The Van Buren press., 1876-11-07


torted aunt Prissie, thought by no means
angrily. "Oh, dear mel" she added.
sighing, "if it wasn't for me this would
be dreadfully dsorderly house and l
hope, Mary, you may never take to ro,
mancing, and such nonsense. 1t gener
ally ends in husband, and then ones
peace is sacrificed forever
"Do you really think so p asked Ma
ry-for she had written to her friend
Jennie Price, that very day. the exact To-
cation of grandfather's place, begging
her to write very soon, and inwardly
trusting that her friend would let Albert
Linton know her loca ity, SO that the Sc
cretly longed for letter might come soon.
f" Think 80 ?" exclaimed aunt Prrssie.
+" Why, l am sure of it 1t stands to rea.
son that il you give up your duty and ra
tional business, and go to dreaming and
moping, you'll soon turn luny and use
less. never had an attack Of it my.
self, thank goodness. and wouldn't for
a fortune! I've too much gumption but
I've seen many fine girl spoiled by 1t,
and don't fancy it Bit
This aunt Prisse said with unusual as
perity, for she had been teased in her
time, about sour grapes, and it was the
one subject over which, in her own words,
" she could get riled."
After this exhortation to her pretty
niece against loves subtle spell, she DO.
gan to make much Of her, according to
her habit, and brought forth her best pre-,
~ ttnk H..
her palate and rejoice her heart.
1t was dear, delightful old place
Meadow Farm, with plenty of shady
nooks and clear, bright strea m, shaded
by elders and willows. Its orchards, too
were full of promise, and the blue hills
that rose beyond its dark green woods
made grandly beautiful picture, when
the reflected sunset decked them with its
gorgeous hues.
But somehow, the time was dull and
heavy to Mary, and the days dragged
wearily along. 1t was not that she mind
ed aunt Prissies seedlings about her hat
or veil being dropped in the hall, or her
needlework being mislaid on the flower
stand. She only laughed, and promised
to do better; for she knew how well the
old lady loved her 1t was something
else-it was the heart sickness of hope
deferred
She had looked down the gravel walk
that led to the lane along which the post
boy came, ever since the week of her ar
rival, and ran with breatbless haste to
meet him, but all in vain. There were
letters-some from home, some from
friends-but none from him
And so her hope withered, and her
heart grew sick, until her pale face and
llstless dyes began to betray her secret
JENNIE wruto nequrnv,y. uu. sc'uo'u
alluded to Alfred Linton. Once she men
toned him as being very much changed,
and apparently ahjuring society altogeth'
er. Another time she regretted the fact
of his giving himself up to study com.
pIetely (he was lawyer), depriving them
of his society in their summer tour.
Mary was to be her friend brides
maid, and the wedding was set for Octo.
ber Mr. Albert Linton was to be the
bridegroom's man and now Jennie wrote
that provoking as it was. the programme
must be chan. ed, since " Albert who had
grown too queer for anything, talked OF
going abroad q month earlier, just to
spoil everything.
g. He fancied me a little---1 know he
did I" moaned poor disconsolate Mary
to herself, as she read these fatal words
81 feel sure could never have been sc
bold or presuming as to mistake hi.
words or the tone Of his voice Some
thing has caused him to forget me-pool
me, who must ever think Of him y
Miss Prissie saw, with dismay, thai
her favorite niece WAS not taking advan
tage of the lovely air AMI strengthening
diet Of Meadow Farm. Little Dick had
grown fat and lazy on it, and lay in the
shade, by the brook, fishing all day long
aud whistling gaily to himself But by
and by poor Mary ceased to walk ever
in the rose garden, and lay on the lounge
in the shady 81 ting.room, with her face
shaded, pleading headache as her ex
cusc for everything.
This was state of affairs to be anx
ious about, and kind aunt Prissie gave
her wine and chamomile tea to proper
adjustment
Mary swallowed the chomomile meek
ly, bitter though it was. but there follow
ed no good results.
IL am afraid to write home aud alarm
'em all" said Prissie to her sister; but
really, if the child keeps refusing her vic
tuals and looking like ghost | will be
obliged to do it,
Prissie," said Miranda, with grave
ly sentimental air, there are other ills
besides those OF flesh and blood. Their,
are such things as heartaches."
"No there amt" persisted Prissie
" at least, unless you lose some of you
folks, and Mary hasn't I'm going to try
quashi-I never thought of that, and III
about the best thing in my stock OF med
icines Let me see, had some left owe
from last year and put it away. Pshaw
uhere did put it? ?"
"You ought to know aunt Prissie
you never mslay anything" said Dick,
saucily.
IL have SO much to do taking care o
other folks things that it would be NJ
great wonder il did get things mixed
now and then, though it isn't my genera
way. nohowr' retorted aunt Prissie.
Dick started off on his interminablt
fishing: Miranda took Mrs. Hemans ou'
on the porch, and poor, pale Mary came
istlessly down stairs, SO weak and faded
looking, that kind aunt Prissie's hear
ached