Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-12-31
SHElLA'S FRIEND
BY MILDRED WHITE.
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stantly added tasks of the city apart
ment had grown to be more than Sheila
could bear. She must 20 away, the
doctor said, and soon. Pretty, fashion
able Aunt Gwen petulantly objected.
But the doctor was firm, and scrib-
bled a certain country address on his
prescription pad. Tell Mrs. Saun-
ders l sent you" he ordered crisply,
and Sheila had gone.
The money question was not q 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 suffi-
Client store. ut 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 a great red house from her
small window in Mrs. Saunders home.
Sheila wondered who had selected
that 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 10 be great
doings there when l was a girl and
Miss Wren was q girl too. Thought
we were hOnored TO be asked to one
of her fine parties, but now she's plumb
alone. Folks all died of, and Worthy
Wren's got queer living alone. Some
used to say she was In love with the
man her sister married. I 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
guess Worthy never heard from either
Of EN- 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 happy
f1i 1Shi In oil RI hlnntt1 n n
the lonely old woman, and the young
The girl found most of her comfort
that summer upon the pillared veran,
das of Miss Wrens home.
/ AS fall came and fallen leaves
cracked beneath her feet in Miss
Wren's garden, Sheila was loath tC
/ go back to the prison of Aunt Ovens
close apartment. Worthy Wren Lad
/ protited, 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 tc
the village? 1t must take a 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 l have may be made with care
/ to last my lifetime. l live almost in
/ one room during the winter"
/ Sheila took to bringing certain dona'
lions for mutual luncheon parties after
| that.
II WISH" wrote Aunt Gwen, thai
you would hurry back for the fall
house cleaning, Sheila; everything il
in perfect mess"
"Your progress" wrote the doctor
back in the city, us satisfactory.
know your needs and advise you tC
stay where you are for another month
In the glory of an October moon
Sheila went up the hill with her offer.
ings for festive supper. Miss Wor.
thy put logs on the fireplace and the
tea table was drawn before 1t. The
white head was bent close to the gold.
en-brown one, when the doorbel
changed Sheila FASTENED to answer
A young man stood there In the moon.
light, a big young man with 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 II over later the big
young man and she, as he escorted
her down hill.
Mother sent me-" he explained
Mothers not much like Aunt Worthy
fancy, but she wanted to make VI
after all the years"
Jack Temple paused thOughtfully.
"If you know of any one | could en-
gage to stay with Aunt Worthy through
the winter?"
The prompt response of the pretty
girl at his side brought from the youne
man an astonished stare.
81 Will stay with her" Shella re
piled, and when the SHOWS Of the fol
lowing December were heaped about
the great house doorway, Miss Wrer