The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-12-13
FOR THE FUND
BY ALICE ROBERTS.
y - y ~ y y ~

Syndicate.j
Helen's cheeks were very rosy and
she looked very happy as she came up
the steps of the little veranda. She
gave her aunt the small package Of
mail without saying a word, and quiet
ly sat on one Of the stiff-backed chairs.
She had just returned from the post
office.
There was silence for moment as
Miss LeOnOra read the first of the let
ters in her methodical way. Then she
shifted little primly, as they do in
New England towns.
Land sakes," she said, there's let
ter from that young Adams Teller from
Boston who used to spend his vaca-
tons with the Bakers before they
moved away, an he wants to know if
could give him room an board for
two weeks. He's gOin' to have
his vacation soon. Well, I de-
clare. Just think of him goin'
an imaginin' that was goin' to take
in any boarders. He ought to know
better'n that"
Her niece smiled q little and for
some reason she put her hand conf
IDENTIFY in her pocket. She seemed not
a bit surprised, but on the contrary,
rather bored.
"Why, the idea. He ought to know
that you were not of the kind that
would take in boarders." She stopped.
"But, aunt" she went on, as though a
thought had suddenly come to her, "if
you were to let him come here, the
money he would pay you would be
such help to the Red Cross fund. You
could donate it, you know"
That was prim Miss Leonora's vital
spot. She was always alert to do her
bit for the cause. This seemed an easy
way to earn something for the fund.
She thought for moment.
"Wel1, that's so. 7 think I'll tell him
that he can come. But now If he
comes, Helen, you must be very care
full how you act and what you say.
You know how the neighbOrs wfll
talk-hOw they talked last sum-
mer when you an him went for
walk. Lam sakes we don't want any
Of the Knittin' club talkin' about us
behind our backs"
"Very well, aunt" and straightway
she lapsed into silence.
Time passes slowly in those little
sleepy towns among the mountains.
The Monday came at last, however,
when "the Adams Teller" was to ar
rive. Miss LeOnora was surprised, and
the Knitting club, in session that
afternoon, was astOunded, when he
drove up to the homely little cottage
in the glory Of great, sleek, power
full roadster.
"Hulloa, in there" was the CHEEKY
greeting which brought Miss Leonora
and soon after Helen-tO the door.
lawfully good of you folks to let me
come"
Prim Miss Leonora received him in
her prim way. Helen's welcome was,
if anything, even more prim than that
of her aunt. But Miss LeOnOra was
soon in raptures over the beauty of
the car. She did not see the twinkle
newly come in Helen's eyes, nor the
bloom which had come on Helen's
cheeks.
"My goodness, what lovely auto
mobile" she said.
The adams Teller" smiled at her,
not seeming to see Helen at all.
"Just let me throw this bag out Of
the way, Miss LeOnOra, and let me
take you for little spin. You'll see
that it runs just as nice as 1t looks
that is, of course, if you'd like me
to-"
Miss Leonora had already gone in
for her newest hat.
"Now, you see," he went on, "the
car only holds two, that we can't take
Hel-er-your niece, along with us.
I'll take her for a little. ride when we
come back-er if may"
LEND, yes. 1t will do her good"
The Wayf1eld Knitting club rose in
q body aghast, as they saw Miss Leo
nora driving through the town in the
adams feller's" car. But when, not
long after, they saw the same car dart
past, ever so much faster, with Helen
sitting by the side Of the adams fell
ler," they laid down their work for
the afternoon and gave themselves up
to speculation on the meaning of the
event.
'What a beautiful day 1t u.s." q de-
mure maiden was saying, when with
the town several miles in the back