Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-06-11
AUNT MARY,s STORY
BY BELLE BEAcHY.

had often wondered why Aunt Mary was
so sad--why she never joined our social gath
erings, and why her eyes were so often red
with weeping; and long, deep sigh-echoes of a
deserted heart were heard when sitting near
her, She was not so old, that she would be
secluded-far from that for she was little past
thirty, and, l thought, decidedly pretty, not
withstanding the gloom that seemed TO shroud
her features. OF medium height, Medician
form, features regular, large brown eyes, sha-
ded by long dark lashes, proportion of dark
brown hair, which she combed so carefully,
and laid 50 beautifully from off her forehead
of white, and which had an intellectual cast,
] had often gazed upon her, and longed to
know if she had slowed and lost ="
"She must have loved" thought !, "for if
heart was cold and impenetrable, she would
not be so kind and attentive to the wants of
those around her" Had l any grief, who
was so ready to give soothing word and,
cast aside the seeming sorrow None but
poor, sad Aunt Mary.
One night, when she thought was sleeping,
/ saw her advance to small rosewood box,
and unlock it, taking from it miniature and
curl of hair. She pressed them to her lips,
while tears fell thick and fast and hear her
murmur: my husband-my childW And
bowling her head upon the table, she sobbed
violently | hardly knew whether TO let her
remain unconscious of my sleepiness, OF
whether should follow the dictates of my
heart, clasp my arms about her neck, and tell
her there was one who cared for her--who
loved her. | crept cautiously, and unper-
ceived from my bed and, as l gained her side
she raised her head and hastily brushed aside
her tears, said, in a surprised tone.
"What, Media you awaken
eyes, Aunty could not sleep when knew
that tears were falling thick and fast from your
eyes Tell me, Aunty why do you weep2
"Tell you, the child, of crushed hopes-of
wrongs you know not OFF Speak of scenes,
and utter names that for years have been
locked within the silent chamber of my soul
Speak of him you never knew; but who was
all in all to me All, Media, darling child it
is too much for have suffered"
And she buried her face in her hands !
took the miniature, that lay open on the table
! was startled by the noble face beheld. And
yet upon a closer examination, the eyes were
too piercing, and the lips seemed thin and
compressed The curl of hair was of deli
cate brown, and Enthusiastically that of child
"Aunt," asked, "why are these so careful
ly treasured up by you2 And why do you
come away from the world and, in the quiet
watches of the night, look upon them and
weep2'
"fhe miniature, fond one is--so pas.. once
my husband, Media; but our path, which once
together merged now widely lies apart for
am diporced wife,
"Dvorcedr ! exclaimed in astonishment;
for ! had never known before of her marriage
il having been kept a secret from me. Tel
me all Aunt Mary, for ] know you must nave
suffered.
AT the age ofsixteen was married to one
who hoped would protect me through life;
for loved him-l worshipped him. had no
parents, but had brother somewhere in the
wide world, whom had not seen for sever
years, and that Media, was your father
Lewis Morton, for that was my husband
name, had previous to our union paid somC
little attention to a young lady near us, wht
was quite bitter in regard TO our marriage
and after which, was told she remarked sh,
would soon separate us, | scolfed at the idea
for Lewis was a kind husband, and, TO all ap
pearanees, seemed to return the warm, arden
love Of my fond young heart OH those hal
cyon DAYS Of bliss--too pure, too full of Joy t
always be, for they have gone into eternity
and live but in the past---the bitter, dreadful
Past
"We had been married three years, and on
evening while Lewis was from home strau
ger came, hs l supposed; but who was in reali
| ty my long-absent brother whom had not seel
for years and in my wild joy, | clung abou
his neck, and kissed him overaId over again
little thought that the Young lady who haC
sworn 10 separate u.s. was at that moment peer
ing, with malicious eyes, through the window
for the curtains were not down, although tn
lamps were lighted, and evening far advanced
afterwards learned that my brother (your fl
ther) inquired at her fathers of my where's
bouts failing 10 add that | was his sister
| Therefore she followed him and waited nea
the window until Lewis should return from hi
office which she well knew wonld be ere long
and telling him what had passed, with the kin
advice for him 20 ,odfch, departed for her hom'
while Lewis (my husband) never entered tn
house that night Long, aud anxiously,
watched for his return, thinking each momer
would restore him again to me, and he coul
rejoice with me, that the long-absent and o
ten-thought-of brother was alive, and had n
turned 10 receive our welcomes and heart