Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1915-01-07
THE MASTER
WORKMAN-FATE

puzzling him to a sweet faced old
lady in quaint attire, who was regard
ing him wistfully. "This is my
nephew-Ellis Walkers Officer" she
inquired timidly.
In an instant Grahame was on his
feet. Eyes. Be seated please. I am
his partner"
'Will he be in soon-very soon?"
well" obviously, che is away for
the day. Could take your message?"
A letter, unfolded, dropped to the
desk and he perused it hurriedly.
why" a surprised look lit the
eyes he lifted to hers, "this-evident-
ly it was meant-for mel"
The little old lady plucked at her
handkerchief nervously. II got that
yesterday, in reply to mine. You see"
she flushed painfully, II have written
to my nephew, and we'll" confused
ly. che must have misunderstood me-"
cit is evident from this that he
thought you needed his support and
that, in recognition of your kindness
to him, when he was friendless and
alone, be stands ready to make the
supreme sacrifice-these are his
words to me in your behalf. Now,
Miss-er-" Eastman" supp emented
the old lady softly, and he continued,
81 found letter bearing my name on
my desk this morning after Ellis had
gone. | read it before realizing my
mistake. 1t was intended I should
say for the person-the young lady
mentioned in this" He tapped the
letter thoughtfully.
"And he sent me-yours?"
81 should say So"
"Now," a little twinkle showed at
last in the old lady's eyes, "who do
you suppose the one he intend
ed for me?"
"The young lady, undoubtedly" and
Grahame smiled into her eyes.
And he, my nephew-you think he
is in love with herr"
81 am positive of it."
oh, dearie!" The little old lady
wrung her hands impotently. Il am
afraid l have done mischief. You see
it was this way"
when Ellis was very little, his
parents died and left him, penniless :,
to me. l was his mothers sister. In
some way" she smiled, tearfully al
most, "the poor boy became convinced
that he owed me debt of gratitude
he could never pay and when he went
out into the wOrld-to make his way
he made me promise that if ever /
was old or in need, I would send for
him. No sacrifice was too great, he
declared, to make in return for what
| had done for him. Lately | have
not been feeling well and-welI," she
glanced at Grahame quizzically. Il
am growing old. | wanted my boy |
wrote asking him to make a home
here, for me. And he," her lip quiv-
cred, her voice shook, 81 understand
from the letter mistakenly sent, that
he is not doing well, and if he made
me a home he would have to relin-
quish a lifetime's happiness-am
right?"
The answer came direct: well,
we are not doing as we'll as We
might as we'll as we shah
some time. And he thought, dear old
boy''-impulsively- he had no
right to fetter Miss Marshall when it
might be years before he could make
a home for both Of you. His first
duty, he says here"-again his eyes
fell on the letter-'is to you. After
that his own happiness. And"-the
young mans voice grew tremulous
now-"he says there is now no obsta-
Gle in the way of my winning Miss
Marshall-as if l could supplant him."
His glance fell grayely before the
questioning eyes of the old lady. "He
was going to give up everything for
me- How he must have misinterpret-
ed my letter. Do you know laid
one kindly hand on the young mans
arm-"I was coming here to help
him"
Before Grahame could frame reply
a knock sounded on the door and he
opened it to admit young woman.
Miss Marshall"
eyes, Mr.. Grahame"-her voice was
troubled-"Is Mr.. Walker here? I
I" she held out a letter. This
came to-day. 1t is not mine. think
it was intended for some one else"
"It is mine" The little old lady
rose, holding out her hand "My
nephew am Ellis Walkers aunt
has been writing letters and inclos-
ing them in the wrong envelopes. You
had mine. l had Mr.. GrahSme's here
and he has yours. However," as the
girl held out her hand imYulsively, Il
do not think you will watt the one he
wrote to you. He meant something
quite different, I am sare, from what
he wrote. Here"
She took the three letters and dis
tributed them to their respective own
ers. When they were read she spoke
again.
81 made all the trouble by not be-
ing clearer in my letter to him. SoW
7 Nv.