The daily gazette., 1876-11-11
times, when a note came inviting them
to spend day with Mr.. Childern's great

to spend day with Mr.. Childern's great
aunt.
"Oh, Berta," said Grace, intimately,
''there is treat in store for you. Fred's
aunt is the dearest old lady you ever saw.
She is ninety years old, and so sweet
and bright! and she tells such very
interesting stories about her young days.
Her home is in one Of those large, ram
bling old houses, in which one can al
most get lost. 1t is full of old relics, and
each one has a history. Will.you gop ?"
"Yes, indeed! Nothing could be more
delightful. love old ladies', better than
any one in the world p ..,........
"Always excepting one, Mark" said
Grace, mischievously.
"Not excepting any one! said Berta,
arching her neck proudly. .,.-.
"Then shall never hold you up to-
view as a model wife again."
"lf there is anything L detest it's o
model of any kind" said Bsrta, impul-
sively. Grace laughed, not knowing of
the bitter feeling which prompted the
speech.
The day appointed for her visit came.
A widowed niece lived with her and
assisted to the honors of the house, but
Aunt Patty,as she was called by the neigh
bOrs for miles around, was the real mis-
tress of the ceremonies, notwithstanding
her great age. She sat at the head of the
table and carved with as much ease and
grace as though twenty instead of four
score and ten.
She was tall and straight, with pleas
ant, dark eyes. Uer wrinkles, which
were many, gave the dignity of age to
her fine old face. Dressed in black silk,
with necklace of heavy gold beads,
partly hidden by the kerchef of spotless
muslin, which was folded in Quakerlike
neatness about her neck, her toilet had a
quaint, old-time charm. A widows cap,
tied closely over the brown hair, just
threaded with silver, and you have her
picture. doubt if another century sees
. its like.
Berta lowered around her through the
day, listening to every word that fell
from her lips as though they had been
tpearls.
The sun was low in the west, and the
ine-wreathed verandah looked very in
viting. Berta coaxed the old lady out
into its cool retreat and wheeled her easy
chair into place for her; then seated her.
self at her feet.
"At the table he would sit and watch
the family cat. All were hearty and
healthy, and it worried him SO, he
wouldn't eat mouthful. but l took care
to leave plenty of good, tempting food
where he could help himself to it, and he
made up for lost time between meals.
He was still kind and loving to me, and
; my heart ached at his alteration. But,
my dear, the dreadful end came
"One morning he came to. me as 1 was
busy at the churn, and kissed me saying
Good-by, Patty Bless your bright face,
it has been the life." .'
"He was not given to many words,
and thought may be he was goingto gel
: well, so blindly did L read the future. Sc
worked on with q lighter heart thar
usual, singing my husbands favoritt
} hymns. In about two hours % neighbor
| came to borrow wagon, and went to
the barn to get it. In few moments
, he came back with white, horror-strick-
en- face which struck pang to my
| heart.
"What is it ." | said, and started out
of the door.
"Go back, Mrs. Clay for Gods sake go
! back +" His agitation made me the more
determined to know the worst, if it killed
me. He made an outcry for Dolly and
Susie, who were busy up stairs, and all
) rushed after me to the barn. Child, my
husband, whom L had thought better,
i was ucuuy dud lao oNh Aldiu.
" With one wild cry, l fell insensible
: 1t was long before l was like myself
again, but after time grew better, and
began to take an interest in things for
. my boys sake, and also for the dea- girls,
who were more sisters than children to
me-"
1t was a contrite little woman who
, listened to Aunt Patty's story. What q
terrible life, and so uncomplainingly
l borne! She drew a mental pic.ure Of
, Marks manly face, quiet and pre-occu-
pic d, it is true, but animated by reasons
j precious light; and then for its reverse
of the gloomy eyes of the madman glow
: ering at his family.
She kissed the old lady softly and sol
emnly.
, "Thank you for your story. hope il
| | will not weary you too much"
. ono; my child, 1 live in the past, and
/ it is pleasant to have such an interested
listener. Some people tire of an old per
sons garrulity."
Bertha's heart turned towards Mark
} with a new feeling of tenderness. She
; would teach herself to like his favoritt
: pursuits-her noble, talented, darling hus
5 band.
VI But Mark also had learned lesson il
his solitude. When Bertha returned tt
> him again she did not find it hard tt
keep her good resolutions for she-not
e the model-received the "lion's share" o
i attention.