The Caucasian., 1911-05-28

50 respondent that Jared noticed it.
Are you sfek?'' he asked.
No., She said duly.
Don't seem to be acting very peart."
ne remarked as he went out.
Meanwhile the letter had sped on its
way and brought first wrath, then gen
ulne sympathy and appreciation. to Sis
ter Ellen.
Poor Mary!' she sighed. "She has
not had an easy life. but it is hard to
get away from farm. Now. let me
see''
She evolved plan. called a family
council and eventually wrote letter
There" she said placidly, wiping
her glasses. II hope Mary will like
my plan. She was always a great
one to make believe"
After a week had gone past Mrs.
Brown tried to make herself keep away
from the mail box at the front gate,
but in vain. She watched daily for
the carriers coming, and when he had
gone past she plodded out to the gate.
| Her heart stood still when she saw
letter. She picked it up. Is was
the letter. It seemed to her that her
heart would have broken if it had
been anything else. She, could hardly
walk back to the house and sank
breathless on the lowest step.
She was to visit Ellen first. the letter
read. then letter would come telling
her whom she should visit next, and
$50 on. Thus there would be some
thing for her to look forward to.
/ There were great many do you re-
members following the. business part
Of the letter. and Mary Brown laughed
tsoftly to herself.
The hungry clatter of chickens and
pigs reused her at last The rapt eX-
preston faded from her face, and she
Hooked anxiously at the setting sun.
Mercy" she calculated IT'S get
ting late, Shoe, there. Pm coming to
feed you now
The next morning she arose with a
feeling of elatien.
.sNow am visiting Ellen" she
thought happily ELLEN had pancakes
for breakfast when l was there be
fore.
Mrs Brown had pancakes for break
fast, served with the best sirup. and
she beamed upon Jared in way that
made him feel uncomfortable.
AT noon she had fried chicken. and
Jared watched her in astonishment as
she helped herself to one of the choic-
min
Are you feeling wellg' he asked.
"As well as common. thank you,
she responded in her best company
manner. and Jared pondered in silence
He noticed during the next few days
that things did not seem to run with
their accustomed smoothness. and be
did not understand why it was so
His wife seemed well; in fact, wheT
he took pains to observe her carefully
she looked uncommonly well. He de
cided the trouble lay with himself.
II wish you'd fix me up some bit
tiers, Mary. he said that evening :
don't seem to be feeling just right"
why, certainly. Wil-Jared." Mrs
Brown said cordially. I'D love to
III do it the first thing in the morn
! ing"
Jared had expected instant sympa
! thy and was prepared to give hi
+ symptoms in detail after he had had
little gentle urging. But Mrs. Brow
was visiting William just then, ant
. william had written that his healtl
was fairly good Moreover, she re
membered that William had neve
liked to be fused over. Therefore sh
forbore to ask questions. and Jare'
turned to his paper in disgust
With the morning came a letter
Her mind was filed with pleasant far
cies. and the bitters was forgotten
Jared was indignant He was not &C
eusfometl TO being ignored. and Mrs
Brown was ignoring him. 1t was no
intentional. however. The truth wa
that he simply did not enter into he
present existence.
Her necessary work she CLOSED owe
by pretending to be helping whicf
ever relative she was visiting. an
when that was done she followed bold
II where her fancy led II led her
do many things that puzzled Jared
she walked around imaginary Chi
dren when she worked and crooned
Imaginary babies while she rocked
10 he sure Jared could not know VII
she suddenly swerved from straigf
course in going from one room to al
I other or why she held her arms ]
such a peculiar manner when 81
rocked. It came to him suddenly on
! day that her arms held in such maj
ner might easily enfold child q
walked out to the barn and sat on
empty keg.
: 4Poor Mary he groaned. poor MI
rvt Her mind is going! It's been-it
me see, it's been thirty-five years sine
her baby died. and he was only for
a months old, not old enough FOR her
1 he much attached to him. though 81
did take on considerable at the time
remember. Poor Mary! What am
0 going to do?'
Then. on baking days she made sauc'
7A