La Junta tribune., 1914-04-04

0eon 10 Europe. vAise shs. ths ioAsay |
ead spinstef. would stay At home
alone.
In that moment she hated Jimmy
vanstOne, and her pretty niece. and
she mentally censurcd the cruel sci
6shnsss Of youthful love.
You cannot marry anyone without |
my co.sent. Ethel: and shall not !
give Ii. she said firmly.
Good night. Aunt Felicia" was
Ethel's quiet reply ~ she pAsted the |
older woman and went into the
house.
She read Mr.. Daniel Latner's. letter |
to his nephew before she went TO bed |
and the tears that wet her lashes were |
chased away by irrepressible smiles.
She tucked the letter under aer pillow |
and went 10 sleep with smile ON her |
lips. Felicia. pAusing In the door. |
way with lighted candle ~ was her |
custom. saw the smile and her heart |
strings frightened.
She does not care-she does not
care for met" she thought jealousiy
- she went away.
Early the next morning Ethel went
out to the near by town for . days
shopping. Felicia was writing let
tiers In her own room when Celia. the
little housemaid. tapped At the door,
Come In" said Miss Weeks.
Please. Miss Felicia" said Celia
extending folded letter. 4 found this
on the foor In Miss Ethel's room. II
new from under the pillow when was
making the bed"
Put Il ON the table. Celia" said
Felicia and she resumed her -iting.
When her letters were finished she
looked up and saw the sheets Of let.
ter paper nuttering ON the table. A
leaf rustled In the breeze from the
open window and her own name
caught her casual glance.
Temptation assailed this impeccably
honest lady. She glanced asain--and
again. and then overcome BY indigna-
tion and curiosity. she silepced all
Qualms on active conscience and read
the letter from beginning 10 end.
It was the epistle Of Mr.. Daniel Lat.
liner to bis beloved nephew. James
vsustone:
MY dear boy" Il read In part. so
you think you are the hsppiest man In
the world because . pretty little girl
loves you! Well. I thought the same
way once upon . time. but was
promptly disillusioned--uow. this isn't
meant TO be . wet blanket on the
rosy fame Of your engagement TO Miss
Ethel: It's merely the plant Of dis
gruntled old bachelor because you
have won the prize that missed. Con.
gratulations. dear Jimmy. and may
you be deserving Of the little girl who
IL pretty indeed. my lad. but can't
compare. with her aunt. Miss Felicia.
whom knew once upon = time. Yes.
you've guessed II. Jimmy. she Ii the
one who Administered the dose OF dis
illusion! Well. Felicia Was q self.
willed slip Of q girl and should
never have taken her word OF dis
missal. Sometimes when ] am very
lonely and am afraid Of the solitary
yeass ahead OF me. sm tempted 70 90
at once to Felicia Weeks and ask her
II II il too late to be happy! But
forgive me. Jimmy. I've turned this
letter OF congratulation Into nm elogy
upon my own happiness--but It's too
late to amend Il. now. hope Felicia
will give her consent TO your marrying
Ethel before the l5th-if she won't.
shall certainly run down 10 Rode
mead and plead your cause. Kiss my
future niece-in.law for me.
"Afiectionately. Uncle Dan"
For q long time Felicia sat la ~
lence. Although she stared out at the
garden she could see nothing for the
mist Of tears In her fine eyes.
Presently she drew . sheet of pa
per toward her and wrote . few lines
to Mr.. Daniel Iatimer. This she en-.
closed With his letter In On envel0ps
and carefully addressed II 70 his club
In town. Then she shixed . special
delivery stamp and sent Celia out 70
mail II At once.
Although the letter was gone the
words she had written seemed written
ip rosy red across her brain.
This 10 what she had written: y
have given my consent 70 Ethel's mar
Rage on the i6th-but II you wish,
you may come down-soou. Dan-and
plead not their cause-but your own!
Telicia!"
Scopyslghs. isii. By the Mcclure Nevs-
paper gyndicaes.D