The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-12-16

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TcT best years TO his Queen
and has country. but can offer you an
unfailiug and respectful DEVOTION
Miss Priscilla Bentley dropped a
letter into her lap and covered two
smooth, pretty pink cheeks with her
thin hands. The man with whom she
had played when her soft gray hair
stuck straight out from her head in
Il stiff little brown plait and been back
in the old home just month now, and
tEey had met after lapse of forty
years. and he hGd-remembered
"Thank you" she whispered-but
very shyly. and as If even this tacit
admission Of q satisfied want was n
thing umnaidenly and blameworthy
'Oh. God. thank YOU"
And then she crossed the room to an
oid-fashloned bs'.sau and took up a
penhoider with shaking hand.
"You've been overtirln' yourself,
can see" said one Betsy Briggs, ms
her mistress walked into her little
hall an hour or so later.
mot at all. Betsy" said Miss Pris-
ella, brightly. Il may be n trlfle
flushed wi(h the heat. perhaps. II
had an important letter 20 post. and
always feel more satisfied If letter
is posted at the general Office than in
pillar box"
'Humph." sail the privileged old
servant. There has been a boy both
erin here for letter lie said he'd left
for you this afternoon. instead of ut
No. j. | said could give no answer
ill you come in. I'm sure there's been
more muddleS since that there young
Miss Bentley settled ten doors lower
down than yOu could count in q month
OF Sundays. She a,e your bit Of sole
last Thursday week. and never a
you'll 90 and Sit down, mum. and Ill
take your boots or
- notc-dellvcred ly hand. Betsy?
But it wasn't q mistake. Tit can't
be-
Betsy smiled.
well. the boy said he'd got orders
u take II on to No. -. immediate. and
scoldin' from his master into the bar
gain. told i'm. bless me. I'll make
yGu cup OF tea in two minutes. Miss
Prissie."
Miss Priscilla'' cropping hand had
gripped hard. iorry one. IS though
TO save herself from falling.
I'm all right. BetSy'-;lere was n
strange, pi.e)rS expression in her
blue eyes-"quite r!eh;. Yes. I'll 20
and sit down Iut don't want any
tea. or-Or ts be disturbed for half an
hour. please. Betsy"
She passed on 10 her small sun
bathcd sitting room aai closed its
door behind her.
Miss Bentley. Why. Of course. She
had seen Major Dun walking with her
after church on Sunday. Such Il
young, 1retiy woman. too-AIlss Pris.
ella put out her hands with an odd.
involuntary gesture, as though she
were avoiding blow. And then she
remembered the letter she had posted
nm hour before and they flew to her
face, and she covered In her chair
with the shame and the hurt of il all
little. shrunken old woman who had
told man, wanting none Of her, that
she loved hi1,.
That evening tie somewhat urwill.
ing Betsy set out to deliver a letter
which hnd been penned three times
over before It's characters were firm
enough TO satisfy the writer.
Dear Major Dun.' II ran-
Il Rave sent on your letter. which
was left here iy mistake to Miss Pen.
eiope BENTLEY. ! was always the mis-
rhievious one IN the oil days. dcal
friend. but by this time you will Jus
be having a good laugh over the jok.
which naughty old woman could no
resist playing upon you In pretend
Ing that she had applied its contents
10 herself. II really was too bad o
her. Please forgive her. and accep
very warm wishes for your happiness
from your sincere old friend
Priscilla Bcrt.oy."
Miss Priscilla peered between th
laths OF her blind with dim. scare,
eyes until Eetsy's thick-set figur
passed out by the garden gate. An
then Pie got down on her knees. sh
had told her first lie. but someho,
there WAS very Diuch in connection
with Il to explain to God.
-Buf. bless my soul. Prlscilla.-I ma,
say Priscilla now. suppose:" Al
excIfable white-haired man wa
tramping Miss Bentley's sitting room
blowing his nose violently the while
I'm ashamed OF you, And that girl
q jewel! I've good mind"--he sho
cut projecting arm which gave tn