The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-03-08
AN uNsENr LETTER
BY SUSAN e. cLAogrr.

this from a little touch VI fever
Nervea! I Thought I had nv nerves.
As a matter " fact. Il had h,xM a
severe attack ~ typhoid. With so Hn.
gering Il convalesren,S> that his phySt.
clan ordered him III rtMrn Nv the
empty old house IN New England, that
had been his hoyhANi home. Il hi
wished IL regain his strength.
To the las, he had protested. hut
without avail. and now he had been In
the New England village for week,
literally confined to the house. ~ 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"
"Wil I answer?" a pleasant voice
asked. and without waiting for q reply
blue-gOwned figure crossed the room.
hastily secured the blinds and closed
the windows.
81 saw William ahead Of me as I
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. I 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
amazernent, 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.
ooh! I 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 Hills throat.
The two grown-ups looked ut each
other in silence as she sobbed herself
into a 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
{ will have passed into the unknown
country. Because of the closeness of
our friendship I am sending you the
delight Of my heart. Her mother is
lead. and she has not a relative in the
world. leave little property that
Is we'll invested, sufficient for her
needs. Am too tired now to write
more. Yours, TONI"
"Poor little waltz" she said softly,
II would take her home with me, but
[ am going away this afternoon.
can help you, however. My housekeep-
er's sister has lost her child. She
needs home and will suit you. I
will send her over"
"Thank you. Did you say you are
going away? The thought that
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 I
hoped we might return to them. I
will be your neighbor for many months,
and the sooner we forget the years
that lie between now and then the
better"
1--WE will talk about it when come
back" she replied evasively.
She stood beside him for an instant
laughing down into his gloomy face.
perhaps, Jim, may not stay as long
as had intended" she said. and with
these words she left the room.
To his surprise she returned within
ten days; returned in storm that
broke in torrents Of rain as she neared
Jim Chapman's gate. AS on that first
day, 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
| tOOkeu uhc nluuuSCFlpt, uHu Ill Her
lap was bundle of letters. Kate
turned to Jim with smile:
1T 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 a
fortnight through your doorway. jim
Is certainly food for gossip"
II want the pretty lady to read to
me-" small voice interrupted. "Read
this" she said persuasively. holding
out letter.
Kate picked the child up and took
the letter from her. "Why, this is ad
dressed to me-" she exclaimed.
Jim gave q start and glanced toward
the drawer Of his library table. he
turned to Kate in explanation.
"That letter was written years ago
and I have often wondered why re
ceived no reply. Why it was moi
mailed do not know, but chance hat
thrown 1t into your hands. Read It
and give me the answer to the ques
ton then asked" He turned to thu
window, looking with unseeing eye.
ont into the storm.