The Washington herald., 1915-07-20
Aunt Jennie Intervenes.
By M. DIBBELL.


II would have been hard to find more
disguised youth than was Alfred Gibson
as he plodded along the dry country
road. When nearly an hour earlier he
had alighted from the train. expecting
to find his uncle's team in waiting for
him, not q solitary turnout was visible;
and as the tiny village boosted no livery
stable, this meant a six-mile tramp to his
uncle's farm.
No rain had fallen for over two weeks,
and it was not long before Alfred's per-
spring face began to assume a streaky
look from the settling dust. Fortunately
H. possessed a sense Of humor, which be-
gan to assert itself, and a smile showed
through the dirt as he said to himself:
'.Blest IL don't play them little joke
ceive a respectable nephew. I'll see how
a disreputable one goes. Can't look much
worse than I do, anyhow"
He proceeded to remove cuffs, collar
and necktie, turn up his coat collar.
rumple his hair and tilt his soft hat.
punched all out Of shape. far over one
eye.
Before long, the tall white gates Of
Biglow Farm doomed up before him
through the descending twilight. As
Stunning the wanderers SLOUGH, Alfred
went up the long drive and to the rear
of the big farmhouse. He paused at the
kitchen door and knocked vigorously;
then waited in mischievous anticipation
of the surprise he should give Melissa
When the door opened it was not upon
the good-humored face Of Melissa, the
servant. that he gazed. but Into a pair
of clear gray eyes, whose owner Alfred
thought was the prettiest young woman
he had ever beheld.
Good evening" she said kindly.
What can do for your"
But all Alfred's ideas as to the yarn
he should tell Melissa II he succeeded in
concealing his identity had vanished
Il beg your pardon. but I am Mr..
Biglow's nephew" he stammered.
An astonished expression flashed into
the girls eyes. but she replied:
"Come in and I will call him. He Is
with Aunt Jennie"
Feeling decidedly small. Alfred entered
the kitchen and seated himself near the
door, while the-girl went in search of
his uncle She ran swiftly up the stairs
and into the room where Mr.. Biglow and
Melissa were In attendance on Mrs.
Biglow, who had sprained her ankle.
Mrs. Biglow was finishing the supper
Melissa had brought her when her niece
entered.
"oh. Uncle John. do please come down.
stairs right away. There Is a poor, mis-
cradle looking man there, who says he
Is your nephew; and I thought the best
way to soothe him was to pretend be-
lieved it and come for you"
Mr.. Biglow rose at once, saying. You
were right. my dear, and We Will soon
find out who this imposter Is"
Alfred. meantime. was making the
most of his solitude. The instant the
door closed he gave his face a vigorous
scrubbing, smoothed his hair. replaced
his collar and was adjusting his tie be-
fore the small looking-glass when his
uncle and the strange young woman APP
peared.
The change produced was almost equal
to one Of the lightning acts of a stage
professional. and Mr.. Biglow advanced
saying:
well. Alfred. don't zee but that you
look natural. I guess the sudden en-
trance of a stranger must have given
Sydney a scare"
Alfred felt decidedly foolish as he en-
countered the look of bcwilderment in
Sydney's eyes.
Il looked badly enough to brighten
anybody when I came In, uncle" and
then he explained his intended joke on
=
wrote you of my coming, and when no
one showed up at the station I thought
I would have my revenge"
Mr.. Biglow laughed heartily. I'VE
have all been 80 occupied in looking
after Aunt Jennie for the la-t few days
that no one has thought of the postof-
hce." he said. Your letter Is still there.
But let me introduc, you to your cousin
by marriage. Sydney Thompson"
Sydney looked as II she hardly knew
whether to laugh or be angry, when
Alfred said earnestly:
: Please forgive me for frightening
you'll shall never try to be funny
again"
oh don't say that" she replied. this
would be a very dismal world IL there
were no fun in it,
Then they all went up to Aunt Jen-
ME, and found her anxiously waiting
an explanation of the poor. miserable
man" who had startled sydney
Alfred found that Sydney's society
became an ever-increasing delight to
him as the days passed. One morning.
q week after his arrival at Biglow
Farm. he sat on the veranda with Aunt
Jennie. who was now able TO get about
q little
sflnv n II that have aHVoe Aos