The true northerner., 1900-08-17
MILDRED'S SNAPSHOT.


'Oh, pshaw! You're too mean for any
thingi"
Tom Gillespie turned and beheio
about ten feet distant very Joiiy-
looking girl, who held camera. ana
whose evident design had been to choose
him as a subject for a snap shot.
II think you're the mean one. sara
Tom: "you nearly made me tumbleF
And did l mover"
We'll, to tell the truth. I was ana
you did" replied the unheralded ar
rival. II want IT for mamma, ana IL
was such a aovedy chance. You don't
care. do your
"carer' laughed Tom; "of course
notl I'll sit anyway you want me 10 II
you'n send me one of the pictures
"oh. goody; I'll do that!" eagerly
agreed the tiny photographers. Can
make two?"
"All you wish my dear" promptly
consented Tom. But what may DE
your name?"
Mildred Wells, and mamma's name
is 'Dearie' Wells. We're only mere ior
the summer, you know. We go nome
next month and maybe The winter weA
go 10 California. Have you ever been
to California;"
NO" said Tom. 'I haven't but
I'm going some day"
Wouldn't 1t be jolly If we coulo meet
out there?" chattered Mildred Il ike
you. Mamma'd like you, too, L guess
Now sit around on that stump again.
just as you were before. and put your
pipe in your mouth. There, that's the
way! Now, just minute and III get
you all right. My, but that's ine'
A few days later, as Tom Gillespie
sorted his mail, somewhat aimlessly'
his Indifference suddenly vanished as
he picked up an envelope on which was
scrawl ed full copy OF his business
card. and in addition The caution, For
nobody but Mr.. Gillespie" Tom drew
forth a letter and a crrmpled and spot
ted picture, which ne Immediately rec
ognized as that of himself on the stump.
Then he read the epstle. 1t ran:
Mr.. Gnespie-I promised you pic
ture, and here il is. Two were bad ana
and one was good This was sOoc.
made it this morning on one Of the
only two pieces Of printing paper had
l thought it was fine until / showed ii
10 "Dearie," my mamma. II made her
cry The spots on il are her tears. she
just said Tom" and then she cried
all over it, and you see how she spoiled
f@ on
her on the only piece Of printing paper
l have left. She says she Will keep 1t
as long as she lives. When I get more
paper maybe I'll send you a better one.
I also inclose a little picture Of "Dearie"
sitting on the house-block, so you can
see what she looks like. I made it.
Isn't she sweet? l shall keep your card
a long time, for l like you very much.
Your little friend. MILDRED WELLS
Tom. whose fingers now trembled
took from the envelope the hitherto
overlooked picture OF "Dearie. Tine
effect Of his first glance was startling.
His pipe dropped from his mouth and
ne flung himself back in his chair.
Great heaven-Laura! At last! At
last" he exclaimed.
tom, can you forgive me-
Could he? II looked as if he did when
ten seconds later Mildred danced up and
down as Tom, kneelng at "Dearies'
side. brought 'the pretty head around
and then gave proof in such a way
that Mildred cxcitedly shouted
That's right Kiss her! She can't
help herself. Amt he lovely, "Dearie?'
Nov you go and get your camera
and make our pictures, said Tom 70
Mildred. as he settled himself in the
hammock by "Dearie's" side.
Tom came very often 10 the farm
during the next few weeks. There had
been cases like il before and probably
will be again. When. fifteen years
previously, Laura Hale. 20 please her
parents refused to marry Tom Gillespie
and became the wife OF Willis Wells,
Tom nearly heartbroken, had left her
side to hope and wait. believing that
her love was still for him, a then al
most penniless lawyer For years he
had managed TO at least know where
she was, though he never trusted him
self TO see her face. Then their paths
drifted apart until Toms fishing-rod
and Mildred's camera brought them to
gether Chicago News.