Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-03-09
AN UNsENT LETTER
BY SUSAN e. CLAGETT.

aSperatlOn:
ITO think I should have come to
this from a little touch of fever
Nerves! 1 thought I had no nerves"
AS a matter of fact, it had been a
severe attack Of typhoid. with so lin
gering convalescence that his physi-
clan ordered him to return to the
empty old house in New England that
had been his boyhood home, if he
wished to regain his strength.
To the last he had protested, but
without avail, and now he had been In
the New England village for q week,
literally confined to the house, as he
had broken his ankle upon his own
doorstep.
Seated In his sitting room he looked
helplessly around as doors and window
blinds banged.
"Where in the devil is william?
That fellow is never where he's want
ed. I'll"
"Will I answerT q pleasant voice
asked, and without waiting for a reply
4 blue-gowned figure crossed the room,
hastily secured the blinds and closed
The windows.
II saw William ahead Of me as
vas blown through your front door.
He had something in his arms that was
giving him trouble. Here he is. Good
yracious!"
Jim turned his head as his man
,ame into the room carrying kicking,
'quirming bundle, which he put hastily
1own.
"Sure, Mr.. Jim, / hopes you'll never
send me again for such little tiger
.at."
II amt no tiger cat" came with a
suppressed sob from the small being
IN the hearth rug.
Jim looked at the child with curl
,us resentment, but Miss Hill, who
lad been listening in undisguised
lmazement, came forward. "Of course
lot, dear. Jim and William were just
rying to be funny" AS she talked
the had removed the child's wraps
md now lifted her to her lap.
Oh' want NY uuuuy. Wuut
ny daddy! He didn't call me tiger
att" and the child burrowed her head
n the lace at Miss Hills throat.
The two grown-ups looked at each
,ther in silence as she sobbed herself
ntO a heavy sleep. Then only did
Kate Hill speak.
"What Is it all about, Jim?"
He silently handed her a letter and
he read:
'Dear Jim: When this reaches you
t.will have passed into the unknown
country. Because Of the closeness of
,ur friendship am sending you the
ielight Of my heart. Her mother is
lead, and she has not a relative in the
world. leave a little property that
well invested, sufficient for her
reeds. Am too tired now to write
more. Yours, TOM"
"Poor little waif!" she said softly,
I would take her home with me, but
am going away this afternoon.
AN help you, however. My housekeep-
,r's sister has lost her child. She
reeds a home and will suit you.
will send her over"
THANK you. Did you say you are
going away? The thought that
should find you when this confOunded
inkle let's me get about has been the
)ne comfort l have had throughout
his lonely week. We used to have
some pleasant days together, and
hoped we might return to them.
will be your neighbor for many months,
md the sooner we forget the years
hat lie between now and then the
,etter."
1--WE will talk about 1t when come
,ack," she replied evasively.
She stood beside him for an instant
aughing down into his gloomy face.
Perhaps. Jim, 1 may not stay as long
IS had Intended" she said, and with
:hese words she left the room.
To his surprise she returned within
zen days; returned in a storm that
broke In torrents Of rain as she neared
lin Chapman's gate. AS on that first
lay, she ran up the walk and into the
house. Looking into the sitting room
she saw Jim move slowly toward the
window. On the floor the child was
gathering up stray leaves Of what
looked like a manuscript, and in her
lap was a bundle Of letters. Kate
turned to Jim with smile:
''It is to be hoped Mrs. Grundy has
been driven to the back Of her house
by the storm, else my reputation may
suffer. To be blown twice within q
fortnight through your doorway, Jim
Is certainly food for gossip"
81 want the pretty lady to read tC
me-" small voice interrupted. "Reat
this" she said persuasively, holding
out letter.
Kate picked the child up and tool
the letter from her. "Why, this is ad
dressed to me-" she exclaimed.
Jim gave a start and glanced toward
the drawer of his library table. H'
turned to Kate in explanation.
"That letter was written years ago
and 1 have often wondered why l re
ceived no reply. Why it was no
mailed do not know. but chance ha'
thrown it into your hands. Read II
and give me the answer to the ques
ton l then asked" He turned to tn,
window, looking with uhseeing eye
out into the storm.
She was silent so long that he a
last turned to her.
Holding the child close, she looke'
at him with shining eyes. 81 have bee