The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-06-29
GETS HER WISHES
BY ELLA r. PEARcE.

sigh OF relief.
Everything ready and ahead of
time. Aren't we wonderful munster"
Then, suddenly ducking her head in
q comically childish way, she slipped
to the elder woman's side and wound
loving arms about her.
$50 soon, dearest-so soon" she
murmured, with catch in her young
voice.
Mrs. Leeds gently stroked the shin
ing head on her shoulder.
Everything has gone splendidly,
Anna" The mother spoke with prac-
teal crispness. She would NOT let her
own voice quaver "And / suppose my
little girl is very happy now"
Anna lifted her head and her eyes
were twinkling.
mot absolutely happy, Mumsie"
She tapped off her words on upheld
fingers. zone, two, three-three things
more | need to make me absolutely
happy"
why, Annar" Mrs. Leeds looked
anxious. II can't imagine what you
have in mind. What more could you
wish for?"
There are three things" repeated
Anna. "Firstly, I wish Van Tredwell
would fall in love with somebody else"
whats the second wish, Anna2"
II wish Lois Mather was coming to
my wedding"
Lois Mathcr" Mrs. Leeds looked
puzzled. "Why, 1 haven't heard you
speak of her lately"
But I've thought q lot" said Anna
quickly.
$50 you want Van Tredwell to for
get you, and Lois Mather to forgive"
."And come to my wedding" inter
rupted Anna lightly. But Of course
she won't. And there's my third wish.
What DO you suppose it ISL"
Mrs. Leeds shook her head.
''Well, wish that someone will give
me n spinet desk for O wedding pres
ent,"
Then Mrs. Leeds laughed mirthfully.
'Anna! Anna! you are such child"
She sat long after her mother had
gone downstairs and thought over their
late conversation.
Anna was deeply in love with the
man she was to marry. But she could
not help remembering Van Tredwelis
boyish attentions; his bashful gallan-
tries; his bitter disappointment at the
end.
Then the boarding school friendship
with Lois Mather How delightful and
satisfying that had been while it last
ed. No girl since that time had evey
| been the understanding friend, the en-
Pertaining companion Lois Mather hat
been.
Mrs. Leeds brought letter TO Annals
room in the sunset hour.
"A big box has come. Something
Grated" she informed her daughter
"Shall have Josh open it for your
Eyes. And I'll be right down.
Anna was opening her letter with {
queer expression on her face. 1t was
from Lois Mather.
"Tve heard of your coming marriage
and the news set me thinking of ole
times, Anna, DEAR" the letter ran
"And it seemed to me you would like
to know of my new happiness, too.
never had a friend like you, Anna"
Anna winEed back a ready tear.
"He's a man from your own town.
one Of your neighbors. Isn't it strange
But the moment Van Tredwell and
met it was q case Of love at sight
You know how those things happen
sometimes. 1t was Van who told me
of your engagement. Van can't get
away just now, but 1 want to come tt
your wedding, Anna, If you'd like me
to-"
"Oh!'' cried Anna, dazed by the sud
den surprise of the news. Van Tired
well and Lois Mather! Met-engag
ed-Lois coming to her wedding! Sh'
turned to the letter again.
1.-THE present is Vans, but the idei
is NINE" were the next words she read
men never know what to buy fol
weddings. But remember how font
you were of old-fashioned thing
and"
Mother" called Anna eXcitedly owe
the railing. "Is that big box open yet
Is it from Van? Don't tell mel know
what it is before see it."
She hurried down the stairs, talking
breathlessly. Mother, the stranges
thing has happened. Vans in love witt
the incest girl ever. Lois Mather''
coming to my wedding. And-she told
Van to send that-she always though
Of the right thing"
Eyes. There's your spinet desk,
, nodded Mrs. Leeds
For a moment Anna gazed at the
much desired new gift. Then, witt
Van Tredwell's card in one hand ant
Lois Mather's letter in the o3her hel
head dropped to her mothers shout
der and happy tears flowed. "Just Il
prove how happy / am" murmureC
Anna.