Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-20

been one of her ultimate friends In
former years. standing once more on
her doorstep, but she said quite sim.
ply aud cordially:
why. Mary, how do you do? It's
a long time since you've been to see
me-"
No longer than since you've been to
see me-" chided Mrs. Andrews gently,
when she was seated in the coy din.
ing room. But we simply can't get
along without you any longer, Almira.
I've come to get you to help u.s."
When the explanation of the rum
mage sale was finished. Miss Hunter
sat silent in her chair, gazing reflect
lively out across the meadows which
rolled away to the south.
II do not think can come to help
you sell the things. but will rum
mage and send or bring you the
spoils. Will that doi"
And Mrs. Andrews was well content
With her partial victory.
When her visitor had gone, Miss Al.
mira slowly climbed the stairs to her
attic and reluctantly opened trunk
which had long been closed. 1t cost
her pang to look again on these rel
les of happier days. With reyerent
fingers she took out one garment after
another. examined and laid 1t aside.
Here was dress of her mother's-no,
she could not give them that. Here
was the coat her father had Worn in
the war-every thread Of 1t was dear
to the patriotism within her. Here
was dress of her own youth, deli
cate sprlgged muslin; how well she re-
membered the first time she had worn
It'll Caleb had admired 1t and that
night us she stood moment Mt the
gate with him he had touched 1t tim.
Idly, caressingly, and said:
You are prettier than ever tonight.
Mira.
What had come between them? Why
had he never answered her last let
ter7 How happy she had been when
he wrote asking her to be his wife.
She had the letter still, laid away
among her most cherished possessions.
But she never looked at 1t now; there
was no need; every word, even the
shape Of every letter, was engraved
upon her heart.
"Dear Mira" $50 the letter RAM, "you
must know what l tried to find words
to say the last time wermet. couldn't
put 1t aS wanted to then, and, can't
now. so must just tell you that love
you. Mira. darling. love you and
want you to be my wife. Will your
You will thing this short, abrupt let
ter, but when the heart would be most
eloquent the tongue is silent and the
pen refuses to be fluent. Thus 1t Is
with my pen tonight. 1t will write
nothing but what has rung in my
thoughts long, long time; Mira, love
you. ! love you. love you. over and
over again. Write to me- dear, and
tell me, II you can (and oh, hope you
canD, that have not been deceived in
thinking you not quite Indifferent to
me. Yours, for life. death and for
ever, Caleb Thomas"
She had answered his letter. Yes,
the had answered 1t with words that
rame straight from her heart, and told
him OF the love she bore him. and that
she would be proud and happy to be
Ills wife. And-that was all. He had
never written to her again. and when
lie came back to Brentley they had met
is though his letter had never been
written and answered.
She raised her head YEARLY and con-
lnued her search. At last she found
coat that had belonged to her brother
George married now and living In a
listant state), and several other gar
mepts with which she could part, and
making them into Q parcel sent them
With one or two articles Of furniture