Morris tribune., 1919-10-31

the estimation of Mrs. Jennie Dunn.
She was a widow of forty, but assO-
citation with "thOse dear children" as
she had called them, had kept her
young. Warren HOlcOmb their uncle,
who had taken care of them since
their widowed father had died, shared
in the opinion Of the brisk, bustling
matrOn. He never ceased to bless the
day when Mrs. Dunn purchased the
other half of the duplex house.
The first time she saw the dazzling
trio Of beauties she fell completely in
love with them. Mr.. HOlcOmb had
adopted them only a month previous,
and began to doubt his ability to care
for three growing, active young ladies,
as he called them, when he discovered
Mrs. Dunn under the giant tree that
shaded the double garden, with Aida
at her feet, Valeria's sunny head rest
ing on her shoulder and the more ma
tured Bertha's arm lovingly encircling
her waist. A sensation of immense
relief Surged in his being, as he hoped
this was the beginning of an associa-
ton of those young spirits with one
who could act as guide, counsellor and
true and tender friend
With joy Mrs. Dunn accepted the
task without a word being spoken
about it. It came to be regular event
for at least one of the sisters to be a
guest at the Dunn home the greater
part of the day.
Evenings in the summer time they
formed a coterie their uncle loved to
watch seated in the corner of the
porch on a garden bench, cOmforta-
bly, smoking his pipe. When winter
came he was only too happy to be their
escort to entertainments or to join the
little circle about the piano and be
one of the most charming company in
the world.
Almost before he realized it, they
were grown-up young ladies, indeed.
Every time he paused to think what
q model, well-ordered household the
silent, constant influence of Mrs. Dunn
had created, he dared scarcely to meet
her engaging glance or allow his eyes
to rest upon face fair and velvety
as that of a girl of twenty.
"She is a jewel among women !" he
self cOmmuned, "and she has been more
than a mother to those dear girls.
Soon they will be wandering off in
search Of life mates, so I had better
enjoy my treasures while they are
with me, and be prepared for the part
ing wrench when it comes"
That lowered at last. The grada-
tons were fairly imperceptible, until
one afternoon Mr.. Holcomb expert
enced a shock when Mrs Dunn said
abruptly:
"Mr. Holcomb, those young men
who have been regular callers on the
girls for the past year have settled
down each to a choice"
"YOu mean that they are engaged?
! guessed that" and then he looked so
helplessly forlorn that Mrs. Dunn be-
slowed a sympathetic, consoling look
upon him that showed the true, tender
woman she was.
There followed q full consideration
of the theme that now became upper
most in all minds involved. Naturally,
the six young people were immersed
in their own special affairs. The
triple wedding was a matter of rare
interest to all their many friends, and
the house was the center of rare bus
Ting activity and interest.
Mrs. Dunn fairly shone in her new
province of directing the arrangements
for the wedding. The three married
couples were to settle down after the
honeymoon within a short distance Of
Belleville. The day after they had
departed Warren HOlcOmb stepped
across the yard to where Mrs. Dunn
was seated on her own porch. There
were traces of tears on her cheeks.
She, however, affected brisk, smiling
animation.
Bertha told me you were thinking
Of selling the house and going to live
with a sister," remarked Mr.. Holcomb.
II wish it were not necessary" was
the reply, "but, being all alone, with
our dear girls gone, makes such diff
ference"
"'Our' dear girls, yes, Mrs. Dunn.
You can indeed lay claim to all their
love. hardly know what to do. It
will be terribly lonesome. The house
will not be large enough to accommo-
date all this happy group when they
cone to see US, and when the little
ones appear on the scene later"
''Why don't you cut through the par
tition and make it into one big com.
Portable house."
There Mrs. Dunn paused, flushed
and drew back embarrassed. And
there Warren Holcomb's eyes flashed
with a new suggestion. She was like
q woman who had committed herself
unwarily, and flushed and tremored
like shy young girl.
"You mean you will sell me your
half of the houseT
81 did not; but, but"
"You don't mean to say that you
would stay-that after bestowing the
care of mother upon our dear ones
l.