Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-19
Aunt Barbara's Present.
CHAPTER I.

Aunt Barbara's Present. i CHAPTER l. #s
 Toward the end of June, 18-,-.Mr. For | rester's house in GrOsvener- place was the scene of much excitement with preparations for the approaching marriage of his oldest daughter. This event was regarded by the family as one of more than usual importance, as Margaret or Meta, the pet name of the pretty little bride- elect, now in her twentieth year, was the first daughter of the house who had lived to be married. for more than a gen. eration; indeed. the first who had survived her childhood, with the exception of MT. For rester's only sister, who was a confirmed old maid. This lady, who was known to nu- merous circle as Aunt Barbara" had many peculiarities but she had never made a pre- tense of being day younger than she was, and now honestly confessed to her sixty years wore her own white hair, and candidly owned that she had never received an offer of mar riagc in her life-always adding that she should not have accepted it if she had. 1 It was the custom of Miss Forester, senior, | to spend two months of the ''season" at her l brothers house and she was now, somewhat against her inclination, extending her visit to be present at the approaching wedding. Now, as she was wealthy and tolerablys liberal in l the youthful bride and her only sister-a bright lively girl three years younger than herself | should speculate upon the nature of the pres ent which they felt sure must he forthcoming, l to add to those already received from every re- lative and friend of the family. Dora, the younger sister, was the more interested of the two, and expressed her opinion that either some gift more costly than any yet received | was being prepared, or that Aunt Barbara would present handsome sum of money on l the occasion.
 One morning when the sisters were sitting together in the pretty morning room which was appropriated to their special use, knock at the door was followed by the entrance of Miss Forrester's prim maid, who said: My mistress wishes to see Miss Meta in her dress ing room" Then, making demure courtesy, withdrew.
 ''Now for it at last !" exclaimed Dora ''Do you think Meta, may go, too?"
 ''1 think not" was the reply. "You know how particular Aunt Barbara is. and she olo not mention you, dear"
 On obeying that ladys sumpons, her niece found her sitting bolt upright in Il high-oacke | chair, instead of the luxHfious one which had | heen nrovided for her She rose as Meta en- tered, and, giving her hard kiss, presented 1 her with purse-not an ugly brown leather one, as Dora had laughingly predicted, but very elegant affair of her own knitting. 'sThere, child v she said, .'you will find fifty pounds in it to buy dresslng-case. l have ascertained that no one else has given you one; I and as wish my gift to be really useful, l l wish you to choose one which will contain all your trinkets
 | IA thousand thanks, dear aunt But will not fifty pounds be too much to spend upon a | dressing case Y'
 Mot at all, child AS Lady Davenant, | you will require handsome one and as you have SO many ornaments, strong jewel-case is perhaps just the sort of thing you ought to | have"
 l Meta promised very readily to attend to her wishes and retiring with her new acquisition, hastened to tell her expectant sister the result of her interview with Aunt Barbara. Dora was delighted, and for singular req son. 'I ana so glad" she exclaimed, ''that she has only given you fifty pounds, instead of the five hundred which entre nous it ought 10 have been, as now we can have the pleasure l better; so pray let us go this afternoon" ''But we may not go alone," urged Meta land mamma has the carriage, too." 'Oh will find an escort replied Dora. ''l have been longing to go out all the morn ing"
 It was accordingly arranged that their own maid should accompany them; and without ] informing any one else of their intentions, they desired her, as soon as they were we'll out of sight of the house, to call cab; and then, probably for the first time in their lives, were thus taken to Regent-street. They alighted at the circus, and greatly enjoyed their walk gazing at every gay window till they arrived at the splendid emporium which was to be honored with their patronage. Here the sisters were conducted into a spacious room, where such articles as they required were displayed in apparently endless profusion. The obsequi- ous shopman' brought forward specimens of ten to twenty pounds value, which no doubt he thought good enough for pedestrians unat- tended even by footman; but he was told that something more costly was required; and at last, having with hnwearied patience shown many more, Meta suddenly caught sight of large and elegant casket standing quite apart from all the others ''That with the painting on the lid, exclaimed the young lady, lis the most likely to suit me, if not too expensive. 1 cannot go beyond fifty pounds" Il do think it is, Madame" was the an- swer 'We can take rather less than the sum you name, for that The price is only forty five pounds''
 "How is that ?" said Dora s1t appears to me to be the handsomest jewel-ease in the room."
 Well, ladies'" explained the shopman, that casket was intrusted to us by lady who wishes to pispose of It, and was never made for less than hundred guineas; but as have said, she will be satisfied with less than half, as for an article not entirely new, includ- ing our commission"
 ''Oh pray let her have the sum intact" ex- claimed impetuous Dora. 'I am sure my sis- ter will willingly give fifty pounds for such beauty"
 ''Yes; certainly, if on examination I find it perfect in every part; as you know Dora, Aunt Barbara would be greatly annoyed if she should discover in it any trace of former use.'
 So the sisters sat down to examine the cas- ket. No flaw was to be seen. The jewel. drawers were lined with spotless white satin the siiver-gilt fittings perfect; the richly-cut licious perfume; but no other part of the beautiful box appeared to have been used.
 ''To what address shall have the pleasure of sending it p asked the shopman, after due examination of Aunt Barbaras notes
 "Dont have it sent" whispered Dora. 'Lucy can manage to find cab, I dare say;'' for which the maid was accordingly dispatch ed. The casket was at once packed, and the shopman placed it opposite to the young ladies. dress he should give the driver. Hyde Park Corner" said Dora quickly. ''We will give him further orders"
 AS they drove off, Meta asked her sister why she had not given the address in full
 Because he looked so curious about us," was her reply. 'I enjoy disappointing the man though am dying of curiosity myself to know the history of Aunt Barbara's pres ent"
 This little freak of Dora was the cause of much perplexity afterward
 When the girls reached home, they deter mined to dress for dinner at once, and then wait for Aunt Barbara in the drawing-room, where she invariably made her appearance just before the dinner-bell rang. They then placed their elegant purchase on table ready for her inspection. Presently the rustic of her stiff silk dress was heard in the corridor, and she swept into the room followed by her maid, whose daily duty it was to place her mistress's chair and footsteol In readiness for her.
 Aunt Barbara, exclaimed Meta, 'sdo not