The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-07-24

And I began to defy it," answered Aunt Eliza shortly.
 Uncle Thomas cast pitying glance 1 at her. which took in the red roses on | the shade hat She saw the direction , of his eyes.
 T hate purple" she exclaimed def antly. You are thinking that ought to wear it. But. no, Thomas; never will-not if live to be hundred. f Purple and old age have no place in my heart. may decide to be laid out in a pink shrOud" Uncle Thomas looked very grim.
 Tt is not the only way in which you show signs of childishness," he said i sonorOusly.
 Aunt Eliza walked up to the edge of ! the piazza and looked up into his face angrily. "You-you look like Father Time, Thomas. Where is your ecythe?" she retOrted maliciOusly.
 Alicia arose and went up stairs to her room and wept. "oh dear this is i dreadful she cried. Will We talk 1 that way to each other?" She was ln- terrupted by a sharp rap at the door. | Come in." she said in decided tones. { T want you to promise me that you will never marry
 Oh, dear," cried Alicia with fresh sob.
 T mean it." replied her aunt, firmly. | ''All that I have in the world will De yours, so you will have plenty to live on-and as for love, love is tSe most foolish thing in the world. Never let me hear of your being in love- Ali cias shoulders shook in anguish, and she pressed her handkerchief to her eyet.
 You see how it is to live with man when he gets old" said Aunt Eliza. What do you think of me, my ehiidE
 "I think you are beautiful, dear Aunt Eliza" cried Alicia, in a burst of anger. against her uncle. You lcok thirty years younger than Uncle Thomas. Give me your handkerchief minute-tAere, just triie too much pink on this cheek! How sweet and sensible people were when they pow dered their hair and wore patches and rouge. And what beautiful gowns you have, Aunt Eliza"
 Yes. dear," answered Aunt Eliza, notified And a nice waist, too, All cia. That is because I always sit up very straight. I never let myself lean against anything. Always sit up straight and have a good time, and never have any sorrow at your heart that you cannot dance off at your heels. used to be a great dancer. I never missed a ball. You must take all the pleasures in life that you can get, and never fall in love-"
 No" said Alicia faintly. It was lunch time, and the three sat silently and politely at the table. Ali cia ate listlessly the food before her, and wondered how she could endure another day of her visit. It seemed to her 1t might be her own life long years aheead, which was rising up to show itself.
 Into this frozen, unhappy atmosphere there suddenly entered the sound of a bella jangle of a, doorbell. The maid left the room, and when she came back she had letter in her hand. 1t is for you, Miss Alicia she said, handing 1t to Alicia with ar; air of importance" |"
 And it is special delivery letter, too."
 At sight of the writing the color surged up into Alicia's face.
 Dear mel" exclaimed Aunt Eliza. "A. special delivery! Open it, child, quick, I am afraid something is wrong at home."
 "A special delivery letter." repeated Uncle Thomas. Well, well! hope nothing has happehed."
 Alicia took it up.
 It is nothing, I khow," she said Iame- ly. At least, I think it is just from a friend"
 Well, it must be about something important" said Aunt Eliza decisively
 Alicia tore it open and drew it from the eenvelope. She read the first few lines and she felt that her cheeks were burning. ..s Ma chetrie," the letter ran, "vous savez que je ne puis pas vous appeler autrement-" ,A :.-- "well!' said Aunt Eliza, interroga- lively. -. Tt is in French" she answered , "Just from a friend, you know.''
 Tn French" repeated Aunt Eliza slowly. "Is your friend French?" "Oh. no. He-he just likes to write in French" She handed the letter to Aunt Eliza suddenly. You can read it. if you like,' she said tremulously,
 Aunt Eliza held the letter before heI and read aloud in smooth, even French:
 "'Ma cherie: Vous savez que je ne puis pas vous appeler autrement. Vous ne pouvez pas du tout vous imaginer tout ce qui passe per ma tete a votre , sujet. Caque matin, avant d'etre ) rentre du pays res reves.' Why it is a , love letter in French" She turned to Uncle Thomas with 8 sudden deer pink flush on her cheeks and 8 far away look in her eyees. q had one once," she said slowly.
 Uncle Thomas face changed sudden ly. "so you had," he answered with equal slowness.
 "A sweet love letter in French" re.