The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-14
AUNT pOLLY'S DESCENT
She Was 0Id-Fashioned, But
Knew Cupid's Way.
By izOLA FORESTER.

by lG0lN : N,
Betty was So, ping me hall whel
the bell ra.lg, ;ld the pCslman hand
ed in q handful If letters.
six for Geraldine" said Betty, sit
ting down on the stairs "All valen
tines. This one feds soir ard satiny
That must be liam Mr.. Raleigh
Wish | were enga5 ed, too, SO soVe
body would send ne one like that
I'll never be if ] stay here all IN!
life, playing maid TO Geraldine, ant
right-hand girl to Aunt Margaret.
wish, if | ever did have one all my
very own. it would say on it, TO Bett!
from Jack.
The last was in whisper Be
hind her came Aunt Margaret down
stairs, eyeglasses at the proper an
gle, serene and we'll 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
inU of np hut
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 perfume
tory greeting, and went on reading.
Mrs. Potter opened her mail One let.
ter attracted her attention. It was a
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, mumsie?"
Don't be iiippani, Jack The SHOCK
is quite bad enough have a letter
from your fathers sister Polly. 4
most impossible sort OF an old per
son, JacE. | have not aoeA her in
over fifteen years, nol since your
father made his fortune on of Pot
tors Pure Pellets. s;hr lived on a
farm somewhere NJ in Connocticut
Your father was born there, bit Ne
got away from the environment as
soon as he could fairly toddlc"
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 it out. 1t was
simple, heartful letter, full of sin
certify. and IA reaching out after ones
own people.
"Dear Sister Maggie" it read. Il have
been thinking of You and the children
for some tine. and ! do want To see
you before tho Lord calls me home. So,
seeing as you weren't given to visiting,
thought I'd take timc by the fore
lock. and come to see YOU. | know you
will be surprised. but life il short. and
my heart strings begin to twangle after
some u my own flesh and blood as
grow older
Hoping this ands you all in good
health, as | am at present. and trusting
to be- in Your midst shortly. ! remain,
Your sister.
foliy Ann Potter
The letter has been delayed, moth
err" said Jack. 1T went to the old
address first. What bully place she
lives in. Woodchuck Hill"
She must he sixty.tive. and poor
as only those human relics dragging
out life In WORKOUT farm houses can
be. Jack. might telegraph her that
We were starting to Florida or Ter
muda."
"Oh, nonsense. mumsie. Make the
old lady comfy. She's only lonesome.
A month here in New York. trotting
around with YOU and Gerry would
buck her up fine and dandy"
Geraldine came in dressed for her
morning walk through the park. She
was tall. pretty girl. rather pallid.
but sweet faced. and well bred
Who's Betty helping out OF the
cab. MOTHER" she asked. 1T looks
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 ancient
black leather travelling bag. Betty's
face was radiant.
Here's Aunt Polly" she an.
nounced.
Behind her stood the oldest figure.
As Geraldine said afterwards, she did
not think there were any people like
Aunt Polly left in the world Tall
and spare. head well up. with a wide.
genial smile that took in all creation
In its approval, she had happy gray
eyes and crinky gray hair parted in
the middle and drawn down over her
ears.
Well. how are you. folks" she
exclaimed. her voice trembling with
tears. Bless my heart and soul, it's
so good to see you all. How your