The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-02-12
Bv CLARISSA MACKIE

NORTHUMBERLAND
,.s Laura Bamwelrs little black
hlazed with the fire of excitement.
m a tidbit of news had not trembled
rho tip of her sharp tongue for
day. and to add interest to the
tsr Laura was going to sew that
day at Mrs. Gid Smiths, and 1t
dollars to doughnuts that Mrs. 1
hadn't heard a word about it, and
rry Popham was her own uncle too!
aura settled herself In the sunny |
m window of the Smiths sitting !
Sm pinned her knitted pincushion
bar apron belt, spread her fashion
bks on the sewing table and then
rod into Mrs. Smiths wide. simple
hntenance.
Terrible about your Uncle Henry,
su't III" asked Laura.
this bombshell Mrs. Smith squeak
nervously.
Tncle Henry! Wh4t's happened to
she demanded, visions Of deep
burning wells, wreath Of carnations
earnations were the least costly of
hter aowers-the division Of Uncle
knrys money and perhaps herself
h family (she had been real good to
cle Henry, living in Uncle Henrys
nfortable house on the Hollow road,
bircd through her mind while she
Aited for Lauras deliberate answer
rWhy. amt you heard? He's disap-
hred
eDiSappeared! Where tor
Nobody knows" went on Laura
mplacrntly. POSTMASTER Brown
inks he might have drowned him.
lf IN the mill pond"
Mrs. Smith verged on Mysteries.
ron. poor. dear Uncle Henry" she
bbcl Il have been expecting most
yihns to happen to him, he being
oli man and living alone
Pile only sixty years old and con
tlercl some spry, and, being cranky
h ha helor. he was most comfortable
Eue alone, most likely" retorted
bura who in her youth had once
kcd 10 cnsnare Henry Pophams
art and failed. IF he did commit
lt guess it wasn't because none
hi- uieeeS wouldn't live with him..
Elur iauehed as she dipped open one
tln fashion magazines. Look here
t.f IL "A fhtvly Of thns.
skrts:' she asked.
het talk to me about making VI
araei cashmere" protested Mrs
ih- and twitching the bun
J. .lresS material from the table
~ know but I'll have to b,
Fcar.u lack tomorrow? | guess yol
Fiier liA up my black taffeta. Laura
nd presS out that mourning veil. D.
ou think you could fuss up that bon
el lou;"
Likely enough" said the chagrine
reSSmaker. for she hated "makin
yer But why don't you wait unit
ou lind out il he is dead? Maybe he
Rnly zone visiting somewheres."
Visiting. Uncle Henry amt bee
outside Of Brooklawn for twenty year
xcept over to Redbridge to the banl
Nho told you he was missingT"
Your own cousin. Belle Wlckhan
Fhe was coming out of the house sea
d TO death; said 1t was all sweI
fleon as pin and the attic door wa
pcked and she was afraid to go U
here He might have hung himse
Pom The rafters. you know, Annie.
Seems Belle went over to take hil
ome hot corn bread for his breakfast
he certainly does pay him lot of a
ention. Annie-and he didn't answ,
per knock, and so she went In throue
PIE sitting room winder and found
nadut even slept in his bed nor hi
hy breakfast. He just wasn't ther
81 She came to the postoffice, and VI
Brown said he saw Henry Popha
hoWn at the mill pond last night al
De reekoned he'd ended his lopely life
Mrs Smith went upstairs and broug
aiA III III VI VI SOllDeT uueu ~
iheuts. which she piled on the sewn
pane before the discounted dres
naker.
DO the best you can with 'el
Laura she said gloomily. I've {
20 60 over and see Belle and Sar;
Tompkins.
MIS- Smith hustled heavily away, al
Presently Laura saw her going o
through the gate. wrapped in a hea
o'anket shawl. She went down {
road toward Belle Wickham's, and {
cressmaker was compelled to alta
ee venerable taffeta dress and wait
wiz what patience she could for t
return of Henry Popham's niece.
" was II O'clock when Annie Smi
returned, and her eyes were red wi
Weeping.
nat news" asked Laura eager
guess poor Uncle Henry's gon'
s'snei Annie. sitting down In the B.
y, .oA rocker and unpinning her sha'
Went over to Bellies, and Sarah W
'lefe Seems James whalen met
'e denry last night in Redbridge. al
LAURA be was standing on the bird