The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-04-14
AT AUNT'S.
BY j. r. W.

clOnded countenance, might have been
seen to knock, and with a sense of
having done so before.
A footman opened it.
"Oh, good morning, Henry. Is my
aunt in %
mo, sir; but we expect the carriage
every moment. will you wait?'
"Yes; for l want to see Miss Ford
very particularly"
After being shown into the drawing
room, certainly he did not take seat,
for the man in livery heard him tramp
ing up and down, backwards and for
wards, incessantly.
Three minutes after, on looking from
one of the windows, he saw a cab drive
up to the door, where a young person
descended, and performed very re-
markable fantasia on the door knocker.
AS the occupant of the drawing
room looked, he saw young lady bend
forward and smile as she addressed the
servant.
"What jolly pretty grill"
"This is Miss Ford's house, l Think"
"Yes, miss"
''Is she at home?"
"No, miss"
"Will she be at home before long?"
"We expect my mistress in every
moment, MISS
"Then if you please I think I will
wait for her. Will you kindly open the
door ?"
Well, it is impossible to say that
there was anything very attractive
about these words; nevertheless, Mr..
Tom Angel found them some of the
most pleasant he had ever heard, so un-
expected and incomprehensibl are our
likes and dislikes.
When the young lady entered the
drawing-room and saw it was occupied,
she drew back in some hesitation, evil
IDENTITY combating with herself whether
she should enter or not.
However, clearly her business was
of considerable urgency, for suddenly
her very pretty features became set,
and she stepped firmly into the room,
bowing, without any reserve, to the
gentleman she saw there.
He found her quite delightful.
"All the windows are open," he said,
when the servant had withdrawn. SIS
the wind to much for you? Shall 1 close
one or two?"
"Oh, dear me, no 7" she replied, with
out any of that reserve so common to
young ladies when they find themselves
in the presence of a stranger. 81 am
sure | want all the air possible"
"Ah! you suffer from the heat"
mot at all; but sometimes one re-
quires all the air and open space
possible"
81 am of your opinion" he said
earnestly. 81 quite comprehend that
feeling. l am myself an example in
point, for it was opened all the wins
dows; and when your-carriage arriv'
ed, l was tramping up and down the
room like an angry grenadier."
at is not a carriage" said the young
lady, with considerable, if amiable, as
perlty; sit is a common cab, and the
young person inside is Pawkins, who is
looking so surly because have made
dash from home, while l am supposed
to be walking in the enclosure in our
square, and have come to ask Miss Ford
to help me-"
"Ah, you know Miss Ford?"
81 have not seen much of her. We
have lived abroad a good deal, and Miss
Ford does not like the Continent. She
came to us last Autumn, however, and
she and l became great friends, and |
have come here for her services. Pray,
may l ask why you are waiting?"
81 was thinking how similar are our
errands here" he replied; ''for l have
come to seek Miss Ford's advice, or,
rather, to ask her to take up the cudg-
els in my favor, and insist with my
people upon having my own way"
"Just my case" said the young lady.
81 must insist upon Miss Ford insisting
upon my father and mamma listening
to my very reasonable objections
"IIa - said the young gentleman,
whose brow had clouded; "your people
at home are interfering with yoa?"
every much so, indeed" replied the
young lady. "l'm old enough to man
age my own afTairsl"
"Quite right" acquiesced the other,
enthusiastically. 81 know what | am
about to ask is very impertinent, but do
allow me to shake you by the hand"
Certainly" she cried, with great
alacnty; lit is quite delightful to meet
with some one who is sympathetic T! l
know it is most imprudent to be conf
dental with quite stranger, but the
fact that you know Miss Ford imbues
me with greater courage. We have
been living abroad, and my people posi-
lively insist upon my marrying a man
| have not seen since he was a mere
boy, and all because of some curious
family understanding that took place
before / was born, even %
Something my case" he said. "But
l will never submit, and ! sa.all prefer
the alternative-to be sent away as a
steerage passenger to Australia, with
one hundred dollars in my pocket"
"Ha I" cried the young lady, with
astounding keennessi "then, il you are
ready to go away, you do not refuse
the young lady your people wish you TO
marry becauseyOu like somebody else?"
Dear me, no: l am free AS the air. I"
$50 am I" she said, bursting into u
silvery laugh.
He came forward a step, and then
hesitated,