Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-09

pearls. But-half the of them were
mine, from our mother, and although |
had wanted pearl ring all my life,
have never had one. I am going to
buy me hat, instead Of bonnet, and
clothes. and pretty things under
meath, and a switch; Margery, have
wanted switch for thirty years.
II suppose Letitia will never want
me back. Perhaps I shall not come.
/ tried to write to her when l was
leaving, but had cut my hand in the
attic, where I had hidden away my
clothes, and it bled on the paper.
have worried since for fear your Aunt
Letitia would find the paper in the
basket, and be alarmed at the stains.
l wanted to leave things in order
please tell Letitia-but l was so
j rvous, and in such hurry. walk
ed three miles to Wynton and took q
street car. I just made up my mind
i was going to do 1t. am sixty-hve'
and it Is time have chance to 40
the things like.
4 came in on the car, and came d.
rectly here. l got in with the second
key on your key-ring. Did YOU miss
1t? And I did the strangest thing IN
Bellwood l got down the stairs very
quietly and out on the porch. set
down my empty travelling bag-I was
going to buy everything new In the
city-to close the door behind me.
Then was sure heard some one at
the side Of the house, and picked 1t
up and ran down the path in the dark.
"You can imagine my surprise when
l opened the bag this morning to find
I had picked up Harrys. I am empty
ing it and taking it with me, for he has
mine.
If you find this right away, please
don't tell Sister Letitia for q day or
two. shall send her present from
Boston to pacify her. and perhaps
when I come back in three or four
months, she will be over the worst.
II am not quite comfortable about
your father, Margery. He Is not like
himself. The last time saw him he
gave me little piece of paper with a
number on 1t and he said they follow
ed him everywhere, and were driving
him crazy. Try to have him see a
doctor. And left bottle of complex
ion cream in the little closet over my
mantel, where I had hidden my hat
and shoes that l wore. Please des-
troy it before your Aunt Letitia sees
it,"
"Good-by, my dear niece. suppose
l am growing frivolous in my old age,
but am going to have silk Innings in
my clothes before die.
'Your Loving Aunt Jane"
When Margery stopped reading,
there was an amazed silence. Then
we all three burst into relieved. I'M
controlled mirth. The dear, little, old
lady with her new independence and
her sixty-five year old, romantic,
starved heart!
Then we opened the packet, which
was a sadder business, for it had rep
resented Allan Flemihg's last clutch
at his waning public credit.
Edith ran to the telephone with the
news for Fred, and for the first time
that day Margery and I were alone.
She was standing with one hand on
the library table; in the other she held
Aunt James letter, half tremulous,
wholly tender. put my hand over
hers, on the table.
"Margery!" said. She did not stir.
MdISSIy, 1 WALL lily 6uSW uCdI
l love you-love you; 1t isn't possible
to tell you how much. There isn't
enough time in all existence to tell
you. You are mine, Margery-mine
You can't get away from that"
She turned, very slowly, and looked
at me with her level eyes. "Yours!"
she replied softly. and l took her in
my arms.
Edltn was still at the telephone.
II don't know" she was saying.
"Just wait until see"
AS she came toward the door, Mar
gerry squirmed, but held her tight.
In the doorway Edith stopped and
stared: then she went swiftly back to
the telephone.
Eyes. DEAR she said sweetly.
.They are, this minute"
The End.