It's only rather a
surprise. But it's a nice surprise,--at least, I hope you'll think that it
is."
"Well, hurry and tell me then," said the old lady. "I'm a great believer
in bein' told good news as soon as possible. What is it?"
"It's that I'm not a maid," said the pretty widow.
"Not--a--" cried Aunt Mary blankly.
"I'm a widow!" said Janice. "I'm Burnett's sister."
"Wh--a--at!" cried Aunt Mary. "I didn't jus' catch that."
"You see," screamed Jack, "she was afraid to have me entertain you in New
York,--afraid you wouldn't be properly looked after, Aunt Mary, so she
dressed up for your maid and looked after you herself."
"My heavens alive!"
"Wasn't she an angel?" he asked.
"But whatever made you take such an interest?" Aunt Mary demanded of
Janice.
Janice rose from her knees and, leaning over the bed, drew the old lady
close in her arms.
"I'll tell you," she screamed gently. "I loved Jack, and so I loved his
aunt even before I had ever seen her."
Aunt Mary's joy fairly overflowed at that view of things, and, putting her
hands to either side of the lovely face so close to her own, she kissed it
warmly again and again.
"I always knew you were suthin' out of the ordinary," she declared
vigorously. "You know I wouldn't have let him marry you if I hadn't been
pretty sure as you were different from Lucinda an' the common run."
And then she beamed on them both and Jack beamed on them both and Mrs.
Rosscott kissed each of them and dried her own happy eyes.
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