The Washington herald., 1913-11-29
DAILY SHORT STORY

the window. Then it darted away, and
her voice rang through the house.
Aunt Jen! Aunt Jenn'
Swiftly Aunt Jen few toward the hen
house. BY the time TilIie reached the
kitchen, she was walking slowly UP the
boardwalk.
well. chill?' she called back.
'I heard a phoebe, I really did! A
phoebe!" cried the girl
Aunt Jen passed her scofing, and went
toward the sink
"Pshaw, you couldn't a. heard one VET"
she argued. TITS too early, Tinie"
but / did, insisted the girl excitedIy.
| And. oh, Auntie. II brought back the
flowers and woods and everything, tust
as l thought It would"
.'And you'll stay?' broke in Aunt Jen.
''You'u stay and be here when 1t comes,
and find the frst flowers, and the first
birds?" She had to stop; her voice was
shaking noticeably.
mo, won't stay. My big chance Ia
more to me than even that!" In a whirI
Of skirts, she was gone.
Aunt Jen put her hands down to ths
bottom Of the dishpan, and leaned on
| them. When she felt less dazed. she
, reached into the bosom OF her waist and
drew out the tin whistle. Raising It high
she flung II across the room. watching
1t drop behind the flour barrel.
I've always suspicioned I might be
fool" she said aloud, dryly. but was
never quite sure of II until right now"
Early the next morning Tllie went
Tie livery man came to take her and
her trunk to the far distant station.
Aunt Jen watched them out of sight.
Then she turned back to the songiess,
laughterless house.
Z 4 l.
house. had everything just as wanted
IT, she. said.
| Il had the best room o. week days TO
see my callers in" she went on. as she
plodded toward the kitchen.
And the best pillow shams on the
beds every day." she finished, fiereely
glaring at the dishpan-
Then she flung herself into the big
kitchen rocker. And that's what's tho
matter with me now!' she sobbed wild
ly. I've overrid everyone else all M
lifer'
For long while she gave way to her
grief. Then, making a colossal effort,
she rose to her feet ann vert to the
dishpan. In another half hour her eyes
had lost their telltale appearance, and
she was practically planning what vese-
tables she would buy when the cart came
around.
But she wGs unable TO keep her
thoughts on these commonplace things.
Not quite knowing why she did il, she
wandered presently TO TIE flour barrel
and picked up the bird whistle.
And 1t was at this point that the door
suddenly burst open and Tilly stood be-
fore her.
I've missed my train" the girl said
disappointedly. "Our harness broke half
way to the station. and now I'll have u
wait till tomorrow morning." she
stopped, stared at the whistle, which
aunt Jen in her amazement had dropped
What's that?' she finished cur1ously.
Aunt Jen bit her lip guiltily TITS
nothing-nothing?' she stammered, grow
ing red. Then, in rush of confusion,
she flew from the back door and down
the walk to the henhouse.
You're crazy-crazyI" she told her
self angrily. Well. IL you get that child
to stay one night more under the roof
with you it'll be a wonder!'
Quietly she slipped back into the house.
She tip-toed to the pantry, then stood
still to listen. A strange. mufYled, sound
was coming from the dining room.
In another minute she had flown to the
door and was staring in bewilderment at
the sight she saw; Tillie, limp and shak-
ing, on the lounge. As she stared, the
girl rose up and held out her hand. In
her palm was the tin whistle.
Il t-tried it she was saying catch
ingly. And oh, Aunt Jen. I want to stay
/ didn't know-and to think that I wa1
going away to fipd-wealthI''