The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-22

dignity as she spoke. though her eyes
were downcast, "and / had my own
reasons for that. l don't expect you
to understand-it isn't necessary that
you should. But it is necessary that
/ should ask your pardon for making
you so much trouble. -"
Aunt Lettyl" said the girl quietly,
and Letitie looked up. She was hold
ing out her arms and smiling a little,
tremulous smile Of tenderness and
comprehension that made further
speech unnecessary.
Letitia ran to her with low cry.
Child" she said.
Aunt Lettyl" repeated the girl.
And they held each other close.
"You see, dear" Letitia said pres
entity. sitting up again with wet eyes,
Il couldn't tell that it would come out
that way. That's the queer part Of
things-you never can tell how they're
going to come out. They may begin
with such simple thing-like Just
making a pie-and then before you
know it you find yourself in some trou-
bic you never dreamed of; never mind.
Do you feel rested, my dear? Or would
you like to take another nap2"
Lefty did not reply Immediately.
Her eyes were downcast, and she was
lingering. absently, a ribbon at the
waist Of her aunt's light gown.
Aunt Letitia," she said, slowly,
you said-you had your own reasons,
you know. 1t pleased you, didn't it, to
do it for-Mr. Hollister?"
why, yes" saio Letitia, flushing
family. She drew away a little, but
Lefty held her fast with clinging fin
gers.
''You-do like him very much?" she
breathed.
"Of course / do" Letitia answered,
with a little wounded pride and dig
nifty in her gentle voice. HE is my
minister, and | have the greatest re-
spect and Oh, not tbatl" she
cried. mot that, my dear! Why,
am an old woman-almost-a he
how could you think of such thing,
Lefty? 1t was altogether different
from that. J. couldn't expect you to
understand, but it was quite, quite diff
ferent. never reamed-I-Lettyl
She stopped suddenly, and bent for
ward to look at the girl. "LettyI"
There was new wonder, tenderness
and authority in her tone. And under
her compelling eyes the color began
t rise in Letty's fair cheeks and over
her white brow, slow, reluctant, lovely
as the dawn. Wave on wave it rose
until all her young throat and bosom
were flooded with the warm crimson
'Lettyl" said Letitia again, her glance
still close upon the consciocs face.
And Lefty lifted her eyes.
Then, in the strange pang Of JOY
and pain that pierced her heart. lie
titia saw her life stand before hel
suddenly in a new light. The new ten
derness and sympathy waking within
her, sweet, wonderful, for this young
creature wavering on the threshold O
nupICAuC CApSAtCnCCs lAC new oCHoC "
understanding and oneness with hel
sisters. her nearest, her dearest
these opened wide the door Of hei
heart and filled it, full to overfiowing
with the deep and vital consciousness
for which she had 90 vaguely longed
These were her opportunities-hSs
were, for her, the real things of exper
ience. love, pain, devotion, sacrifice
and joy, with which to feed the un
satisfied capacity and longing of he,
soul A narrow stream may yet rul
deep and bear a noble traffic on it
breast. These were her treasures
this, her life. She drew a long, sof
sigh, and STOPPING gathered Lett
close without a word.
And then the door-bell tinlxled sharp
ly, imperiously, and voice, deep ant
gentle, sounded below in the little hall
Il came to ask about the ladies' whit
gave themselves so rash a wetting yes
terday," said the Rev. Ephraim Hollis
ter. Are they at home? And coult
/ see Miss Letitia--or Miss Letty?"-
Ladies World.