The evening Republican., 1902-07-16

there 10 the corner, and it will see m
so heartless and SO lonesome. Ian
worried almost sick. And I have
about made up my mind to have
| Aunt Mary removed 10 another
place. " Then with sudden resolution
she added; 81 will have her moved
"Where?"
II don't know. I must think il
over" and she repeated: II must
think it over"
Curious, isn't it, We should meet
our here" she said. II came to see
how they were keeping Uncle Neu's
grave, and here you are bringing
your sympathies to your Aunt Mary
Did you know that they were very
much in love with each other! AT
least they once were"
Yes she replied. ''But how
did you know?'
He told me. He was very poor,
you remember, and he had long
struggle to get a foothold,
and while he mad no income
he would not speak Of love or of
marriage. Pride, of course. He
worked and worked, and while his
aims were good, his IDEAS sound, it
took long time to mature them.
Wealth did not begin to come until
h's hair was turned gray. Even
he hesitated, and l really do not
know whether he ever told her OF
not that he had carried her face in
| his heart all his life"
'He did tell her. she interrupted 1t
was in u letter, long, beautiful let
ter. 1t was written the day before
he died-he died very suddenly | be.
, lieve. ~
"Yes, heart disease"
"She showed it TO HE, and made
me promise that when she died it
shonld be buried with her."
"What did it say?"
''Do you think | should tell vou?"
"Why not? We are their heirs,
aren't we? He wrote the lettcr;your
Aunt Mary received it, and here we
are knowing most of the story, and
surely we are entitled to know it
all. -
''lt was letter that only a man
OF the finest character and With The
purest love could write. TT was as if
IL life Of Silent devotion was pouring
itself out upon the pages-oh, it Was
beautiful, hcautiful.n
But What did it Sav9'
"lJ said everything that heart
could utter. don recall the words
| only wish that the man | loved or
the man may lealn to love Or
and she ended heIplessly.
The world has seen very few men
equal to Uncle Ned'
Aud very few women equal to
Aunt Mary.'
They were exceptional
Aunt Mary was Your Uucle
Ned had no right to keep her wait
all her life.
Nor to wait himself. lie meant
well, but he was too puncti!ous. "
Then, after il pause: "Anl perhaps
your Aunt Mary did not give him
enough cncoIrlgcnent
:'lt was not her duLy.'
"We!l, please doa't abuse Uncle
Ned"
".And please don't iyou crisicise
Aunt Mary"
There was a short silence. The
sun was getting ueow the horizol.
The workmen were disappearing
over the bill.
'You were not at hon, wl,n 1
called last week.
II was out of the city,"
"Nor the week bcfore'
81 was out at dinner"
Another pause, ard the sun sank
lower
"Did YOU get the howers?'
eyes. They were lovely. | sup
pose YOU got my note.
''Ycs. 1t was quite opportunr.
How so!'
I'VE were just out of ice"
She gave him look Of scorn, and
moved as far to the end of the
bench as she could. But he was
not dismayed. Il beg your parlon.'
he said, but the temptation was
too great, even if the joke wss
wretchel. But what is the use for
us to be going on this way, fencing
with each other! Shall we keep it
up until all the sprinytims OF life
has gone, until the autumn comes,
with it's sere and yellow leaf!'
Il do not expect to bacon, either
sere or yellow she exclaimed very
positively.
Whats the use to ba growing
old fighting each others love, auI
trying to keep down each others
happiness"
Il haven't the slightest idea of
becoming an old maid,' she said,
rather archly.
Not if l can help it, you won't.
Be sure OF that
II really do not see what you
have to do with the case"
Constance ="
Miss Percy, please"
Constance, have an ilel-a
great idea"
"Well:' her curiosity was aroused.
when your Aunt Mary is moved,
put her in the lot beside Uncle Nel,
Nobody need know it-nobody but
you and |, and we can come out to-
gether after we are married and
take care of our good old friends.n
After WHAT"
"Well, both before and after, if |
you prefer, l will do anything l Gun |
to please YOU"