The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-05-02
en- up all hopes of ever making a lady

en- up all hopes of ever making a lady
of you"
Jean had her way. That fall she
entered triumphantly upon her new
career. She lured two girls into ac-
cepting the pink chamber and seats
available funds in hens. Even old
chicken fanciers said she showed re-
markable Judgment and business abil-
ity for so young a girl.
Feter came over to look at the flock
that filled the big yard. This beats
my first wife's r%elation!" he remarked,
slangilN. Go it. Jean. Good luck to
you. I suppose you've written Aunt
Mimi about your venture. What did
she say"
7 tell the TRUTH Jean admitted.
81 don't think she was pleased. She's
real aristocratic, you know. But I
can't help that. We've got to live.
And now that the returns begin to
come in, though slowly, mother doesn't
say a word. But I notice she GEMS
to enjoy carrying a purse that has
one that's just for show"
Mimi came and admired the rides
cence of the black Minorca cockerel's
plumage. ut would be awful if Aunt
Mimi should leave you out" she pre-
dicted. m%ournfully.
Lucia and Evelyn and Percy got no
nearer the chickens than the front
parlor. They. too. felt approximations
for Jeans prospects. When they went
away Jeans courage for the first time
forsook her and she cried.
But I'm going on just as I've be-
gun" she said. II don't care what
they say. AS for Aunt Mimi never
saw her in my life. She's taken good
care never to come neal one of lis.
The most she's ever done is to send
us each a letter about twice a year.
She's given Jig a thing but in
%tentions. Maybe she'll leave all her
] don't care If she does. The others
can GO on waiting and starving if they
want to. shall stick to my chick
ems"
The chickens. il is true. did not
yield A vast income. but with the two
h%oarders Jean made enough to keep
up the interest on the place and put
something in the bank for a rainy
day n keep the two of them warm
and we'll clothed and Well fed. She
had to work hard. but work she con-
sidered merely an outlet for her
boundless energy. She was happy and
healthy and we'll content and envied
no one.
Aunt Mimi continued to write as
was her wont twice a year. She was
evidently most un-Westlike in the. reg
ularity of her habits. There came a
time, however, when her silence be-
came not only a matter of weeks. hut
months. Jean vas too busy to wonder
about 1t until Peter called her atten-a
ton to it.
at must he she's dead" he said.
Aunt Mimi vas dead. and she left
no will. There was, indeed, no occa-
sion for any. She had no money.
With cunning and utter absence of
heart she had perpetrated a huge
joke upon her relatives. which she
had. nevertheless, thoroughly enjoyed.
At least this is what her lawyer said
when he came on from the west to dis
tribute the few articles and the few
dollars she had to %bequeath. He told
Jean and her mother all about it as
they sat together in the front par
lor. She had had e~Ntravagant tastes.
She had used up her entire means
during her lifetime.
Mrs. West wept, but Jean laughed.
The cute old thing" she exclaimed.
But I'm sorry for Peter and the rest
of them"
They. indeed, were i~nconsolable.
They came to condole with Jean.
Il suppose Well have 70 go to work
now in dead earnest" mourned Peter.