The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-02
White-..Cat. .s----.- -~-
Copyright 1910. by-Bobbs. :
 Merrill Go.

and the flat package out of my pocket. You see, my theory worked out. Here is Aunt Jane, and there is the money from the Russia leather bag"
 laid the packet in Margery's lap and without ceremony opened the let ter. It began:
 My Dearest Niece-I am writing to you because I7cannot think what to say to Sis ter Letitia. am running away! Lam runntng-away! My dear 1t scares me even to write It all alone in this empty house: have had cup of tea out of one of your lovely cups and a nap on your pretty couch, and just as soon as it is dark am going to take the train for Boston. When you get this I will be on the ocean-the ocean, my dear, that I have read about and dreamed about and never seen!
 I am going to realize dream of forty years-moEe than twice as long as you have lived Your dear mother saw the continent before she died, but the things have wanted have always been denied me. have been of those that have eyes to see and see not. So-I have run away. am going to London and Paris and even to Italy if the money your father gave me for the pearls will hold out. For a year now I have been getting steamship circulars, and have taken a little French through a correspondence school. That was why always made you sing French songs, dearie. I wanted to learn the &C., cent. think I should do very well if I could only sing my French instead of speaking it.
 I am afraid that Sister Lesitia discov- cred that had taken some of the pearls. but half Of them were mine, from our mother, and. although had wanted a pearl ring all my life. have never lad one. am going to buy. me a hat instead of a bonnet and clothes and pretty things underneath and a. switch Margery, have wanted a switch for thirty years.
 I suppose. Letitia will never want me back. Perhaps I shall not want to come. tried to write to her when was leaving, but I had cut my hand in the attic, where I had hidden away my clothes, and it bled on the paper. I have been worried since for fears your Aunt Letitia would find the paper in the basket and be alarm cd at the stains. wanted to leave things in order-please tell Letitia-but I was so nervous and ins such a. huTry! I walked three miles to Wyaton and took a street cars just made sup my mind I was go- ing to do 1t. am sixty-hve, and 1t is time I have a chance to. do the things like
 I came in on the car and came directly here. got in with the second key on your key ring. Did you miss it? And did the strangest thing at Bellwood got down the stairs very quietly and out on to the porch. T set down my empty .trayefing bag-I was going to buy every thing new in the Gity-to close the door one at the side 0ff the house, and picked tt up and ran down che path in the dark.
 You can imagine my surprise when I opened the bag this: morning to find had picked+up Harry's! I am emptying 1t and taking 1t with me, tor he has mine.
 If you find this right away, please don't tell Sister Letitia for a day or two. You know how firm your Aunt Letitia is. shall send her present from Boston to panify her. and perhaps when I come back in three or four months she will be over ths worst. Ms
 sI am n0 quite comfortable about your @tffer. Margery# He ise not like himself. The last time I saw him he gave me a Httle piece of paper with number on it. and he said they followed him everywhere and were driving him crazy. Try to have him see a doctor. And Ileft a bottle of complexion cream in the little closet over m1 mantel, where had hiAd en my hat and shoes that wore Please destroy 1t before your. Aunt Letltia sees 1t.
 Goodby, my dear niece! 1T suppose I am growing friSolo,is in: my old age, but I am going to have silk hnings in my clothes before II die z. ~ q sySxs.sg,
 YOUR LOVING AUNT JANE
 When Margery stopped reading there was an amazed silence. Then we all three burst into relieved, uncontrolled 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 sadder business, for it had rep resented Allan FleIning'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 were alone. She was standing with one hand on the library. table. In the other she held