The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-04-07
TIE LAST
LET'ITIA
Ely JEAN FOSTER


got right 10 il"
Lefty laughed, and tried to settle her
pretty head more comfortably into the
new style goose-sirl bonnet she had
just bought In town 1t was most
becoming bonnet, with its soft double
rude Of lace and silk framing Letty's
drown curls. and young face, and its
close fitting, coquettish crown.
Why, don't want it, Auntie." she
said positively Where would Jack
and | put the old desk? It's so big
and clumsy, and we're only taking a
tiye-room apartment to start house.
keeping with. What is it-mahog-
any,
No, answered Aunt Letitia, cheer
fully IT'S cherry, | guess. They
used cherry good deal back up coun-
try when great grandfather was a boy.
He made it himself, Lefty. l always
heard grandmother tell what natural
born cabinet maker he was
Lefty said no more. There was
nothing to say. But she made up her
mind that just as soon as she was mar
ried, aid that old desk had made it's
appearance in Manhattan, via New
Devon. Vermont, she would sell 1t to
the first second hand man who could
appreciate cherry.
It arrived the first week after the
MGR 4 rrL.xy CT - bar
Jack and Letitia, when he came home
at night 1t stood In the little front
room of the tiveroom apartment, and
completely took away the effect Of
Lettys new three-piece mission set,
bookcase and new rug. 1t was just
Gn oid-fashioned cherry desk, with a
bookcase that nearly reached to the
ceiling, and roll top, and drawers on
each side.
we mustn't sell it, sweetheart"
Jack exclaimed positively. IF you
can't find any other corner, stick 1t in
my den, | wouldn't hurt the old lady's
feelings by selling it, don't you know?"
And again Lefty said nothing 1t
was one of her very wisest character
istics, the gift of being able to hold
her peace and not argue when she
saw which way the wind was blowing
The desk was moved into Jacks den,
the little front bedroom that had been
turned into his sanctum 1t took up
nearly all one side Of the wall space,
. and the Morris chair had to come out
into the dining-room, but still Lefty
said nothing
n was along in early summer when
the first streak Of Ill luck came to tho
honeymoon apartment Jack had his
ankle crushed in an elevator down
town, and was at home for weeks
When he was on his feet and at again,
he found his substitute had stepped in
to his shoes. He was an architect by
profession, but very young one, and
the spring rush was already over in
the building line. There came day
in July when the last FIVE had been
drawn from the bank, and the rent
WAS due, and the gas bill, and the ice
bill, and the telephone bill. and all the
other interesting bills.
''Ill get the Duncan job the first Of
August, all right" Jack said, as he lay
stretched out on the Morris chair.
He's accepted my plans, and even IL
it is only small two family place, it's
ready money, pet, don't you known"
I'VE need ready money now" Lefty
responded, smiling bravely. II wish I
could help out
Il suppose Aunt Lefty would let US
come out and stay on the farm dur
ing July, IL we asked her." Jack went
on, but at his first word, Lefty forget
all else. That was the solution, of
course. She would sell the antique
desk at once.
I'm going out, dear, for just lit
tie while" she told Jack. ..
Business, l suppose?" he asked,
with mock severity, when she leaned
over to kiss him. And Lefty said
nothing. ..... s.., ....
But she brought back the dealer In
antiques with her. She knew where to
find him by telephone. Had she not
looked in every antique shop she came
to, ever slnce they had moved to New
York, trying to find out the value Of an
old cherry desk that had been made
, before Washington even cut down his
famous tree ~ t'
please don't scold her. dear,
please" she whispered, DIS she went
by the Morris chair, after confronting
the old German dealer with the desk.
I'VE need the money SO. and 1t really
is genuine antique you know"
And they both had to laugh, in
sheer desperation. SO many times.
they had excused ali other deficiencies
In the old desk by assuring them
selves 1t was genuine antique.
1T is over one hundred and seven
| ty years old" said Lefty
Made by my great-great.great
grandfather" Jack put In, You can
see the date and his initials carved
In the wood on the back. It's all
hand carved, and put together by
hand There isn't q nail iii It," ID
Yes, there are, hand made ones,
down at the back" Lefty helped out
with. See all this inlaid work, too,
| 80, 49,. 80 tb, roll Ton Iap,% g.,