The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-04-14
Chapter 29
DELPHYs LETTER

DELPHY'S LETTER ME DALE" Delphy came from WI the house. full of new dignity and importance. T have a letter Le'ah an l done fo'get to bring my rcadin glasses. Would you-all read it to me?"
 Judith nodded. She saw through the ruse. Delphy belonged to the generation which could neither read nor write. but proud of their chfl- dren's ability. dreaded to admit their own lack.
 She took the letter and with the light shining through the door at her shoulder, read:
 Dear mmy-Delphy. 1 guess you don't suspect to hear from me so soon"
 "That'l be from Lige," contrib uted pelphy.
 Judith nodded and went on. But 6Ol SOuSiHli5 lO WOAiy NiS- ter Norman, he come long nome from Galveston the night you-all N left and he sure was upsettled. Norman's wife looked up. star tied
 "Delphy. don't know that have right to read this letter" She started to suggest she ask one of the boys to read it. then afraid of what it might contain. went on reading.
 'He brung Mig Dale and Miss lilly with thim. They was sposed to talk to Mig Judy.
 Mister Norman he ask me where Is Mig Judy. 1 tell him she gone to the dam devil and Miss lilly. she make joke from it. She say she told him so and Mister Norman he sit down quick and he say did she leave a letter for him.
 "l tell him she didn't and he say ' where Is Delphy and say she is gone with Mig Judy, and Miss lilly she say. Mig Judy have her nerve when Delphy done raise him for Mig Judy steal you way"
 "Did she say thGtg" fumed Del phy. "She allays has beer the cuss- edess girl in the world Go on Mig Dale"
 "i tell Miss lilly. right sharp. that Mig Dale didn't know you was going l tell her Delphy she say she is real quality and she going to take care of her and l tell her you took s0ose grease and flannel an a brick and chocolate. Mister Norman he laugh some then like he feel bet ter and he say where did Delphy get the money an l tell him you got 1t from me and he say he sure pay me back but 1 tell him you won 1t honess shootin crap and he laugh some more. But he pay me anyhow and now 1 got eighty dol lars and l think l better marry twenty left from her first hus- bands funeral and we can put il in the bank and go to Galveston for our trip.
 - ask Mig Dale. you know, old Mig Dale. if she think that Is good plan and Miss Tilly she speak up and she say it is. cause if Del phy was going to stay till Master Norman got ready 10 take Mig Dale back I'd be too old |, marry" Judith put the letter down a mo. ment. So she had had right to be jealous of Mathle, and Norman was through. Queer to be reading of il. seeing the things she saw through the penciled scrawl of servant. WHAT does he mean. Mig Dale?" W questioned Delphy, puzzled. Goodness only knows" answered Judith and turned again to the let. ter.
 "Mister Norman he is gone up- stairs when she say this, but Mig )ale she don't like it none. l didn't 0 long with him because l ain't lever forgot the time Mister Nor nan had his tenth birthday and 1 mad mine same time. Mister Nor man. he say l can have the box of candy. the biggest one with the red bow. then he go way and Miss lilly she stole that box right outen from under my eyes and she say she have Big Tom boss whip me if I tell 1 didn't want her to steal nothing from Mig Dale so 1 stay. Judith put the letter down again What Mathile was stealing from her couldn't be seen with the physical eye. but it was more valuable than any treasure in Hillendale.
 Read on," prompted Delphy.
 Miss lilly she acted up juss like she own the house. She make some talk about how she'd put the danvcporch by the sun window and then Mig Dale she speak up right sharp. She say Lissen here. Ma lilly. she say. don't you go long hodin' no wake till the patient is sure huff daid.'
 Nanny Delphy. why'd didn't you-all tell me Mig Dale, our young Mig. Dale was so sick?"
 Miss July. what do he mean by that?"
 Judith looked up, her eyes hot with humiliation and bright with tears. 'I think he didn't understand what Mrs. Dale said. She meant that Miss Mathile mustn't =" she sought for a word the woman would under stand, mustn't gloat over MT. Nor man divorcing me until it had ac tually taken place, and then she l