The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-09-06
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
.UNWELCCME GUEST
Ey JACK LAYTON.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The married life Of Beatrice and
Billy had been ideally happy. But
when he entered the little fiat one day
and gave to Beatrice "a letter. Billie's
manner was constrained
It's from aunt" he explained terse-
~, wants to come and visit US"
Not" Beatrice said, your Aunt
Dru>illa, Billy?"
Being that Aunt Drusilla is the
only auut l possess, it is naturally
herself" His tone was pettish.
Beatrice'S soft eyes filed with tears.
But Billy" she protested, we just
can't have her. We've been 50 bliss
full alone. Your father has always
held up this sister of his us a para
=On hOuSekeeper. You know how very
particular your mother says she was
abOUt-eyerything She's unmarried
Of course. and will criticize me, and
MY lack of system, and oh! you
needn't tell ME" as Billy ventured a
remonStrance-'I know that exem-
plary kind of woman. She will be the
snake in our Eden"
Beatrice caught herself up. How
long is she going to stay, Billy?"
The young husband avoided his
wife'S aggrieved eyes.
About month, she says" ne re-
piled.
Beatrice stiffened defiantly.
We'll. she won't stay month
here" she said.
AUNT Drusilla writes" Billy sug-
gested, that she is longing to meet
her new niece. She hasn't seen me
since l was almost a kid. She was
going to be married then, remember,
but something broke it of"
"Her own exacting disposition prob
ably" Beatrice spitefully remarked.
That's not quite fair Of yOu," Billy
defended. His wife smiled.
you see" she said. shes begin
ming TO make trouble between us al
ready"
Trouble indeed seemed 20 fall to
Billy's lot Mentally he blamed the
aunt who insisted upon thrusting her
presence where the presence of two,
was all sufficient. And upon the day
of Aunt Drusilla's arrival Beatrice
fell ill.
In vain Billy telephoned various
women helpers. The helpers were
busy. AS a last resort, and though
his pocketbook could i'll afford it, Billy
sought a nurses agency. No nurse
could be promised within three days
at least. And though the malady from
which Beatrice suffered was not
necessarily serious, the doctor assured
him that she must have immediate
care.
Billy himself prepared his wife's
breakfast coffee before he went TO
meet the inevitable Aunt Drusilla, and
Beatrice made a face over the coffee.
ITS horrid," she said, ungraciOus-
ly, land you must insist upon taking
your aunt TO hotel. She can't stay
here now. You see that" The
voice ended i'm an invalid's wall.
Billy hurriedly beat a retreat.
Billy considered his problems as he
hurried his little ear toward the sta
ton. and when he saw his waiting and
aunt, his perplexity
grew.
Here was not quiet old body TO be
lightly disposed of, but a smiling and
assured person in pleasing attire, her
shrewd eyes twinkling at his from be-
Meath waving hair.
My dear boy!' she cried. putting
forth her glOved hand in greeting.
Then. after his very brief response,
IN awful thing happened 10 Billy.
STOPPING in hurried embarrassment TO
start the cars engine. the handle
itself suddenly free from
lis grasp to deal him terrible bloN.
Billy, white with pain, knew what
lfterward proved to be true-that his
lrm was broken.
1t was Aunt Drusilla who gently
Orced him into the car, and her COM
,etent self at the wheel. took him
where prompt aid could be found.
When the doctor had bandaged Billy
ntO relief Aunt Drusilla continued to
rive the car home.
White Tipped and weak, Billy man.
ged to tell his aunt of his young
vife's illness and Of their now help |
ess plight. Alphabetically he sug- |
ested a hotel as her own temporary !
efuge.
Amt Drusilla good humoredly waved
is suggestion aside.
81 wondered" she said laughingly, |
why it was borne fOrcibly upon me |
hat l must spend a month with you;
Ow 1 know"
Beatrice'S first intimatiOn of her I'M
'elcOme guest was when sweet
lced woman bent sympathetically |
Yer her bed. prOffering. as she intro
uced herself, an invitingly arranged
mcheon tray.
Billy has had an injury TO his arm"
he new aunt informed her, land /
ave made him comfortable upon the
ouch.
Now, sit up dearie, and let us get
cquainted while you sample my cook
IL. l am so glad that l happened to