The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-10-10
AUNT POLLYS DESCENT
She Was 0Id-Fashioned, But
Knew Cupid's Way.
BY IzoLA FORESTER.

the bell rang, and the postman hand
ed in handful of letters.
six for Geraldine" said Betty, sit
ting down on the stairs. "All valen-
tines. This one feels soft and satiny.
That must be from Mr.. Raleigh
Wish l were engaged. too, SO some
body would send me one like that.
I'll never be II stay here all my
life, playing maid to Geraldine, and
right-hand girl to Aunt Margaret.
wish, II / ever did have one all my
very own, 1t would say on 1t, To Betty
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 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 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
lup from his paper at the quick cry
Of alarmed surprise.
Who's dead, mumsie"
Don't be fiippant, Jack. The shock
Is quite bad enough. l 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."
| What's 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 q bit uuavering and
! uncertain. but he made it out. II was
simple, heartful letter, full of sin.
. cerity, and reaching out after ones
. own people.
r
neep think,ng ns yau and reda tba cb,idrsr daer
, FOR some time. and do want to see
see,n oH oeiore @ tne % Lora tails me nome SO
: thought I'd take time by the fore
t p;n oEK' "a aho - come 20 see see gou' l know yoSS
. my heart strings begin to twangle afteI
!, spnH ,pIne oidsn oL my own hesn ano oiood as
Hoping this finds you all in goot
he1lshi h as Si,r am n,d a, present ana taustine
: Your sister,
3 foily Ann Potter.
| THE letter has been delayed, moth
: er." said Jack. 'It went to the ole
) address first What a bully place she
! lives In, Woodchuck HILL"
/ "She must be sixty-fiye. and moo,
/ as only those human relics draggine
t Iout life In worn-out farm houses car
be. Jack might telegraph her thai
' we were starting to Florida or Ber
!. muda."
t "Oh. nonsense. mumsie. Make the
> old lady comfy. She's only lonesome
' A month here In New York. trottins
/. around with you and Gerry would
> buck her up fine and dandy."
Geraldine came in dressed for he,
, morning walk through the park She
: was a tall, pretty girl. rather pallid
, but sweet faced. and well bred.
, Who's Betty helping out of the
) cab. mother?" she asked at look,
In