The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-10-28
SHEILA'S FRIEND
BY MILDRED WHITE.
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Sheila had been sent TO the hill
country because of poor health. Her
Aunt Gwendolen, in care-free pleasure
loving life, could not realize or SYM
pathiZe with frailneSs, and the con-
stantly added tasks of the city apart
ment had grown to be more than Sheila
could bear She must go away the
doctor said, and soon. Pretty, fashion
able Aunt Gwen petulantly objected.
But the doctor was firm, and scrib-
bled certain country address on his
prescription pad. Tell Mrs. Saun-
ders / sent YOU" he ordered crisply,
and Sheila had gone.
The money question was not a very
important one; living expenses in the
far away village were not those of the
city. Aunt Gwen none too graciously
volunteered assistance from her sufil-
cient store. 1T is due you for your
services" the old doctor drily re-
marked
Sheila was not unhappy in her
isolation. At first there was the novel
sensation of freedom. Never had she
been free to seek joy or relaxation
and then she found delight in planning
walks of exploration about the cOun-
try. High upon the hill side, she
Viewed great red house from her
lmall window in Mrs. Saunders home.
Shella wondered who had selected
t.at lonely space for the lowered
abode, and went down at last to ask
her hostess.
That's the old Wren place." Mrs.
Saunders told her. USED TO be great
dOings there when / was a girl and
Miss Wren was a girl too. Thought
we were honored to be asked TO one
of her fine parties, but now she's plumb
alone. Folks all died off, and Worthy
Wren's got queer living alone. Some
used to say she was in love with the
man her sister married. / don't know,
but Worthy and Ben Temple were
friends from childhood and when
Becky Wren came back all bright and
snappy from boarding school-seemed
she'd grown up all at once and her
ways just turned Ben's head.
"He married Becky suddenly, and l
guess Worthy never heard from either
of 'em after they went off somewheres
to live"
Sheila thought the story over as she
started up the hill. Miss Wren was
in her springtime garden when she got
there.
$50 you would like to see my flow
ers?' she said. "Come right in, you
will be most welcome; pleasing visi-
tors are a rarity with me-"
Sheila returned to the farmhouse
laden with spring blooms, and q happy
friendship also came to bloom between
the lonely old woman, and the young.
The girl found most of her comfort
that summer upon the pillared veran-
das Of Miss Wren's home.
AS fall came and fallen leaves
cracked beneath her feet in Miss
Wren's garden, Sheila was loath to
go back to the prison of Aunt Ovens
close apartment. Worthy Wren lad
profited, too, by the girls companion
ship. She often laughed softly in an
echo of almost forgotten laughter,
"Why don't YOU" Sheila suggested,
"leave this big place and go down to
the village? 1t must take great deal
to keep it up"
1t was then that her first realization
came of her friends real need. at
does take a good DEAL" Miss Wor-
thy reluctantly admitted. "but the
money / have may be made with care
to last my lifetime. i live almost In
one room during the winter"
Sheila took to bringing certain dona-
lions for mutual luncheon parties after
that.
1T WISH" wrote Aunt Gwen, "that
you would hurry back for the fall
house cleaning, Shella; everything is
in a perfect mess"
"Your progress" wrote the doctor
know your needs and advise you to
stay where you are for another month"
In the glory of an October moon,
Sheila went up the hill with her offer
ings for a festive supper. Miss Wor-
thy put logs on the fireplace and the
tea table was drawn before It. The
white head was bent close to the gold
en-brOwn one, when the doorbell
changed. Sheila FASTENED to answer.
A young man stood there in the moon
light, a big young man with a good
natured face.
81 am Jack Temple" he announced.
II have come TO see my aunt"
"Come in" she invited, land have
some tea"
They talked It over later, the big
young map and she, as he escorted
her down hill.
"Mother sent me-" he explained.
Mothers not much like Aunt Worthy,
I fancy, but she wanted to make up
after all the years."
Jack Temple paused thoughtfully.
"If You know of any one l could en-
gage to stay with Aunt Worthy through
the winterT
The nromnt rpgnongp of the Drpttv