The Southern herald., 1912-10-25
AUNT P0LLY'S DESCENT
She Was 0ld-FaShiOned, But
Knew Cupid's Way.
BY IzoLA FORESTER.

ed in a handful Of letters.
six for Geraldine" said Betty, sit
ting down on the stairs. IAN VAlen-
tines. This one feels soft and satiny.
That must be from Mr.. Raleigh
Wish ! were engaged. too. so some
body would send me one like that
Ill never be If l stay here all my
life, playing maid to Geraldine, and
righthand girl to Aunt Margaret.
wish, if / ever did have one all my
very own, It would say on 1t, To Betty
from Jack"
The last was in a whisper. Be
hind her came Aunt Margaret down
stairs, eyeglasses at the proper an
gle. serene and well poised as al
ways.
Don't neglect the corners, Betty,
she said. pleasantly. Has the mail
arrived? Oh, yes. For Gertrude!
How popular and loved the child is"
Certainly" said Betty. vigorously
attacking the broom once more.
Don't be ungenerous, even In
thought Betty. You had better oil
the staircase too, today"
Betty stood still for a moment, look
ing after her aunt, but Mrs. Potter
crossed the hall. and went into the
dining room to her late breakfast.
Jack was Just finishing his. With
the morning paper propped before
him, he wished his mother a perfume
tory greeting. and went on reading.
Mrs. Potter opened her mail. One let
ter attracted her attention. 1t was
curious letter. The envelope was
long and narrow and OF thin, pale
blue paper, with a sort OF checkered
effect She opened it. and glanced
over the first page, and Jack looked
up from his paper at the quick cry
of alarmed surprise.
Who's dead, numsie?"
Don't be flippant, Jack. The shock
is quite bad enough. have a letter
from your fathers sister Polly. A
most impossible sort Of an old per-
son, Jack. have not seen her in
over fifteen years, not since your
father made his fortune out Of Pot
ter's Pure Pellets. She lived on a
farm somewhere up in Connecticut.
Your father was born there, but he
got away from the environment as
soon as he could fairly toddle."
Whats the old lady writing to you
for?"
Heaven only knows. And she calls
me dear sister Maggie. Jack, no
body ever called me Maggie, except
ing her"
Jack laughed, and took the letter
The writing was bit quavering and
uncertain, but he made 1t out. 1t was
a simple, heartful letter, full of sin
certify, and a reaching out after ones
own people.
Dear Sister Maggie" It read, IT have
been thinking Of you and the children
for some time, and l do want to see
you before the Lord calls me home. So.
seeing as you weren't given to visiting.
] thought I'd take time by the fore
lock, and come to see you. l know you
will be surprised, but life is short. and
my heart strings begin to twangle after
some Of my own flesh and blood as
grow older
Hoping this finds you all in good
health, as l am at present, and trusting
to be In your midst shortly. / remain.
Your sister.
polly Ann Potter"
"The letter has been delayed, moth
err" said Jack. 1T went to the old
address first. What bully place che
lives in, Woodchuck HILL"
She must be sixty-five, and pool
as only those human relics dragging
out life in worn-out farm houses car
be, Jack. l might telegraph her that
we were starting to Florida or Ber
muda."
"Oh, nonsense, mumsie. Make this
old lady comfy. She's only lonesome
A month here in New York, trottini
around with you and Gerry would
buck her up fine and dandy"
Geraldine came in dressed for hel
morning walk through the park. Sh'
was a tall, pretty girl. rather pallid
but sweet faced, and we'll bred.
Who's Betty helping out of tn,
cab, mother?" she asked 1T look
ike Noah's great-grandmother."
Jack, am going to faint" ex
claimed Mrs. Potter.
Buck up, mumsie, and be decent,
warned Jack, as he opened the door
and faced Betty, loaded with two
large covered baskets, and an ancien
black leather travelling bag. Betty'i
face was radiant.
Here's Aunt Polly!" she an
nounced.
Behind her stood the oldest figure
AS Geraldine said afterwards, she di,
not think there were any people Iik,
Aunt Polly left In the world. Tai
and spare, head well up, with a wide
genial smile that took in all creation
in its approval, she had happy gra,
eyes and crinky gray hair parted IL
the middle and drawn down over he
ears.
well, how are you, folks?" sh,
exclaimed. her voice trembling will
tears. BLESS my heart and soul. IT.
SO good to see you ALL How you
chicks have grown, sister. Beel
a'feedln' them the pellets reguIar?
apattv toka vour a,nt'o ronoois -.