The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1920-10-16
LETTER FOR HULDAH
BY MRS. /. s. CHARLTON.
Copyright. 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
syndlcate.)

liz Aot0ah otCV1 ~
with a square envelope in her hand.
Usually she broke the seals In her
brisk fashion, but today she fingered
the envelope rather doubtfully. Hull
dab. her pretty niece, was with her
now, and Miss Huldah Merriam"
might mean either one or the other"
Curiosity. however. led Miss Huldah
to open the letter and glance at the
signature. Then a strange thing hap
pened. She dropped the letter to her
feet, as II II had hurt her. for the
name signed was that of the man who
had once been more to her than all
else in the world. her girlhood friend,
Robert Eustis.
Yet 1t was not the handwriting she
had once so well known. Possibly
there was some mistake. Mechan-
ically she picked up the letter. and
began to read. It was for her niece
after all. this frank. boyish note. which
read thus:
Dear Huldahs We are going to be
in Riverton for a few days. Will put
up at the hotel. ! suppose you are
still with your aunt. I'm awfully glad
that I may have another chance to see
you before we leave for California.
VIII your aunt let me run In some
evening, just as | used to do when you
were home? Please write as soon as
possible.
"Ever your friend.
ROBERT EUSTIS."
Seems like a good. straightforward
letter. Aunt Huldah murmured. HUI
dab won't be home till tomorrow night
but there 1t would be all right for
me to tell him Of my mistake. and in
vite him anyway. I wonder, and a visit
full look came into Aunt Huldah's face
she wondered If he knew about the
other Robert. Signing a little. she
wrote a note inviting Huldah's friend
for the next evening.
Next morning. she tried to forget the
past. and resolutely put her thoughts
upon the present-Huldah's return.
and the coming of the expected guest.
Early in the afternoon she was ar
ranging a great bunch Of roses In the
living room. when the door beh rang
loudly. "Much too early for either Of
my young folks" thought Aunt Hull
dab. as she answered II.
The figure at the door was no longer
young. with Its broad shoulders and
well-set head. crowned with curling
gray hair. Miss Huldah gave one
glance at the clear. searching blue
eyes: then gasped: Robert !" YES"
said the man at the door. "you invited
me. and ] came"
Yes. here he was after long years.
with pleading In his voice. as he an
swered her half whispered words. 'the
Invitation was intended for another"
with 81 know. Huldah--I know II was
my boys. and I had no right to II.
And I won't cross your threshold till
o say I may"
Miss Huldah softened. Come in"
she said gently. "and I will explain
also want to hear about you-and the
other Robert" There Is not much
to TELL" he said. seating himself
by the vine-wreathed window. "Shall
I begin where we left of. Huldah?"
please" she said. bravely. and the
man at her side began his story.
IT left you with my heart full of an.
ger. Huldah. know now that I was
In the wrong, and 7 ask your forgive
ness. Then ! went West and tried 70
forget you by digging away at a stead.
lily growing law practice. One day
looking yer nj Eastern paper. I saw
the notice of the marriage of Edward
Thompson and Huldah Merriam
cousin Huldah" Miss Merriam
gasped. 81 thought Of no one hut you
then" was the reply. "I.ater on
met a lovely little California girl
whose love for me healed the old
wound q little. Robert was born. and
both our hearts were bound up In him
A few years ago h Slipped away
from us. and since then 7 have lived
solely for my hoy. Otherwise. my life
seems an empty q That is all. HUI
dah-or at least II was until today
when I opened Rob's letter by mistake
and saw the dear old name In the ole
uuHuWTluuS. iOOkine Udtk ut mc
Could you forgive me. Huldah. and lei
me begin all owe again?"
Miss Huldah's eyes were misty. ant
her voice trembled. but she laid hel
hand on the judges with a womanly
comforting touch. 1--WE were both tot
hasty." she said. "You were hot-tem
pered. and I was proud. And
have been lonely all these years.
was a terrible mistake. we rant brini
back the old lost days. but" "w,
may see many glad ones In the ia
ture." said the Judge softly. And aftel
her whispered Eyes" no more word
were needed. At last Miss Huldal
thought of her niece. and the invite,
guest. 81 must see about dinner" sh'
laughed, Twill you stay. Robert. seein,
that your son. whom I invited here to
day. will no doubt accompany yo'
homer" "Poor Bob" chuckled tn