The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-14
Aunt and Niece.

"Besse, Bessie, you're very foolish
child, said her aunt Mary.
''But can't help it," said Bessie Norton
pileously.
''Ielp it nonsense said her aunt
Here am over forty, and Pm not in love;
no, nor likely to be-"
''But, Aunt Mary" mcckly pleaded the
blue eyed little daA,sel, ''only think of the
difference between forty and seventeen !"
Mary IIepworth rubbed her nose vehem-
emily. "
"Upon my word, Bessie" said she. 81
don't know what to do about this riClicu
lous business of yours. Dear, dear, | All
sure don't know what this world is COM
ing to anyway.
''3ut am seventeen" argued Bessie
"and l danced at the last Charity ball, and
my dresses are all made with lcng trains
Besides, George says l am his guardian
angell"
"Oh, fiddlesticks!'' cried Aunt Mary,
what do you want Of q husband 2"
"All the girls have husbands" returned
Bessie.
:'Aren't you happy as you are ?"
"Y-ycs." confessed Bessie; "but IL
think should be happier if | were married
to George"
"And why, in the name of reason2a de-
mandcd Mary.
"Bccause he loves mel"
And the deep roses came into Bcsses
check as he spoke.
"Lovcs you'll" scornfully echoed Mary
loves your money!"
"Ihavc no money" said innocent Besse
$50 it can't be that"
Mary laughed Il hard laugh.
cit has never yet occurred to her mind
that she il my hciress and that the people
call me "the rich old maid," thought Mary
to herself. 'Poor little unconscious dove.
And for her, of all people in the world, to
become the prey of fortune hunter
won't have it.; so there
And she turned once more to Bessie
"Bcssic,' said she coaxingly, do obligc
NE and give up this foolish notion of
husband"
ooh, Aunt" crisd the girl, Greatly I
couldn't"
'l'll give you the diamond cross that you
fancied, last week."
ooh, Aunt"
''Or come-you shall have q summer at
Saratoga"
81 don't want to go to Saratoga"
"Would you prefer going abroad ?"
urged the elder lady. II don't like sea
voyages, but anything would be preferable
to wrecking your future"
"I-1 think prefer George, Aunt" fall
tered Bessie. ''Thas is, if you won't be
angry"
"You will rush headong on your fate,
then9" cried Mary.
eyes," confessed Bessie. II think that
If you don't object, will"
''Bessic," said Aunt Mary. 'T never
denied you anything yet, and l don't sup
pose shall deny you this. Tell George
Dickson to come and see me. And if he is
really In earnest---7-<p
''Oh, aunt, there never was anyone half
SO much in earnest as we two are" fer
vently interrupted Bessie, clasping her
hands.
Eyes, yes, darcsay," said Mary. every
well, as I was rcmarking, I'll take it into
consideration. 5"Ns.N 'i. "n
And Bessie sat down and wrote little
pink note to her lover:
"DEAREsr GEoRaE Aunt Mary has re-
lented and you are to come and see her at
once. On, joy, joyl
Yours Eternaly,
BEsslE."
And She called the gardeners boy, and
gave hin, twohty.five cents to post tile let
ter Immediately.
MIR. George Dickson, being like his fair
.fa'scce- very mitch in earnest, lost no time
IN responding to this rose scented summons
''Frank," he said to his law partner and
particular friend, 'ttyou'll standby fellow,
won't your .,
''ro the death, SAID Frank Wright. ,
"rben come with me to face Bessie's old
aunt, " said Dickson, ''for It all depends
upon her--our future I mean. Bessie Is
such dear, dutiful little kitten that she
will never marry without her aun;'s con,
sent" ,s, t,D
"That's tho situation of affairs, ch r.
said MIR, Wright And where, does this
arbitress of your destiny reside ?"
SIN the IiBloomingdale road,'' said MI
Dickson, "Blt YOU see, rich or poor, it