Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-09-08

But II was not until the exercises"
were over and Ellen and her grand.
father were straying about the pleas
ant grove preparatory to leaving for
the station that the old man started
forward with a smothered exclama-
ton:
"Mary-Mary Strode!' he ejaculat-
ed, holding out both his hands.
why, Jairus Brown. can this be
your" said a white-haired woman,
whose brown eyes, sad with hope de-
ferred, still held youthful sparkle In
their clear depths, and whose patient
mouth still kept its old, humorous
curve.
The old captain was trembling with
emotion. but all he said was: II could
"a vowed that nobody but you made
them chess cakes, Mary-I used to
try to get my wife and daughter to
make 'em for me, but somehow they
could never get the hang Of 1t, though
/ told 'em they want made o. nothin'
but brown sugar and butter and eggs
and pie crust"
Mary Strobe laughed. Il pity any
woman tryin' to follow a recipe from
a mans say-so," she said gayly. "Of
course, that's all that's in them, but
they've got to be made just so.
First" she continued, with an alb
sorption in her subject that showed
the true artist, you've got to line
some patty-tins with good, rich paste.
And then take some brown sugar that
amt too light nor too dark and mix It
with some good sweet butter and the
yolks of four to six eggs, just ac-
cordin' to the amount you're maxim,
and fill the patty-tins most full and
beat the white o. the eggs with some
granulated sugar and spread over the
top and bake till the cakes is a nice
brown. oh, yes. and be sure not to
forget to put in a good pinch of salt"
We'll, don't know as l did tell 'em
all those particulars" admitted Cap
tain Brown. But how does 1t come,
Mary, that you are here?" he asked,
hesitatingly. "Have-have you given
up hope, at last?"
Il shan't ever give up hope, Jarius,"
she replied. "You know mother had
a letter from General Sheridan him.
self, tellin' us not to give up, that he
didn't believe Jim was dead"
But that was before we parted.
Mary" the old man expostulated. And
afterwards. In his book
Eyes, l know" Mary Strobe said
quickly. But mother never gave up,
not one minute, and I promised her
wouldn't either. But mother-left me,
a few months ago and the doctor said
l must have change. So came here
to visit an old school friend, but / got
one of the neighbors to stay in the
house In case Jim should-and I'm
goin' back tomorrow.
1--we been alone a good many years
now, Mary" Captain Brown said hum
bly,, land 1t will be lonesome for you
now since your mothers gone. Can't
you forgive me for the words said
to you when we parted and let me
wait with you-the rest Of our lives?'
mo, no, Jarius-we're old folks
now" Mary Strobe said deprecatingly,
faint pink creeping over her pale
cheeks
1--WE amt too old to be happy to-
gether," Captain Brown declared
sturdily. Come, Mary, say the word,
and just as soon as can arrange my
ousiness-Ive prospered and we'll
have plenty to make us comfortable
I'll follow you back east and we'll
be married"
The child had been listening, with
a half-wondering, half-comprehending
look on her pretty face, but now she
walled despairingly:
"Oh, grandfather! grandfather-are
you going away from me?"
The old man redeemed boyishly as
he said with an embarrassed chuckle:
Il declare, Ellen, if l hadn't forgotten
all about you!"
Then he added proudly: This is
my little granddaughter, Mary, and
she's about as bright as they make
EN-. Ellen, this lady used to be the
little girl I've told you of so many
lHC lllllC SUI hhdb . Wdlltu lOI
her brother for more'n forty years.
Look up, deary, and speak to her
pretty
But Ellen had hidden her face on
J her grandfather's arm and it was not
until gentle voice said softly: THAT
little girl is an old woman now, dear,
and-and it would make her very hap.
by If you could spare grandfather to
help her watch for the brother who
went away so long ago." that she con.
scented to look up into the dark eyes
smiling down at her.
do you live way. way Off" she
asked doubtfully. do you spose
mother'd let me come visitin' you
and grandfather? l didn't eat but two
chess cakes and grandfather said I've
been a credit to the family"
I'm sure mother'd let you," Miss
Strobe said, again flushing delicately
while Captain Brown nodded a vigor.
GUS assent. And there's a little
room that shall be furnished all in
pink and white and kept for your very
own"
"Oh, goody! goody!" Ellen squealed