The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-07-03

the soft spring, and then she told me how
kind Mr.. Elphinstone was, and how he had
been gradually weaned from his solitary life
to take pleasure in the society Of his daugh-
tors. E4 5aE.ssa@5.s ss# = E97o1T -
And hope he is grateful to you, who
have made it all endurable p I said. ~ A.
Aunt Milly smiled. sYes, l believe he is,
butt have only done what ought; the girls
both love me dearly, and it 10 sufficient re-
ward to see them improved" eaEt9A ,asss7sh
did not see Mr.. Elphinstone, but earn
estly hoped that solemn, coldly polite, mid
die aged gentleman had shared in the gener.
al amelioration and reform effected By the
cheerful l-hearted Miss Millicent. 7'fle
Months had glided into years, ere I again
saw Aunt Milly. Everything had changed
with me-from boy l had grown man,
and from toying to struggling with the world.
| had followed Aunt M:lly's advice, and
had began to reap the fruit Of it in the good
opinion Of those whose opinion was worth
having. 4 had also proved the truth Of her
old saying: How sweet is the bread of
ones own earningv Another Of her proph-
ecies, alas! had come but too true. Laura
Ashton had married but was not her hus-
band-a richer man stole the jewel of my
bcyhood's fancy; but (and this was the sad
dsst to bear) not before Ihad found it to be
a false pearl, and unworthy Of my manhood's
wearing. But will not speak of this; in
spite of Aunt Milly's sage speeches, no one
can forget his first love. - .7'l 1"4
When next visited Elphinstone Hall, it
was in tho golden days Of midsummer. /
thought had never beheld more lovely
place. The old trees were 50 bowery and
full of leaves; the grass so very green; the
flower garden so bright with blossoms. Age
and youth were not more different than the
ancient, cheerless Hall, of former times, and
the beautiful spot now looked upon
Even Aunt Miliy seemed to share in the
general rejuvenescence. The two years that
had changed me so much, had not made her
look day older. She had the same clear,
fresh, cheerful face, and neat little figure;
both perhaps little rounder, the result Of
happy life and few cares. Her dress was
as tasteful as ever, but not quite SO precise,
and it was of richer materials. She wore,
too, various handsome articles of jewelry, q
remarkable circumstance for unpretending
Aunt Milly. l thought her pupils must be
very generous in their presents. *-
We had not sat talking long, when a very
graceful girl crossed the lawn to the French
window Of Aunt Milly's room. -.'
Il will come soon; 60 and take your walk,
Picnic, dear,' said Aunt Milly.
Wonder of wonders! Could that beautiful
fair face, and those golden ringlets, which
1 saw through the open window, belong to
the lackadaisical Miss Euphemia of old?
absolutely started from my chair. ~ y
'You don't mean to say, Aunt Milly, that
that lovely girl is Miss Elphinstone p -
Most certainly said Aunt Milly, laugh.
ing-her own musical laugh.
'Well, if ever saw such transformation
You are as much of fairy as Cipderella'a
god-mother. '~ rT
sNot at all; l only did as gardener does
with half cultivated ground; pulled up the
weeds and nurturcd the flowers. As TO,
Phemie's beauty, never thought her ugly,
though you were too much occupied with
your own disgust at the place to perceiss
that she really had fair skin and pretty
features. l have only made the best Of
| what found.' ~' ~se ~
'And how has Miss Louisa turned out in
your hands p asked, smiling. -
'Look at her; she is coming up the avenue
on horseback
And very graceful, fearless horsewoman
the quondam hoyden seemed; her wildnesI
was subdued into sprightly, but not unlady.
like manners; in short, Louisa had become
what many men would admire as 6ne.
lively girl.
'Why, Aunt Milly,'I said, syou must have
grown quite attached to these girlr; it will
really be painful for YOU to leave them.'
Il did not think Of leaving them very
soon,' said Aunt Milly, casting down he,
eyes, and playing with her gold watch chain,
while very faint rosyness deepening on hel
fair check, and " scarcely perceptible smile
hovering round her mouth, were distinctly
visible. -.--s ..-- 'r;.-.. - .
'Indeed!' said inquiringly. x
Eyes; Mr.. Elphinstone is very kind; he
does not wish me to 60: the girls love me
very much; and my cousin ,s.-
Follows his daughters good examplev
cried, at last arriving at the truth. tWell,
don't see how he could possibly help it;
and so, dear Aunt Milly, l wish you joy.'
Aunt Milly muttcred something in return,
blushed as prettily as a girl Of fifteen, and
at last fairly ran out of tho room. -.