Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-05-03
AN UNsENT LETTER
BY SUSAN e. CLAGETT.

Jim Chapman started as the front
door slammed, then he muttered in ex.
asperatiOn:
ITO think l should have come to
this from little touch of fever |!
Nerves! thought had no nerves."
As matter of fact, 1t had been a
severe attack of typhoid with SO lin
gering a 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 week,
literally confined to the house. as he
had broken his ankle upon his own
doorstep.
Seated in his sitting room he looked
helpless!y 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 l answer?" pleasant voice
asked, and without waiting for a reply
blue-gowned figure crossed the room,
hastily secured the blinds and closed
the windows.
Il saw William ahead of me as l
was blown through your front door.
He had something in his arms that was
giving him trouble. Here he Is. Good
gracious"
Jim turned his head as his man
came into the room carrying kicking,
squirming bundle, which he put hastily
down.
"Sure, Mr.. Jim, hopes you'll never
send me again for such little tiger
cat"
II amt no tiger cat" came with a
suppressed sob from the small being
on the hearth rug.
Jim looked at the child with curl
GUS resentment, but Miss Hill, who
had been listening in undisguised
amazement, came forward. "Of course
not, dear. Jim and William were just
trying to be funny" AS she talked
she had removed the child's wraps
and now lifted her to her lap.
"Oh! I want my daddy. l want
ny daddy! He didn't call me tiger
cat" and the child burrowed her head
In the lace at Miss Hills throat.
The two grown-ups looked at each
other in silence as she sobbed herself
INTO heavy sleep. Then only did
Kate Hill speak.
"What Is 1t all about, Jim?"
He silently handed her letter and
she read:
"Dear jim: When this reaches you
I will have passed into the unknown
country. Because of the closeness of
>ur friendship I am sending you the
delight of my heart. Her mother is
lead, and she has not a relative In the
world. I leave a little property that
s. well invested, sufficient for her
needs. Am too tired now to write
more. Yours, TOM"
poor little waif" she said softly,
I would take her home with me, but
I am going away this afternoon. l
can help you, however. My housekeep-
er's sister has lost her child. She
needs home and will suit you. /
will send her over"
"Thank you. Did you say you are
going away? The thought that l
should find you when this COMPOUNDED
ankle let's me get about has been the
one comfort l have had throughout
this lonely week. We used to have
some pleasant days together, and
hoped we might return to them.
will be your neighbor for many months,
and the sooner we forget the years
that lie between nov and then the
better,
1--WE will talk about 1t when come
back" she replied evasiyely.
She stood beside him for an instant
laughing down into his gloomy face.
Perhaps, Jim, I may not stay as long
rs had intended" she said and with
.hese words She left the room.
To his surprise she returned within
ZEN days; returned in storm that
broke in torrents of rain as she neared
Tim Chapman's gate. AS on that first
Law. she ran I'M the walk and into the