The Mena weekly star., 1917-02-15
AN UNsENT LETTER
By SUSAN E. cLAcETT.

NNSAf luOuBHt l Ddu Ho HeENtS-
 AS 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 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. Ill.,"
 Will I answer?" q pleasant voice asked, and without waiting for a reply a blue-gowned figure crossed the room. hastily secured the blinds and closed the windows.
 T 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 gracious"
 Jim turned his head as his man came into the room carrying a kicking, squirming bundle, which he put hastily down.
 Sure, Mir. Jim. I hopes you'll never send me again for such a little tiger cat"
 q aln't no tiger cat" came with suppressed sob from the small being on the hearth rug.
 Jim looked at the child with curi- ous 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.
 "Ohl 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 Hilrs throat.
 The two grown-ups looked at each other in silence as she sobbed herself into a heavy sleep Then only did Kate Hill speak.
 What is it all about, JimT"
 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 dead. and she has not a relative in the world. l leave little property that is well invested. sufficient for her needs. Am too tired now to write more Yours, TOM"
 ''That came this morning. Poor Tom ! He went to Colorado, hoping the change would prolong his life
 Poor little walf !" she said softly, q would take her home with me, but I am going away this afternoon. can help you. however. My housekeep- CTS sister has lost her child. She needs 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 ankle lets me get about has been the one comfort I 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 now and then the better"
 "We will talk about it when I 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 a 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 looked like manuscript, and in her lap was a bundle of letters. Kate turned to Jim with smile:
 ''It is to be hoped Mrs. Grundy hal been driven to the back of her house by the storm, else my reputation may suffer. To be blown twice within 6 fortnight through your doorway, Jim is certainly food for gossip"
 T want the pretty lady to read tt me-" small voice interrupted. "Reat this" she said persuaslvely, holding out a letter.
 Kate picked the child up and tool the letter from her. "Why, this is ad dressed to me-" she exclaimed.
 Jim gave n start and glanced towart the drawer of his library table. H., turned to Kate i'll explanation.
 ',rhat letter was written years age and I have often wondered why I re ceived no reply. Why it was no mailed do not know, but chance has thrown it into your hands. Read 1t and give me the answer to the ques ton I then asked" He turned to tn, window, looking with unseeing eye out into the storm.
 She was silent so long that he a last turned to her.
 Holding the child close, she locke,