The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-07-06


very well for her, to be sure, but unfortu
nate for me, because l kept continual,
meeting her on Broadway and couldn't fine
it in my heart to resist frequent invitations
to walk with her And while thus engag
ed met P.ulinU 1phigenic three times il
one week, in consequence of which | re
ceived package from her one morning
containing my photograph, a bracelet | hat
given her, and two or three letters l wrote
her while she was in the country. Accom-
panying this was a note requesting me tc
return her letters and photograph, and an
nouncing the unpleasant fact that she had
cast my image out Of her heart, forever"
After this, of course, began paying at.
| tention to Constance Farley in good ear.
| nest.
| found that she was the youngest of a
large family of sisters, all married, except
herself. She had been splendidly educated
| and was endowed with fine mind by ma
ture, so that she made II most charming
companion.
For two months continued my address
es, until favorable moment arrived, when
| popped the question. recollect it as
well rs if it were only yesterday.
1t was one cold winter evening, and
Constance's friends, with whom she was
staying, had all gone to the opera. Invent
to the house expecting to take her, but
found her suffering from II cold, which
prevented her from going out in such a
penetrating atmosphere, so we stayed at
home and had cozy time.
didn't do the melo-dramatic style of
thing, as had with Pauline Iphigenic-
I
place, and didn't even go down on my
knees.
We were talking about boarding, and /
expressed myself as being very tired of
that style of living.
"Why don't you keep house, then 2" said
she.
1t would be too lonesome for bache-
lor."
care you always going to be a bache-
lor ?"
constance" said l, shat depends en-
tirely upon you. If you will consent to
make my house home instead of habi-
tation, ] will cease boarding as soon as pos
siblem
And she said she would.
Up to this time | had known nothing of
my intended's pecuniary position, nor, in
truth, had I cared to, especially. l was
doing a very good business, and, as with
those extraordinarily distinguished gentle
men who advertise for wives, "money was
no object"
learned, however, shortly, that my fu-
ture wife was put down as IL large heiress
in the will of a very benevolent old gentle
man, whose kindly feeling for her welfare
dated back to the time when she lay in her
cradle. l was very much obliged to the
old gentleman.
One day when l called upon Constance,
I found her pretty face radiant with
smiles.
"Im so glad !" she cried as soon as she
saw me.
"My good, dear old mother is coming to
the city, and you shall see her."
81 shall be most happy"
"You will be more than that-you will
like her immensely. She is such dear,
good, old fashioned LADY, shouldn't Won
der if you would fall in love with her, and
neglect me. Never mind, shan't be ieal-
Gus of her. You would make pretty nice
father in-law, guess"
Business kept me pretty closely engaged
u
nouncement, and l was unable to see Con-
stance again until one evening, when l re-
ceived note saying "mamma" had come,
and must present myself forthwith.
went to the house, and was welcomed
by Constance, who was quite beside her.
self with JOY.
mamma will be down in moment; in
the meantime, there is somebody else you
must see."
She went to the glass door of the con-
servatory and called:
"Uncle Jack come hcre-throw away
your cigar-do now-you shall have anoth-
err directly"
A portly, goodlooling old gentleman,
with white hair and heavy watch chain,
presented himself, and Constance intro
duced him as Mr.. Farley, her adopted un-
clc."
"She calls me uncle" said Mr.. Farley
"although we arc not related"
Constance begged me to excuse her for
q moment, and ran up stairs to call man.
ma"
"Indeed,"I said to Mr.. Farley, II thought
from the name that you were a relative
1t is an odd coincidence"
"No," said the old gentleman, mot at
all-did she never tell you? You see, l
am an old friend of the family. Constance,
bless her heart, has been pet of mine
from her birth, and have made her heir
ess to my property, on condition that she
takes my name"
"Oh! | have often heard of you then,
sir Constance told me that Farley was
not her real name"
"She has borne it ever since she was
three years old, and has lived at home but
very little, so that she rarely Thinks l sup
pose, of ever having had any other name"
| was about to ask what her family
name was, when heard voice ON the
stairs, and in a moment she appeared, fol-
lowed by an old lady.
''This is my MOTHER" she said, leading
her forward. Mamma, this is"
Now, reader, who do you suppose the
old lady was9 My grandmother. Yes,
Constance was the youngest of thirteen
daughters the oldest was-my mother
Therefore, Constance was my aunt.
ga man may not marry his mothers sis
ter" And did not marry mine.
Now, my dear reader, if you know what
is good for you, you will learn as much as
possible about your relations, especially il
you have an aunt younger than yourself,
because, you know, she may have changed
her name, and you might fall in love with
her. Isn't this very queer story But,
nevertheless, it is true.
FILE Your LOCAL PAPER.-The follow
ing clipped from an exchange expresses an
| idea well worthy of attention 1t is well