Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-20

isn't, Ned. I-of course, we'll see hel
some time. and / don't want you to
get a wrong idea. She's naughty, Ned
Naughty and--well, stiff, I guess, and
easily upset"
Like the clothespole," said Ned, ant
| he hung his hat on it and 1t fell over
on the floor with a bang. He picked
the thing up and set it on it's legs
MY dear Aunt Jane" he said, bow
ing low to it. II do beg your pardon
You must excuse my familiarity. But
1 will say, on behalf of all, that you
are a darling
"Oh, you'd never say that to her"
cried Jane. mot to Aunt Jane"
4 X * X
TT seemed, from what Mrs. Hale had
= said, that Aunt Jane had been in
California when the invitation reached
Detroit, and Aunt Jane had only put
a foot in Detroit and then was out
again, hurrying to New York to catch
a steamer for France. The steamer
left the next morning, Aunt Jane had
told Mrs. Hale, and Aunt Jane had to
go to East Orange, but she was sorry
she could only give money-she wished
could have given a gift. Something
Japanese, Mrs. Hale said. because
if there is anything I do know Mrs.
Hale had said Aunt Jane had said
" 1t is Japanese art.
Japanese art!' scoffed Jane. "Just
think Ned--a thousand dollars! And
know exactly what I'm going to do
with it,
You're going to do exactly what
you want to do with it," said Ned.
I'm going to buy things for our
apartment" declared Jane. I'm 60
ing to have the loveliest furniture we
can get with this money"
And I can sit on the COUCH said
Ned triumphantly but you can't
Fido. Ffdo, get down off that couch.
How dare you. Go to the Kitchen
Even Mrs. Hale was excited by the
size of the box that came just after
dinner that night. All the boarders
stood around. eager to see what had
come for Jane from Toshikawa & Co.
After leaving the boarding house
that afternoon, Aunt Jane had stepped
into the taxi she had kept waiting at
the door.
And now" she said, 1.-The ferry, or
whatever it is, for East Orange, New
Jersey. Do you know how to get
there?"
Yes, ma am was the reply, but
that taxi never did take Aunt Jane to
the ferry, or whatever it was. The
taxi was speeding nicely down the ave-
nue. when Aunt Jane. looking out of
the window. saw the two big windows
Of Toshikawa & Co.
Driver! Driver" she called, tap
ping on the glass that separated him
enough! Stop here"'
Amt Iona Lnauy Tpchflxoxro onI
Company and she knew they were
honest and reliable, but that did not
concern her at the moment. In De-
troit was a lady named May Ann
Washington, of mahogany.brown hue
and vastly girth, and she had been
cook for Aunt Jane for just eight
months. During those eight months
Aunt Jane had been at home not over
seven weeks, but, none the less, May
Ann had been faithful and she was
good-natured cook. If she left to get
married. it was an entirely reasonable
leaving.
clerk who approached her when she
entered the shop, "a pair Of vases. I
know just what I want, so don't try
to sell me anything else. want vases
about this high, and l want them with
lot of red and yellow on them. and
plenty of gold. The more hideous
they are the more she'll be pleased"
Every beautiful vase, yes" said the
clerk. Ten dollar"
a "a pair?" asked Aunt Jane.
Ten dollar, two" said the clerk
cheerfully.
"Tn take them" said Aunt Jane.
You wouldn't believe any human be-
ing could make anything so hideous,
would you?"
Yes, nam. Very beautiful vase"
Here's where I want them sent
said Aunt Jane, writing on the back
OF one of her cards. Find out for
me what the express will be; want
to pay it"
She followed the clerk, but present
ly she stopped him. She was standing
before a noble chest. She bent down
to study the workmanship Of the de-
sign, and opened the lid to look inside.
And what do you want for this?"
she asked.
1.-TWO hummer dollar" said the
nese box" The box was superb.
Zone hundred and fifty dollars"
said Aunt Jane.
1.-TWO hummer dollar" the clerk in.
sisted. 1t was a bargain at that
price Aunt Jane knew.
We'll" she said, I'm take it. And
I want 1t sent to this address this eve
ming. You understand? Send 1t right
away"
Yes, mann. Right away" the
clerk said, and he took Aunt James
card, on which she had written James
name and with love" and Mrs. Hale's
address.
When, the last of the creaking
boards of the lid of the case had been