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Mi-.
BY PARCELS ,P.OST
By George' Elmei: Cobb.
Bright "as. a dollar,' 'Elsie
Danvers had a great idea in her
busy little head. She "was- drily
nine years old, but she knew more
than most children of -.twelve, and
thought more deeply-and more" to-
"My OldTTime. Happiness Back
to Me." . '
.
a purpose :thari somel' people of
twenty. . . v
Under her. arm vshet carried a
small cardboard jbox;. neatly- done
,up in wrappingpa'perrani' care-
fully' tied. To her.iVfay ofohink
ing it wa's"a vr;y important be
longing W.henrshe. came to;t)te
neat litife.co.ttage; .known as. the
Hyde home,,she,fpuftd its spinster
occupantr'ssc$San
a rustic.bench after her exertions
in trimming the. rose bushes.
Miss Hyde liked the Danvers
people greatly, and little' Elsie
particularly well. She had been
glad to do many a kindness for
pretty Mrs. Danvers,' arid she
truly pitied her patient, sad-faced
husband. The latter was a man
of fine scholarly attainments and
had at one time held aT lucrative
professorship in a. college. Ill
jiealth had .enforced:, a change in
vocation and residence. They
had drifted to Newton. The only
work he .could find' was as book
keeper -in the stuffy, insanitary'
old local dye wbrks. . His physi
cian had told him that he must ,
give it up or his days would 'be
shortened. Nothing better offer-,;
ed, however, and hekept on toil
ing for ,the support of his family.
, Miss Hyde received, her little,
visitor with a welcome smile.-iShe
at once noticed the serious face,
usually 'so sunny. She made room
for Elsie on the garden seat.
"Miss Hyde," spoke Elsie at
once,, "you are a great friend of
mine, -aren't you?"
"Indeed, I am," replied the lady ,
pleasantly. "Everybody is that,.;
Elsie."
"Yes, I know, but you are es
pecially. Now, I want to know
if I ask you to do something ion
me you will not tell mamma or
papa, or anybody else."
"Why, I must- know what it is,
dear, before I promise," replied
.Miss Hyde hesitatingly.
"Well," said Elsie, fingering -the
little boxT heard some peo.-
pie tslling: about, the parcels post;
y. .
