The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-09-07

but can only think Of you as-ths
Bugaboo.v
He threw back his head and
laughed. That's what they call me. be-
cause the first year came here for
the summer hunted butterflies, sup
pose. But supposed you knew was
Amos Reeves son, Amos Reeve, Jr.
You have heard Of my fatherf" He
gave me a bright, inquiring look.
What had his father done that
should know him? shook my head.
"Never mind. then. You haven't had
much Of a vacation, have your"
mo-" l said. I couldn't pretend I
had. ION account Of Aunt Maria's
sickness-but I'm not sorry l came"
He put his hand over mine, quickly.
Neither am l." he said.
"And tomorrow Pm going to crowd
into one day all you've missed In a
month. I'll take you up and beyond
those mountains. I'll show you view
you'll never forget and that is worth
waiting lifetime to see. VIII you
come? Meet me at 4 o'clock In the
morning"
"But Aunt Maria"
"I'll fix Aunt Maria," he promised.
grimly. II happen to know she's lived
through rheumatic attack more than
once without your help"
SO, In the cold, gray mist. stole
out to meet the Bugaboo. A pale moon
was dying In the sky, and In the east
the day was struggling to be born. In
stead Of the rattling old car, Won
derful gray roadster stood before the
gate.
"The old bus couldn't travel fast
enough for us today" he explained,
''for we're going to ride right into the
rising sum-"
It was IL o'clock when he set me
down before Aunt Marias gate. The
house was lighted and Aunt Maria, up
and dressed, came to meet me In the
hall.
"My starsl thought you'd never
come. My rheumatic left me the mint
/ see Zubie Coffin come into the yard.
You tell Amos Reeve I'll pick my own
nurses. thank you! wouldn't let her
wait on me no more'n q toad. Come
into the kitchen and I'll make you
cup of tea.
you don't know" went on Aunt
Maria, "how I've missed you. I
wouldn't think l could be so fond Of
anyone in so short time. l hate to
have you go-nex Monday. Couldn't
you come here and live with me?
amt always cranky. kinder overdid
1t this time, to see what you'd do. I'll
make up to you for the miserable
month you've had. I'll get an auto for
you and"
There were tears in Aunt Maria's
eyes. She set down my cup Of tea and
patted my hand softly. Then she
looked at my finger. had hardly
had time to look at the ring Amos had
given me until then. 1t scared me lit
| tie. 1t was so big and shining.
"Where'd you get thatY asked Aunt
Maria.
ut is my engagement ring. Amos
Reeve gave 1t to me today. I'm going
to marry him and live here all my
life"
Aunt Maria turned the ring around,
thoughtfully. "Pretty, amt it" she
asked. "And worth a mint. I've seen
1t before. Amos father gave It to
your mother and she wore It a long
time, and then she met your father.
Henry Murdoch, and she gave Amos
back his ring. Your mother was the
prettiest girl In the village, Gall, and
you're as pretty, sometimes I think
prettier."
She patted my hand tenderly. .Don't
ever let anyone make you think for a
minute of giving It back; the ring, I
mean. Amos Reeves son Is good
man and his father left him lot Of
money. You've feathered your nest
pretty well. although suspect you
didn't know II. You'll come and see
me sometimes won't your I'm lone
some old woman and there amt ever
been anyone was fond OF so much
since your mother went away"
I kissed Aunt Maria then and, al
though she wiped 1t of, knew she
liked II, for moment later she kissed
me quickly, on my hand that wore
Amos ringi