Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-02-23

ana minced toward the door.
Il guess We better be going. deacon
IL Finley Baker can't afford to helm
out on these expenses 1 amt going to-
susan always was extravagant. and
sne mad an easy time boarding here
with idle hands. while | have had TO
WORK morning, noon and night She
stopped as Mr.. Pardee raised his hand
In protest.
Miss Baker loaned Deacon Pilsbury
S2oO last year" he said quietly.
Well, put In the deacon modify.
suppose you're going to try and col
lect 1t on Of me now. amt got a
cent OF money on hand. and times is
hard. and
Don't worry" smiled Mr.. Pardee
dryly. Miss Baker left the promis-
sorry note for you. deacon; here it is,
to destroy at once If you wish"
With shamed faces the man and the
woman left the room, and when the
door had closed behind them Don
brought his fist down on the table with
resounding thump.
Mr.. Pardee, didn't know such
meanness existed. II you will give me
Aunt Susan's directions will see that
the ashes are inferred under the apple
tree"
You can't afford 1t, Dom" protested
the lawyer. but there was a CLEAN of
satisfaction in his gray eyes when the
young man threw back his shoulders
and faced him.
Il can't afford to let my aunt's re-
mains lie unburied. sir! would be
small indeed II | refused to do that
last service for her, and shall place
suitable stone as soon as can af.
ford IT,"
I'm glad you're the one who elected
to do 1t, Dom said Mr.. Pardee earnest.
ly. You can least afford the expense.
but the others-well. the world has
hardened them. that's all. Now. listen.
my boy; this is Miss Bakers last re-
quest:
1T Is my earnest wish that my
ashes shall be inferred beneath the old
rose apple tree at home. There
spent the happy days Of my childhood;
there I met the only man ever loved.
and there we were bitterly parted.
never more to meet again. In that
spot, where | have known great joy
and great sorrow, | wish to lie. Be-
tween the long roots OF the old tree |
have had brick lined cavity prepared
for the urn. Whoever sees that 1t Is
placed there will not go unrewarded.
for the blessings OF a lonely old wo-
man will follow him to the end of his
days"
Don Barlow and his sweetheart took
the bronze urn down to Ferncliffe, for
tender hearted Edith Dale could not
bear to think that the little woman's
burial should be lonely one.
Edith had donned simple mourning
and Don's hat bore deep black
band. Il hope poor Aunt Susan knows
that somebody cares little sobbed
Edith rs the train whirled through the
pleasant countryside.
IL Aunt Susan knew-and who can
say that she did not?-she surely must
have been gladdened at the self sacri-
fee which these two young people
were making. for the breaking in upon
Don's savings meant that their wed
ding must be postponed another six
months.
1t was late In the morning when they
arrived In Ferncliffe, and Don left
Edith with the bronze box containing
the urn, while he went to make the
necessary arrangements with the min
lister who was to read the committal
service.
To Edith's surprise, Mr.. Pardee, the
lawyer. appeared upon the scene, and
then Don returned. The three went to-
ward the little house that had been
Susan Bakers home.
II felt that | must come along for
certain reasons" said Mr.. Pardee
thoughtfully as they passed through
the white painted gate.
The house had been sold, but the or
chard. inclosed in a white painted
renee, sui utipuseu u susan bahSi'
1t was practically worthless to any of
the heirs, as 1t was inclosed on four
sides by property belonging to stran-
gers. 1t was not likely that any one
would ever claim possession of 1t,
They found the apple tree bending
beneath its weight Of rosy fruit, and
standing there. with a spade. was the
old black man whom Don had hired to
uncover the little cement vault which
poor Miss Susan had prepared some
months before In anticipation OF her
coming there to rest.
Miss Baker requested that this burial
should be private; otherwise ] would
have notified some of her old friends to
have been present" remarked the law
yer to the Rev. Mr.. Ellis.
poor Aunt Susan Outlived her own
generation" remarked Don.
Il am sorry indeed to learn that she