Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-11-14
THE HERALD.
Aunt Polly.

brother-in-law to the front door steps,
and stood, with the wind blowing her
bright hair from her face, as pretty a
checked, matron as one would
wish to see.
No, I'll not forget but, Alice, how
am / to know the old lady! Does she
wear snuff.color or black p
ooh, neither, Harry; big purple
cape and bonnet to match, and she
always carries a sachel and walks
with gold headed cane. There, you
surely cannot miss her, and Alice
vane's eyes looked more roguish than
ever as she quickly ran into the house.
'Angels and ministers of grace de-
fend U.S. thought Harry Vane, as he
walked down the street. Whatever
possessed Alice to send me to meet
this old woman? Well, it can't be
helped l suppose, and / must make
the best of it, -
Soon, in spite of the hustle of the
city abopt him, his thoughts wandered
to Marian Lee, the pretty, dimpled-
checked country girl whom he had
been calling upon for year, and
who vet had not said the magic word
eyes" to his proposal. Why she hes
itated, Harry did not know yet he
resolved TO get an answer on his next
visit, or never.
When he reached the depot the
train had just glded in like long
fire throated serpent. Harry has.
tened on to the platform, and looked
around for Aunt Polly. There she
was, her bent figure enveloped in a
long purple cape, and huge bonnet
TO match, in which her face was COM
pletely hidden her hands were COW
cred with gray cotton gloves,a brown
veil covered her face, while large
umbrella, carried under the arm,
threatened the eyes of whomsoever
was rash enough to crowd her move
ments in the rear. Harry Vane then
stepped forward chivalrously.
Mrs. Vane sent me to meet you,'
he said. ALLOW me to assist you.
And he attempted to take her band
box and sachel.
mo you don't neither was the
shrill reply. Il don't trust strangers,
and can carry my own luggage; how
do | know but you're pickpocket p
But assure you, madam, that
am not said Vane, trying his best
not 10 laugh. Il am the brother in.
law of your niece, Alice, and
oh, you be, eh p interrupted Aunt
Polly. You're Harry, l suppose. I've
often heard niece Ally speak of Harry;
you can carry this box, if you like.
Be keerful of it, for It's got my best
bonnet in it; and here's a paper oil
YARDS I've brought along, if Ally's
children should be ailin'-and l can
carry the rest
'Halloo, Vsne = shouted a New
York exquisite, as he caught sight Of
Harry. 'Gallanting Mrs. Noah, !
verify believe. Can't you find better
business than that P
what be that Teller laughing at p
demanded Aunt Polly. / guess Pm
as good as he is, and maybe a little
better, if l amt dressed in the height
OF fashion,
Never mind, he is not worth not.
icing said VaDe, pleasantly. Here
is the carriage. Be careful about the
steps
They were at last seated. The car.
rage contained other occupants, and
Harry endured, without fiinchipg, the
scornfu! giances cast at his compan.
ion. Aunt Polly proved very socia.
bic, and entertained him with a full
account of her affairs, the trouble she
had to get on the right train, and an
impudent fellow in the cars who
wanted her ticket ; the loss of pa.
per of ginger.cake she had broueh,
for lunch, and various troubles
which attracted the attention of thei,
fellow passengers.
At last Harry deposited Aunt Polly
at Alice Vane's door with feeling
of satisfaction. The numerous pack.
ages and bundles being counted over
twice, and none missing, Aunt Polly
thanked Vane heartily for his kind.
ness, and said she would make some
herb tea when he needed it.
AT that moment Alice came TO the
door, and clasping her ancient rela
tive in her arms, she walked with hel
into the house with such a comica
look that Harry was at loss what te
think OF it, and finally came to the
conclusion that Aunt Polly was some
thing valuable.
Harry called out Mrs. Vane, the
next day, as he passed the house
please step in a minute. Aunt Polly
wishes to see you
Bother Aunt Polly! thought Harry
as no obeyed the summons. 'Whar
can she want to see me about,
wonder p
He entered the parlor and con
fronted pretty, dimpled checked cir
of eighteen, with blue eyes and long
brown curls. Aunt Polly was forgot
ten as he clasped her in his arms. ex
claiming:
marian Leep
Alice stood by enjoying the scene
when Harry, turning to her, said
ALLY, why didn't you tell me Ma
rian was here p
Tell you! Why, didn't you bring
her yesterday? Have you so soor
forgotten Aunt Polly?'
Harry stood for a moment. look,pe
from one to the other of the fair con
spirators in perplexity, then, as The
truth dawned upon him, he exclaimed
well, If this isn't good joke Bu'
doesn't your conscience reproach yo,
Ally, tor the fib you told me p
'But | told you no fib, Harry. Ma
rian, explain it to him.
Don't look so astounded, Harry
said Marian, demurely. Alice reall,
is my niece ; only as her mother, my
halt-sister, was married before I wa.
born, she is just six years older thar
am. And l assumed that DISCUS,
as test of your character, and be
cause l wished to know how yo,
would act in such an embarrassin.
situation. am perfectly satisfied,
she said with q merry laugh.
GO Won ora xo.no~