Okolona messenger., 1921-02-17

Aunt GwendOlen, IN care-free pleAsur
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 Shelli
could bear. She must 80 away, the
dOcNOr said, and soon. Pretty, fashion
able Aunt Gwen petulantly objected. I
But the doctor was firm, and scrib
bled a certain country address on hi:
prescription pad Tell Mrs. Saun
ders | sent YOU" he ordered crisply
and Shella had gone.
The money question was not 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-
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
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 to be great
dOings there when l was a girl and
Miss Wren was 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 maFried. don't knew,
but Worthy and Ben TeRple were.
friends from childhood and when
Becky Wren came back all bright and
snappyr from boarding schOol-seamed
she'd grown up all at once and her
ways just turned Ben's head.
He married Becky suddenly, and i
guess Worthy never heard from either
Of 'em after they went OF sOmewheres
to live"
Shella thought the story ever as she
started up the hill. Miss Wren was
ln'her springtamesSafden when she got
there.
$50 you. would like to see my dow-
ersT she said. "COme right in, you
will be most welcome: pleasing visl-
tors are a. rarity with me-"
Sheila retuGed to the farmhouse
laden with spring blooms, and a happy
friendship also came to bloom between
the lonely old woman, and the young.
The girl founf most of her comfort
that summer GpOn the pillared vsran-
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 |
prOtited, too, by the girls companion
ship. She. often laughed softly In an
echo of almost forgotten laughter
why don't YOU" Sheia 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. ut
does tnke good DEAL" Miss WOr-
thy reluctantly admitted, but the
money have may be made with care
to last my lifetime. live almost in
one room during the winter"
Sheila took to.bringIng certain dona-
tons for mutual luncheon parties after
that
Il WISH" wrote Aunt Gwen, "that
you would hurry back for the fall
house cleaning, 'Shella; everything is
In perfect mess"
"YOur progress" wrote the doctor
back in the city. ''is~ satisfactory.
Snow 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
ngs for festive supper. Miss WOr-
.hy put logs on the fireplace and the
ea table was drawn before It, The
white head was bent close to the gold
sn-brOwn one,s when the doorbell
Hanged. Sheila hastened to answer.
young man stood there in the moon
ight big young man with a good
latured face.
II am Jack Temple" he announced.
I have come to see my aunt"
Come in" she invited, "and have
ome tea"
They talked it over later, the big
'Oung man and she. as he escorted
Ter down hill.
Mother sent me-" he explained,
Mothers not much like Aunt Worthy.
fancy, but she wanted to make up
fter all the years"
Jack Temple paused thoughtfully.
"If you know of any one could en-.
age to stay with Aunt Worthy through
he winterT
The prompt response OF the pretty
irI at his side brought from the young
lan an astOnlshed stare.
al will Stav with har " ShplIa ra