Daily Kennebec journal., 1874-09-05

AUNT MAGRUDERs MANAGEMENT.
BY HARRIET PRESCOTT sPoFrORp.

lCoNTINUED FROM YESTERDAY.
But Miss Ponsonby was not SO brave,
Tor when, at the breakfast table, she had
announced her intention of going to the
christening party that day, and, in reply
| to James querulous query as to what in
the world she would wear, had said she
had contrived a very pretty dress, and
wodld exhibit it before she went, Jane had
cut her to the quick with look like pair
OF daggers, and had declared that she was
forward piece TO be dressing herself out
to attract admiration, and that she was
taking the bread out of her children's
mouths to accomplish her selfish wishes.
SO, their hearts sinkinga a little in spite of
themselves, they went down, only to find
that Mrs. Jane had, in dudgeon, taken
herself and her husband and the elder
children away to the christening party be-
fore them; whereon they hurried of by
themselves as gayly as two girls on for
bidden lark.
Certainly if old Aunt Magruder had
been duchess she could not have entered
the room, having disposed of her wraps,
with prouder air than she did with
niece by her side that day; but then she
was Ponsonby, and there is no doubt
that Aunt Magruder thought that quite as
good thing to be as duchess. Aunt
Magruder was conducted by the cordial
host to seat of honor but as the compa-
ny who were all old friends, were just as
sembling, Miss. Ponsonby, by virtue of her
god .nothership, and before the great guest
OF the day-that is, the baby-was brought
in, and before she had time to see who
was there aud who wasn't. was beckoned
to Mrs. Breuner's side to assist in re-
ceiving; and the half hour was a busy one
one. She was splendid accession to the
group as she stood there, tall and stately
with the color on her cheek like that rich
sunset tint that you see on the side of
sun-burnished pear, with the smile, the
naughty features, and the queen-like poise
OF the perfect head, crowned by braids of
massive ca we'd ebony.
"And her dress sweeps away from her
right royalty" said Aunt Magruder, sur
veying the sceQe. and totally unconscious
that she was talking aloud.
"Ah y said Aunt Magruder, turning to
look at him through her gold glasses,
which she always wore at ceremonies,
''Mr. Sternberg, l believe? Oh. you
your picture less than an hour ago, and
that royal-looking woman was crying over
it ~
"Oh, you silly little Aunt Magruder
Was this your boas:ed management? What
if his mind had changedp What if he had
another sweetheart? What-Dont NUT
ter any of your whats to me-" said Aunt
Magruder to her conscience. "Im going
to run the risk. The mans as pale as a
sheet now. and Sarah Ponsonby don't
know he's in the room. l can see-he's
in the room. l can see-he's quivering
with wrath at my daring to touch his
wound. I'll quiet him-that is, if Jane
doesn't come across the room. Look at
her there, the color of curd casting q
gloom on the occasion.n
Il beg your pardon, madam" Mr..
Sternberg was saying in a suppressed
voice. and with white lips: ''but do you
know of whom you are speakingp"
II should imagine so. am talking of
my dear niece Sarah Ponsonby-a true
Ponsonby, too, which could never saw of
her sister Jane" said Aunt Magruder.
running all her words together; in panic
lest she should be interrupted: s.for their
never was a Ponsonby before Jane who
would condescend to tell such falsehood
as Jane told you when she gave your
congo in the hall, while upstairs her Door
sisters heart was beating a glad reveille
at the sound of your foot
Madam ~
"Yes, sir! And after all I've heard Of
you, and now that I've seen YOU must
say that l am astonished you shouldn't
have seen through Jane at a glance. Oh.
know what you're thinking, sir. inst as
we'll as if you told mel" Aunt Magruder
went on breathlessly, as her eyeglasses
tumbled off, and the freer to relieve her
mind that on the entrance of the baby and
her suite, II few minutes before, everybody
had crowded away from them toward that
resplendent center of attraction. You're
thinking I'm presumptuous old busy
body and garrulous old woman, but the
truth is. it's been my intention ever since
knew them"-that's where Tn diplomat.
ic, thought this absurd little Aunt Magru.
der to herself, not to tell him il isn't a
week since l knew them it's been INV
intention ever since knew to tell you the
facts il | ever come across you. For
love my niece, and know that she loves
-
Madam"
Mrs. Magruder, if you please.''
Mrs. Magruder, may ask if Miss Pom.
sonby was aware of your intention TO
speak in this manner to me an asked Mr..
Sternberg. with his eyes flashing blue iire.
aware Of my intention! What do You