Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-06-18
AUNT sARAH's STORY.

buCH SpiCuuiu clCASHAnS vi " ONAS0
day night"
aAnd why should you wish it to
be sleighing any more on that night
than any other, my dear?"
"What a provoking little stupid it
is, to be sure," exclaimed Kate, fond
ly smoothing her aunt's glossy braids,
"you surely haven't forgotten the
wondrous event which is destined to
take place on that night! Mamma
has issued hundred invitations, and
more than seventy have already been
accepted. 1t is to be the party of the
season. Annie is to furnish the mu-
sic. Riseau the flowers and decora-
tions, and Lamoir the refreshments.
Papa is going down town tomorrow
to give some further orders about the
wines and ices. And, oh! auntie,
such a love of a dress as Madame
Mode is making me to wear on that
occasion. Imagine bewildered COM
bination of white silk, tule and pink
moss rose-buds, and you will have
but faint idea of its beauties.
couldn't begin to describe halt its
loveliness; it must be seen to be ap-
preciated."
Kate paused, completely exhausted
by the flow of words which had issu-
ed from her rosy little mouth. How
charming she was, standing there in
the bright sunlight; her fair round
cheek flushed with health and excite
ment, her dark eyes sparkling with
pleasure, and her brown curls blown
hither and thither by the chill wind
in which she had taken her brisk
morning walk. A piquante, saucy
little brunette was Kate Rogers,
whose bright eyes and rosy cheeks
had made many manly heart flutter
and pulse quicken when she passed
by. A petted, spoiled child of for
tune, she yet possessed noble qualities
of heart and mind, which endeared
her to all; and there was warm, ten.
der place in that impulsive heart for
this kind aunt, whose home she had
just entered. In fact, every one loves
this kind aunt of Kate's, with her
calm, quiet face, and gentle ways, her
purse ever open to the poor.
She is very fond Of this pretty little
niece of hers, the only child of her
Youngest brother.
"Pardon me, Katie DEAR" she says
"for being so forgetful of your ap.
preaching festival, but at the moment
you came in my thoughts were far
away from here"
"Another streak Of the blues, eh,
auntie? What can you ever find to
think about that makes you look so
terribly so,emn?"
"Never mind what my thoughts
were Katie; did I understand you to
ssy you were to have wine at your
party?"
Swine? why Of course. lam sure
such an affair would be very stupid
without something of the sort"
Mrs. Strong bent her head mo.
ment in deep thought; when she
raised it again there was new light in
her eyes, a firm de: ermination ex.
pressed in the quiet mouth.
"Doyou love me, Katie?" at length
she said.
"Auntie," the sensitive lips quiv.
cred, the dark eyes filled with tears.
show can you ask me such a ques.
tion?"
81 am sorry to pain you, dear, but
I must test your affection. What
would you do to prove your love for
me?"
"Do, my darling auntic," cried
Kate, "what would not do to please
You? But what is it that you require
of me?"
81 will tell you, but do not be
angry with me, my child, because it
is for your own happiness that | ask
it OF you. Do, my own dear Kate.
give up this foolish notion of having
wine at your party
"Notion! Why, auntie, it is long
established custom, and would require
a great amount of courage to neglect
it, l assure you. But why have you
such prejudice against it? cannot
see bit of harm in drinking wine,
provided, of course, that one does not
indulge too freely, which l trust
would never be the case at any OF my
parties," and Miss Rogers drew her.
self up proudly.
"Ah! my dear, there is the trouble,
and so it is better not to put tempta.
ton in any ones path.
81 would not think very highly OF
the strength of chara cter of one who
could not resist it," Kate replied.
"But there are circumstances which
would render the temptation almost
too great to be resisted"
Kate shook her head doubtfully.
II see you do not believe me, my
dear, but | can prove it to you. II
you have few moments to spare, l
will relate something which occurred
in my carly life, that l am certain will
alter your views on the subject"
"Oh! yes, Aunt Sarah, I have plen-
ty of time, and shall be very glad to
hear your story"
"Well, Kate, when l was about
your age, had very dear friend
whom we will call Rose. She was,
like you, the only daughter of wealthy
parents, very much petted, and a
favorite in society. Many were the
admirers who focked around her,
and not few were the proposals
which she received; but she turned a
deaf ear to all but one, and he
Charley Gray-was a man whose at.
tention any woman might feel proud
to accept. He could not be called
in person, yet there was
that in his broad open brow, clear
brown eyes, and frank, genial smile,
which never failed to please; and he
was endowed with a rare intellect,
and great fascination of manner.
.He came into our city Is strang.
er, having lived all his life in 2 coun-
try town, pursuing his studies under
the guidance Of his father IAN aged
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