Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-07-01

It suddenly occurred to Vivian
that her old guardian vas trying to
tell her something about herself. She
bent over, and took the withered old
hands and held them tightly.
What is it you want me to know,
Aunt Martha? Mercedes-who is
Mercedes?"
"Y-you are-Mer"
That was all. Old DR.. Willard also
bent to hear the old lady'S last
words. Vivian turned whittier and
clutched his arm.
Help her. Can't you do some
thing? She is trying to tell me who
I amp"
But the old doctor shook his head
specifically.
She is delirious, my child. I'm
sure she doesn't know who you are
now. She should have told you be-
fore this"
mo, no, she does. I'm sure she
does. Help herr Vivian urged him.
1t was no use. She had apparently
sunk into a coma. Later she re-
vived and broke into a laugh. Her
eyes were wild. The doctor motioned
for Vivian to watch. Martha raised
up on her elbow and pointed at the
girl.
"He-old Johns-good joke-Viv-
ian marry Kent-turn over in grave
tiff he knew it-dancer-ahs ha,
hal"
Her voice trailed off in a fiandish
laugh and Vivian shuddered. Oh! If
she only knew what Aunt Martha
was trying to tell herl
a little later they caught the
words "jade" and necklace" Vivian
remembered that Aunt Martha had
said she would tell her the story
back OF the jade necklace she had
given her on her wedding day and
why she would be glad she had had
| cuff links made for Kent out Of
them. 1t convinced her o than
ever that her guardian was trying
to tell her.
She was so far gone she didn't
recognize Vivian now. Vivian leaned
over the bed and wept softly. Twice
the poor invalid said Mercedes
and "Johns"-then was gone.
The doctor pulled the sheet over
her face, and led Vivian from the
room. Whatever Martha Matthews
had wanted to tell--if she had really
held a secret, was locked IN the ST
lence of death.
The next three days were q
strange nightmare to Vivian. Old
friends and neighbors, solemn and
kindly, coming to and from the lit
tie cottage-bearing messages Of
coincidence and weeping with her.
How strange it was that the only
mother she had ever known seemed
SO much nearer her in death than
she had in life.
Kent gave up his work and stayed
at the house all of the time. Vivian
vas always aware that he was there
opening the door when people
| called, and shaking hands with
them, taking flowers, when the bell
rang. 1t all seemed like a dream.
Mrs. Sullivan, the housekeeper,
stayed from morning until night,
taking care of things and cooking
for the friends and relatives from
out of town.
I'VE didn't know how many
friends we had" Vivian thought.
She knew they hadn't been alone all
those years. That 1t was really her
fault that she hadn't made friends.
1t made her a little ashamed.
They laid Martha Matthews be-
side her family in the little old
cemetery-and Kent and Vivian
went back home. When the will
was read she had left the cottage
and everything she owned in the
world to MY beloved charge, Vivian,
whom I have always loved as one of
my own"
Poor OLD womanl How tragic it
"a that. like Vivian, she had never
been anie to show her affection.
They had lived almost as strangers
ell theiz lives, both hungering for
love and human companionship-
Vivian remembered the times she
had sulked and blamed the poor old
soul for her unhappy lot in life,
with keen pangs Of shame. She be-
lieved, more than ever, that Aunt
Martha knew the story back Of her
birth and had been forced to keep 1t
! q secret all through the years.