Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16
Story


"'DEAREsT-I have loved you since you
came into my life, just six weeks ago tonight
Don't YOU remember the quilting party at
Beemans Cove, sweetheart: Since that night.
nv heart has been utterly yours. Have you
not read the love for YOU that | could not keep
out of my heart and my eyes, dear: do not
know vet how this will reach YOU but you Will
get it. Will YOU be my wife my darling'
Tomorrow | will come to hear your answer:
"'ANsoN BURCHARD.
suppose you notice that he mem
tons the quilting party at the Cove that
YOU did not 60 to she remarked as she
slipped the fatal letter into her pocket.
Your letter, indeed It's lucky for
everybody that l got hold of my own
property before you openly accepted a
lover who did not offer himself, And,
Kiddv, she laughed such a cruel laugh
think | could almost have killed her
for it.
Yes, it was clearly for her, not me.
| remembered the quilting party and
how | had stayed away to take care OF
old Peter Foy who had been run over by
the train and who wanted me. l re-
nembered how Arson had asked me to
90. and how l had told him l could not
because poor old Peter would not let any
one but me stay by him when the surgeon
from Boston came l remembered how
hard it was to say no to him. Yes, it
was all clear now. | had put out my hand
to take announcer ) ndppllleSS liiiih my
heart died then, kiddy. 1t seemed to
me that the world had suddenly stopped.
The ticking of the clock in the corner
seemed loud and discordant.
II put out nv hand and steadied my
self on the dressing table. The face re-
hected in the little mirror was no longer
pretty. 1t was drawn and old and thin
Take your letter, Cousin Marian, L
said steadily. I've found out your little
secret by a clever trick. l guess I'm not
the only fool the moon is shining on to-
night You and Arson have my best
wishes hope you will forgive my little
ruse. Now go to bed, please, for am
red and sleepy
BOD night. Mettie,' she said rather shame
Do YOU know five minutes ago l could
worm YOU loved Arson Burchard. You are
eerest girl ever saw Good night
went out and closed the door, and Il
down and PRAYED to God to let me die. But
Mt; He knew best The next day mother
O me and said, Arson Burchard wants to
/. Mehitabel.
ou tell Marian to 60 in. mother l answered.
st wants to know about note he gave me
her. Tell him I'm too busy to see him now.
ell remember that day
Mehitabel shivered as she spoke. and Captain
rubbed his face with his right front paw
isly.
en- continued Miss Mehitabel, 1.-TWO weeks
e went away to college, ana never saw Illli
Marian? Marian married and went West
: old set have passed on, kiddy only you
are left But we won't be lonely and selfish.
;? can look back now and see how If it had
and l had had the warmth and the
ne | might not have been so useful as I've
Old maids have their places too, though the
has jest at them-good natured, but jest,
low, for the woman who has never had hus-
Or child We know differently about them.
don't we? We know it is beautiful to have
neself pure and true to ones ideal love all
h the lonesome years That was just a
liddv, that fell down on your fur. Sometimes
help thinking of the pain and then the drearl-
all these long years; but am just foolish
man of forty, and
mock at the door interrupted Miss Mehltabel'
and Captain Kidd stood with his back up
tly as she opened the door: Mrs. Baxter
ndladv stood on the threshold.
ere's been an accident, Miss Mehitabel., she
and a young lady's been pitched
the sleigh right here by the door. They are
lg her into the living room down stairs The
octors coming, and please won't you come
and help me out? | am fustered.
Baxter did indeed appear flustered as she