The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-08
The Aunt'S Will.

An old woman, long a sufferer, lay back
on the cushions Of an invalld's chair while
before her stood young girl, whose face
showed signs of sympathy with her suffer-
ing;
'Aunt Jane, you're not comfortable"
"Who told you wasn't3' said the little
shrivelled old lady, as she fairly glared at
her niece.
81 know you're not" said Edith, pa
tiently. "Your chair wants to be raised
little more. Shal Il"
''No, you shantl Go and tell Ann to
come here; she shall fix me comfortable"
Edith rose to obey, walking out of the
room with perfectly calm face, and her
head was as erect as ever.
"Umph," said Jane, looking after her,
she's smart one-sho knows just what I
want. Sometimes think she means what
she says-that she really loves mo and
wants to show it; but ball. what an old fool
am ! she has the same smooth, slippery
= ways of her father. He could work his
way into anyhody's heart; he did into. my
poor sisters and afterwards broke 1t. Edith
can do the same-work her way into any
body's heart; but she won't into mne-she
won't into mine ! A penny of my money,
any more than will keep her from utter
starvation, she'll never handle Ann shall
he the fine lady, aud Edith will have to
Woodwork Is good enough for her fathers
daughter" said the old lady, shaking with
ire.
Ann and Edith were orphan nicccs of
Jane, left to her care by two sisters.
Edth's mother, before her marriage was
James favorite sister; but she didn't marry
to suit Jane, and to the latter lady's entire
satisfaction, the favorite, but never-to-be-
forgiven husband, turned out to be a very
bad man.
He came to sudden end himself, after
sending his wife to an early grave, and
Aunt Jane took little Edith, to educate and
make lady Of her, as her mother was be-
fore her, and then to leave her almost penny
less, and send her adrift on the world TO do
for herself because she was her fathers
daughter
"What can do for you, aunty dear p
Don't you see anything that you can do
for me ?" said irritable Jane "Don't you
see l am rot com ortable2 The back of
my chair wants raising Strange that she
could SEQ itl
AIMS pretty, wax doll face wore very
humble, grievcd expression.
"Aunt, my papa was not sharper. If
l have not inherited faculty fer seeing
everything so that can play my points, /
can't help it.
''rhere, there, child; know there is
nothing tricky about you. Raise my chair,
and then you may CO."
The very humble, grioved expression
died out of AIMS face, and thore was a
snccr in the smile that fitted over it as snc
stood behind Janc's chair
Ann made great show of affection for
her at times, but Edith placed no value
upon 1t, for she knew just what it was
worth; she knew that Ann was selfish, de.
ceitful, caring for nobody on earth but her
self
Poor Edish loved her aunt, and cravcd
her love in return.
She never blamed Janc'for being preiu-
diced against her; she only allowed herself
to think how good the old lady had been to
her; she felt 80 grateful for her home and
education.
"Edlth," said Jane, when Edith re-
turned to the room, 'T thought you said
my chair was too low. Pm very uncom.
Portable since Ann raised It," And Jane
fidgettd about.
ut is raised just trllo too high," said
: Edith.
"Oh, of course; you think Ann never
does anything right. snapped Jane.
While aunt Jane was talking, without
"ehihS IcI pollniSSlOn, Lultn turned the
screw of the chair half way, and placed
the hard-to-be-pleased old lady at her ease.
Never a word against Ann, murmured
Jane to herself and when Edith was leav-
ing the room, she called:
"Edith."
Edith turned quickly, for she detected a
mlldncss In her aunt's tone that was never
there before when she addressed her.
Nothing; you may CO." said Jane, as
If she had bravcly conquered her better
feelings.
Ann was standing on tho balcony when
q splendid pair of horses were drawn up at
lhe gate, and handsome young man
handed Edith out of his wagon.
He held her hand longer than he ought
TO, Ann thought, and the expression of his
face, as he bent his head and said some
thing In q low voice to Edith set AIMS
heart beating wildly with jealousy.
Ann was In love with Henry Jones, the
gentleman who had just now driven away
from the gate.
MIR. Jones was a gentleman who made
very frequent visits Of late
Ann attributed these frequent visits to