The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-21
AUNT JENNIE
INTERVIEWS
By M. DIBBELL


ellison 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 solitary turn.
! out was visible; and as the tiny vii
lage boosted no livery stable, this
meant six-mile tramp to his uncle's
| farm.
No rain had fallen for over two
weeks, and it was not long before Al
fred's perspiring face began to assume
q streaky look from the settling dust
Fortunately he possessed sense of
humor, which began to assert itself,
and smile showed through the dirt
as he said to himself: "Blest II don t
play them little joke for this. II
they are not willing to receive a re.
spectacle nephew, I'll see how a dis
reputable one goes. Can't look much
worse than | do, anyhow"
He proceeded to remove cuffs, COL
lar and necktie, turn up his coat col
lar, rumble 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
suming the wanderers SLOUGH, Alfred
went up the long drive and to the rear
of the big farmhouse. He pasued at
the kitchen door and knocked vigor-
ously; then waited in mischievous an
ticipation of the surprise he should
give Melissa. When the door opened
1t 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 you?"
But all Alfred's ideas as to the yarn
he should tell Melissa if he succeed
In conceaing his identity had van
ished
Il beg your pardon, but l am Mr..
Biglows nephew" he stammered.
An astonished expression flashed in
to the girls eyes, but she replied:
Come in and | will call him. He
Is with Aunt Jennie
Feeling decidedly small, Alfred en-
tered 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 at
tendance on Mrs. Biglow, who had
sprained her ankle.
Mrs. Biglow was finishing the sup
per Melissa had brought her, when her
niece entered
oh Uncle James, do please come
down stairs right away. There Is a
poor. miserable looking man there.
who says he is your nephew; and l
thought the best way to soothe him
was to pretend believed it, and come
for you"
Mr.. Biglow rose at once, saying:
You were right, my dear, and we will
soon find out who this impostor is"
Alfred, meantime, was making the
most of his solitude The instant the
door closed he gave his face Wig
orous scrubbing, smoothed his hair.
replaced his collar and was adjusting
his tie before the small looking glass
when his uncle and the strange young
woman appeared
The change produced was almost
equal to one of the lightning acts of
stage professional, and Mr.. Biglow ad
vanced. saying:
We'll. Alfred, don't see but that
you look natural. | guess the sudden
entrance of stranger must have
given Sydney a scare"
Alfred felt decidedly foolish as he
encountered the look of bewilderment
In Sydney's eyes.
Il looked badly enough to brighten
anybody, when | came in, uncle" and
then he explained his intended Joke
on Melissa. 1T was nearly a week
ago l wrote you of my coming, and
when no one showed up at the station
l thought | would have my revenge"
Mr.. Biglow laughed heartily. I'VE
have all been so occupied in looking
after Aunt Jennie for the last few
days. that no one has thought of the
postoffice,' he said Your letter is
still there. But let me introduce you
to your cousin by marriage, Sydney
Thompson"
Sydney looked as If she hardly
knew whether to laugh or be angry,
when Alfred said earnestly:
Please forgive me for frightening
you'll will never try to be funny
again.
"Oh don't say that" she replied,
this would be very dismal world
II 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, misers-
Bile man" who had startled Sydney.
Alfred found that Sydney's society
became an ever increasing delight to
him as the days passed. One morn
ing, a week after his arrival at Biglow
Farm, he sat on the veranda with
Aunt Jennie, who was now able to get
about little
How is it that | have never met
your niece until now?" asked Alfred
Il thought | knew all the family"
Sydney has been studying hard for
years, and has just finished college"
she replied. Il could not get her to
spare the time for a visit to me be- |
fore But she feels the need of rest.
and as her marriage will probably take
place next spring, she concluded TO |
give me a few weeks now
Alfred felt as If the bright world |
had turned suddenly black Il did not |
know she was engaged: she wears no |