The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-08-18
THE IMPOsToR
BY ETHEL A. LYONS

| q. 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
| "Why, / don't know" the matron's
voice was dubious, lit is such an un-
usual thing. STILL" both the old ladies
looked up hopefully, II don't see why
1t should make any difference to the
ahead; IL there's any blame, I'll take
the responsibility. Let me know If
can help. Good luck!"
".My amt she finer" Aunt Sarah
Turnbull spoke admiringly to her COM
panion. Il don't see, Marthy, what
makes you so discontented here"
"Yes, Sarah, l expect l am ungrate-
full. don't knows i can explain it
just I do miss my garden and my
chickens, but it's mostly not being
needed. Why, 1 could do sight o.
work yet if only had the chancel"
II know you could, Marthy, that's
why l come to you now. This business
1 have on hand needs gumption, en-.
cheering couldn't handle it in a
thousand years. Now, my son Elmer
u
my board. Its the 18th of April and
he won't be back from Oregon before
November. Let's see," the old lady
hesitated, calculating. "Why, Marthy,
It'll be round two hundred dollars.
ELMER would be terrible put out IL
he knew about it, he don't hold with
helping people much he thinks Jim's
family shiftless, too. ! guess things
have gone to wrack and ruin since
Jim died, but then, what could you
expect when an easy-goin' woman's
left with five children?
II don't hold with aliases, but when
you get down there, Marthy, you'll
have to be Aunt Sally; that's what
Jim always called me-"
81 see, Sarah; don't hold with all
ases, neither, but guess in this case
It's means to Justify the end"
"Annie Barber, what do you expect
me to cook with?" Martha Ransom,
alias "Aunt Sally" glared at Nephew
Jim's wife. "Do you mean to tell me
you keep two cows and passel o.
hens and don't have no butter nor
eggs nor hardly enough milk for your
selves"
''But, Aunt Sally" Mrs. Barber pro-
tested, weakly, "if didn't sell things
how could buy groceries or pay the
doctors bills. or anything"
The rest of the morning Aunt Sally
hustled cheerily about. At noon the
youngsters seated themselves at the
table with hilarious shout. 1t seemed
to them wonderful repast which was
set before them-and, oh, crowhing
glory-a custard pie! Nothing like
this since dad went. Already 1t
brought hint of color to the pinched
faces. Martha beamed with delight.
"Wiiam," she spoke to the eldest
when the meal was concluded, "Pve
been out to the barn this morning
and l found two settin' hens. Know
anybody round has good Plymouth
Rocks? Mr. Ryley has purebreds? You
get two settin's, then. These hens you
got amt nothin' but tramps. And.
while you're about 1t, you hunt up a
couple of little pigs. AS longs this
familys goln' to use butter and cream
there'll be quite a lot of skim milk.
I'll get you the money-and hurry
back. We're goin' to clean the yard
this afternoon"
-
The last day of october came. "Aunt
Sally" was alone and the tears rolled
unheeded down her cheeks TIE
thought of leaving these new friends
of hers and returning to the monotony
Of the old ladies' home was almost un-
bearable. She tremblingly wiped away
the tears as the kitchen door opened.
"Why, Aunt Sally, whatever Is the
matter?" Mrs. Barber deposited an
apron filed with red apples on the
table and came over to the old lady.
"Don't, Annie, don't call me that.
I'm not your aunt Sally, Pm dread
full impostor. You've been so good to
me, and I've been so happy, I couldn't
go away without telling you. Your
husbands Aunt Sally sent me. She
gave me the board money her son sent
her, and she's taking my place in the
old ladies' home. just got letter,
and I've got to 60 back tomorrow and
I-oh, dear" the tears rained down
again.
"Stop, do stopv' Mrs. Barber's own
eyes were quickly filing My dear
friend, If you are an impostor. you
are q dearly loved one. And, oh, I'm
so glad you haven't home! Now we