The bee., 1908-01-16
ALMEDA'S
FAD,
tcopyrlght.l
BY Mrs. r. N. Howard

Miss Almeda herself was. the least
commonplace Of all, bright-eyed. i'm
perious little woman, with the dear
est, brightest smile and the warmest,
kindest heart az its motive power.
On this particular morning she was
eating her BREAKFAST hearty, com
Portable one. with the various courses
within easy reach OF her ten active
maids, the Singers.
don't coms 20 the once very often"
said q small voice. following a timid
knock, whieh Miss Almeda had not
heard n her absorbed attention TO her
breakfast, and little Tommy Tinker
laid an ofacial looking letter. ad-
dressed IN typewriting, beside Miss
AlmedA,s plate
WEI, wen" she exclaimed, taking
II by ths corners and peering at Il
suspicb0usly, as II suspecting dyna-
mite. who can have written to me
In machine vritingi"
Miss Almeda read the letter. her
brows knitting and her lips pickering
with the surprise OF the most remark
able communication she had ever re-
ceived.
Well, / do declared" she said al
length N bewildered tone. Who'd
ever. a.thought it,"
The letter told of the death OF an
eccentric old relative. who had not
only died. but had left her sole heiress
of large property.
You'd better run along now, Tom
my Tinker; your ma will be wanting
you most likely" suggested Miss Al.
media, who wished to be alone and
have the opportunity to think over
this stupendous change which had
come TO her-she who had never pos
sessed $40 In her life without the ne
,cessity Of applying the closest econo-
my to its use
There II was in plain language, the
copy of the will. Il will and bequeath
to my step-niece. Almeda Brown" but
the interesting clause followed later.
convinced that she Will make Of It
good and humane use, instead Of
throwing It away on fripperies and
nonsense"
She went about in a dazed sort OF
way all day. and not until evening did
definite plan OF action suggest itself
TO her bewIldered mind.
"I'll 90 down to New, York on
visit TO Cousin Arson. I've always
wanted TO zee the city, and Jane and
used to be real chummy together when
we were girls. Arson n my cousin
on pas side, and there can't be any
feeiing about the will. because Uncle
Jeffries was connected by marriage on
mas side OF the house. Arson is
real good business man I've heard, and
j need hts advice"
A week later and Miss Almeda was
taking her breakfast In New York, at
most unearthiy hour. according to
her country notion, and VITA xnaccus-
toned spiendor, though whom the sle-
sanee was siftsd Il consisted mainly OF
silver and cut glass. with several very
prim servants, who eyed the visitors
up country ways and dress with
curious interest.
~of course you will come 10 town
now and enjoy life." said Cousin An
son, after the last course was served
and the three were alone you have
been mewed up in that little country
town altogether too long"
when we have urged you so, again
and again, TO visit US" added Jane re-
proachfully Cousin Almeda with q
fortune was a very different person
from plain, penniless Almeda, although
Jane herself d:d not realize the dis
tiBetion which had so suddenly arisen.
and believed herself really sincere.
Miss Almeda smiled. after Gknltting
OK the brows for an instaat Ia an ef-
pleasant to be 30 warmly welcomed.
and she would not harbor \ cynical
thought Il haven't quite decided yet"
she said. slipping her coffee and won
dsring IL she could ever become recon
ciled to city cream. 1T is what have
come to consult you about. Arson. /
want to look around and make up my
mind leisurely as 10 my future
course"
Cousin Jane was skilled In the art
OF polite entertaining, and she gave
a tea and a musicale. a correct and
stately dinner party in honor OF the
guest, at all Of which affairs Miss Al
media was introduced TO SO many peo-
pie that she felt as II there was a
wheel in her head, buzzing out names
unfortunately
They shopped until she was Devil
dered with the possibilities for spend
ing money, and resigned herself into
the hands Of her hostess TO be arrayed
Nike Solomon or the lilies. as she
thought proper.
She was beginningfto weary OF city
hfs. and to long for her little brown
eettaGe. with It's newly shihglsd roof,
and the simple companaonship OF her
eat and dos.
in the succeeding days Miss AL
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