The Meeker herald., 1919-06-07

asked II he might not call as soon -
they were settled
Late that afternoon when AiIss
Elisabeth rested In the quiet. home
like rooms on Frsnley street. Phyl-
lis went to the post once. Coming
back In the car Mall Carrier Dorrell
Lee moved his pack to make room for
her. She smiled her thanks, and
something In the upward lift of her
lips took the old man to his youth. He
noted she got OF at the street on which
lay part Of his route.
That evening he sat for 4 long time
time thinking Of Dimple-he often
thought Of her now, since Sophie was
gone. For the old, old reason that her
family thought his family not as good
as hers they hadn't let him marry
the good girl he loved. 80 he came
away. and here out West. Sophie mnr-
ried him. II had been because he WIS
sorry for her struggle with poverty !;
travngant shrew who never allowed
him to save a penny in the 40 years
she handled his maIl-carrier's pay.
Only their youngest child grew up.
and she had married and gone to live
In Maine. And Sophie had died. and
he had been transferred to another
city. II he didn't always hive to be
sending Mona money he often thought
he might be able to save little for
the days when he could no longer COM
fortably carry a postman's pack. but
the Bradys were thriftless. and he
hadn't the heart to deny Mona's In
sistent demands.
All, we'll, It couldn't be helped-the
child might have been less selfish II
Dimple had heen her mother, but they
hadn't let him marry Dimple! II he
had married her and she had died.
like Sophie. even his loneliness would
he honorable. he thought. and he
would have had happy memories OF
her.
One day when Phyllis received
a letter addressed Miss Phyllis OAR
reli FIRTH" old Lee. with whom she
had become quite friendly. smiled as
he handed 1t to her. (All sophie's nag
cling had not quenched his ready
SMILEY
MY first name IL Darrell. my moth.
er's family name. Perhaps We are
relatives"
milne was given me by my aunt"
she told him; "but 1t was just a name
she fancied. think"
As he went out she noticed he limp
ed a little.
"Rheumatism He smiled as
cheerfully as though rheumatism
were fine thing for Q mall car
rier.
~ wish you could stop work .
whIle!" she spoke wistfully.
II can't, my dear. II ! could. I'd
stop today and have Jolly rest-I be
iIeve I'd get kind Of young. But I've
got to keep going as long a. the gov
eminent lets me. and glad 10 get to
10. You see. I've never saved up.
But don't you worry. my dear" he
patted her arm, don't you worry. ~
dear"
Every day of the seven days they
had been on Fremley street Miss Ellis
abeth had walked out and sat for Q
while each evening on the bench BY
the castor bean tree. but usually she
sat In her room reading or sitting
knitting, the lace work In her lap for.
gotten.
"She looks like she's In some happy
tiream." the girl said to herself; I'm
no glad she doesn't have to work any
more-that she's got time to dream
but wish my dear old postnan had
half she's got. That would keep them
both In luxury. Or. things are 70 un-
evenly divided"
The next morning Phyllis went quite
early for an all-day auto picnic In the
mountains with her friends, and at
nine o'clock Miss Elisabeth went down.
for the 6rst time to meet the pose
man. Standing on the little porch she
watched him come across the street.
lie was at least seventy. but he bore
himself valiantiy: he did not stoop.
and he held up his head calamity and
smiled when he saw her waiting, and
with his smile the ghost Of youth came
In his worn cheeks. Something clutch.
ed Miss Ellsabeth's heart.
he hetO out sheat OF ietterA.
''Niiss Phyllis Firth. Miss Il. Brown"
Then she knew his voice.
"Oh. Darrell. Darrell I" she was say
Ing. "wherc have you been all these
ycars7"
He stared at her; the letters fell to
the floor. He was trembling and hold
Ing out his hands.
"Dimple. Dimplei I never thought
Of Miss E. Brown rs you! Oh. my
girl. Is It your"
That evening when Phyllis. radI.
ant thing. came up the stairs. volney
Bronner (Oh. volney Bronner didn't
care one bit II she did stay ON COM
mon streeiD heard voices In her
nunt's sitting room. Lee opened the
tnoP