The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1910-12-30
BY ESTHER AlDERSnaw

nand-a good looking man Of forty,
perhaps. with a nice smile and a well
shaped head. Evalina liked a man to
have well shaped head. and she
rather liked the looks of this man.
When he spoke she liked the deep
mellow tones Of his voice.
81 am looking for Miss Ward" he
said pleasantly. "ls she at homer
81 am Miss Ward" acknowledged
Evalina. smiling
II was told Miss Ward could supply
me with some homemade bread"
II have wheat. rye and graham"
Evalina opened n glass case that rest
ed on side table and from It's depths
drew forth crisp golden loaf.
"fll take one of EACH" he declared.
Just then there came a querulous
voice from a room beyond the kitchen.
..Evalina, who are you talking toi
You amt got any L.; rs out there.
have your So,
The girl flushed brightly. ard
strange air Of reserve settled over Mar
lovely face 1T is my Great-aunt Har-
|
peculiar. I hope you will not mind
what she said"
"Evahna! That's Tom Taylor's voice.
What's he doin' hereY' Aunt Harrict's
voice shrilled through the rooms.
The man let himself out the door
while Evalina FASTENED to the side of
bedridden Aunt Harriet
"What's Tom Taylor doing here?"
asked the old woman peevishly.
1T wasn't Tom, Aunt Harriet; it
was stranger" explained the girl
with sweet patience.
what you going to give me for sup
per-" With Evalina's help she sat up
while the girl brushed back her scanty
gray locks and Strengthened the bed
clothes.
| "Creamed toast and peaches, some Of
my fresh jumbles and a cup Of tea"
sounds dreadful good, Evalina. I
expect I'm mighty cross to you some
times. You've got the patience Of an
angel, for you amt never Cross" Aunt
| Harriet stretched forth q bony hand
and caressed the girls bright hair. a.
| Evalina bent and kissed aer so4aST
!
Harriet You're all I've got in the
world"
"l'm poor critter." lamented Aunt
Harriet-''not worth my salt. You're
killing yourself baking and brewing
there to make living for us both. 1
wish you'd get married. Evalina."
maybe 1 shall marry a millionaire
| laughed Evalina as she went busily 10
| and fro. "You would like that, aunt,
for I shouldn't do any more baking.
Wouldn't that be perfectly lovely? You
might ride IN an automobile. How
would you like thatr'
II wouldn't like It q mite" said Aunt
Harriet grimly. I'D say to the driver,
You can take me right up to the
graveyard now: I'm bound to get there
II l go riding In IN automobile and
| 80 II there was an accident I'd be
right handy to the Ward plot There,
Evalina. that supper does smell real
tasty. It's shame you don't get mar
rfed. You are a splendid cook, and
some good man would appreciate you"
Aunt Harriet, I believe you might
operate matrimonial bureau. only
please don't practice on me. I'm too
busy to get married"
Evalina hurried away to attend to
her baking. which by series OF acci-
| dents had been delayed until the late
afternoon. AS she hustled to and fro.
putting things to rights. clearing away
| the disorder Of -four and other ingre-
dents. she passed q small mirror hang
ing on the wall.
Dear me!' murmured Evalina. "I
xyn kt.nA "a
my forehead when he was In here.
hope not"
"Evaiina. do come and set me rightr'
called the old lady. "I've eat my sup
per and spilled the tea. and 1 want to
go to sleep"
When Evaiina had cleared away the
supper things and Aunt Harriet had
been tucked under the covers Evaljna
sat long time over her own meal
with soft brown eyes dreamiiy fixed on
the glowing square Of the stove door.
Every day thereafter the strange
man called at Evaiina's house and
bought some product Of her baking.
One day several weeks after the
strangers first visit Aunt Harriet was
left alone In th~ house while Evallna
went to a nearby town to order sup
plies. Late In the afternoon there
came knock at the sitting room door.
"Who is ftr demanded Aunt Har-
rfet shrilly.
II would like some bread. please"
came the meek voice Of the stranger.
'The keys under the mat" called
Aunt Harriet eagerly. "Come right
In"
When the door had opened and clos