Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-06-01
An UHsENT LETTER
BY SUSAN z. cLAeETT.

ASPIRATION:
ITO think I should have come II
this from little touch Of fever
Nerves. / thought / had no nerves
AS a matter Of fact, 1t had been {
severe attack OF typhoid. with 50 lin
gerlng a convaiescence that his physi
clan ordered him to return to the
empty old house in New England that
had been his boyhood home, # 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 a 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. III"
@Win I answer" a pleasant voice
asked, and without waiting for a reply
a blue-gowned figure crossed the room.
hastily secured the blinds and closed
the windows.
Il saw William ahead Of me as
was blown through your front door.
He had something In his arms that was
giving him trouble. Here he is. Good
graciousl'
Jim turned his head as his man
came into the room carrying a kicking,
squirting bundle, which he put hastily
down.
Sure. Mr. Jim. / hopes you'll never
send me again for such little tiger
cat"
Il amt no tiger cat" came with
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
Amusement, came forward. "Of course
not, dear. Jim and William were just
trying TO be funny" As she talked
she had removed the chiid's wraps
and now lifted her 10 her lap.
"Ohl ] want my daddy. I want
my daddy He didn't call me tiger
cat" and the child burrowed her head
In the lace at Miss HIS 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 il all about, Jim?'
He silently handed her q letter and
she read:
Dear Jim: When this reaches you
will have passed into the unknown
Because of the closeness Of
,ur friendship ! am sending you the
Height of my heart. Her mother is
lead, and she has not relative in the
world. / leave little property that
5 well invested, sufficient for her
needs. Am too tired now 70 write
more. Yours. TOM"
I would take her home with me, but
am going away this afternoon /
an help you. however. Ny housekeep-
RS sister has lost her child. She
leeds q home and viii suit you. i
viii send her over"
Thank you. Did you say you are
,oing away? The thought that /
houId find you when this COMPOUNDED I
nike lens me get about has been the 1
ne comfort i have had throughout I
his lonely week. We used TO have I
ONE pleasant days together, and ! /
oped we might return TO them. l I
ill be your neighber for many months I
nd the sooner We forget the years
hat lie between now and then the
etter.'
I'VE will talk about il when / come I
ack," she replied evaslvely.
She stood beside him for an instant
aughing down into his gloomy face.
Perhaps, Jim. l may not stay as long
5 had Intended she said. and with
hese words she left the room.
To his surprise she returned within
IN days; returned in a storm that
roke In torrents of rain as she neared
Ina Chapman's gate. AS on that first
ay, she ran up the walk and into the
ouse. Looking into the sitting room,
he saw Jim move slowly toward the
Iindow. On the floor the child was
altering up stray leaves of what
,oked like q manuscript, and 10 her
I'D was bundle Of letters Kate
armed 10 Jim with smile:
1T Is to be hoped Mrs. Grundy has
cen driven to the back OF her house
y the storm, else my reputation may
infer. To be blown twice within a
Ffnighf through your doorway, Jim,
certainly food for gossip
Il want the pretty lady TO read TO
.e,- small voice interrupted Read
,isn she said persuasiyely, holding
Ut q letter.
Kate picked the child up ind took
De letter from her. why, this Is ad-
ressed to me- she exclaimed
Jim gave g start and glanced toward
he drawer Of his library table. He
lrned 70 Kate In explanation
That letter wss written years ago,
nd l. have often wondered Why re
.