Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-12-18

town. suppose he shouldn't come afs
ter all? she asked hcrsclf fearfuly.
But he was the first person or the
train, and the heavy package under
his arm turned ont 10 be- fiyepound
box Of candy for Aunt Mary. Who
says the SiXtyNear-old spinster has
had her day
Aunt Mays friend is going TO bring
her marvellous nephew out here today
and aunty is SO excited she doesn't
know what she's doing"
And YOU ne asked her
Well never having seen him. DONE
know how much ! really have 10 look
forward TO- she laughed happily
They fell into easy conversation aud
Glover felt more az home with him
than any one She had ever known.
They drove home by The longest road.
too. Aunt Mary was delighted with
him, and the candy was the last straw
in his favor lucyS Incompatible
I nephew began to drop few more de-
grees i'm her estimation.
In The Afternoon. while Aunt Mary
took her daily Sicsta, Glover and the
captain Went for - brisk walk II was
showing a little outdoors and he air
was delightfully."- cold and crisp. They
must have walked several miles. and
ON the way home Glover found II dir-
fcult 10 keep mp win The long, regular
strides that had Weathered 81 many
long hikes Al turn in Che road she
fell forward on her knee, before Cor
don could catch her IN second he
lifted her 10 her feet. however. hut did
nor instantly release her. For - mo-
mcnr She felt his rough Overcoac
against her cheek
I'm so sorry. little grl-lm afraid
( I'm no account az all rs an escort
His arm was still very decidedly sup
porting her shoulders.
It's just because his stupid soldier
Is little weary in The feet--if the
troops slow down a little she'll be all
right now. captain
They slowed down good deal, ana
Gordon slipped her fur-clad arm
through his own.
"ltll be easier walking mis- way, IL
you don't mind" he told her
II don't mind, she answered truth
fully.
In a few minutes they reached the
house and Aunt Mary few 20 meet
them.
"Lucys coming, and The Lowe girls
and their brother, and the Grays. too,
dear You children must be tired 10
death-You've been gone 50 long
There's tea waiting for YOU in the
library, 50 run along and TIL tell Susan
about the dessert before it's roo late
Glover slipped Off her coat and has
and sank down on the big davenport 10
front of the fire. Gordon followed suit.
and sighed contcntedly.
"Ths is the incest day I've had la
four years he told her honestly. And
I'm not AT all sure that it isn't the best
one I've her had. either"
you're most polite and fiatterinx
person" scofrcd Glover. rs she snug.
gled cozily down among nest Of Sots
cushions
NO. I'm mott mean every word Ot
it--don't you believe me-"
IL don't know--Ive known you sucb
little time"
Does il seem like such a little while
TO you?"
NO. il doesn't-Oh. | don't know"
she stumbled and concentrated her
gaze upon the fire. 81 think I'd better
60 and change for supper" she began
nervouSly, seeming danger in the air.
But he caught her hand and nearly
wrecked the tea table in his attempt tn
keep her with him.
I'm most terribly i'm earnest; wOn's
you listen 20 me, Glover? OF course
haven't known YOU long, bur love you
i can't help II. Have any chance?"
"Would the ghost of chance satisfy
you" teaSed Clover.
We'll. If | haven't, at least I wons
bother Won any more"
"But 7 wan To he bothered" she
whispered almost inaudibly
After that She didn't say anything
for a long long time
what will Aunt Mary say?" IA
asked her az last.
as long rs I'm not marrying the
Incompatible nephew it won't make
much difference. / guess. And OF
course we've known each other for
forty-eight hours-too-thats long
time in these times, you know
"A lifetime" he assured her
Here she is ," cried portly lady
from the doorway. "Why. Mary upon
my word. if it isn't Phil, Then. he
didn't lose the address after all You
dear children how are YOU
rWhy. Aunt Lucy, | never expected
10 see You hcrc-why didn't YOU tell
me YOU knew Clover?"
'Why didn't YOU tell me YOU did. in
stead OF taking that paper with her
address and pretending you'd never
heard of her before You sly hoy
just what ! told You about him Thurs
day Mary"
II wanted 10 surprise YOU. Aunt
Lucy" lac lied To her cheerfully. Then
ne took a slip of paper from his pocket
and handed il 10 Clover ON II was
written her own name and address.
And ncyef even opened il till this
minute" he whispered in her ear.
Don't ever tell them" she begged
MIN softly.