The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-24
IMP, OR ANGEL?

MFR Aunt Urania is woman of great
energy and penetration. If she sets
herself to discover a secret, she never
rests until she has enlightened herself
down to its inmost recesses. When my
pretty friend Elizabeth Terry was hold
ing us all in suspense as to her inten-
tions with regard to the interesting wild
over who now speaks of her so affec-
tionately as 60 my present wife" (signifi-
cant not only of certain past, but of
possible future), Aunt Urania invited
the wary Elizabeth to take long coun-
try drive. "And, my dear, III have it
out of her, if we don't get back till
midnight" she said. They were gone
only two hours, and my aunt entered
with triumphant face, the grays all in
lather from the victorious haste of her
return, while in strong contrast was
Elizabeth's serene Inconsistencies.
{" How did you do it?'' l inquired, at
the first possible moment. s'Did she
confess it allp'
"Confess! my dear, not a word. She
hasn't an idea that she has betrayed
herself only asked her, quite casually,
how many children Mr.. Williams has,
and she answered, 'TRree,' with such a
look, Satch a sigh!"
The event proved my aunt's acute
ness, and made her more than ever to
us all an object of admiration and ter
ror.
1t was rather unfortunate for me that
Aunt Urania put off her projected
Journey to Europe for six months-the
six months which decided my fate in
life. should have enjoyed them much
more, and managed my affairs much
more smoothly, uninspected by her
keen eyes, unadvised by her keener
tongue shall always believe it showed
very persistent state of feeling both in
Harry and me not to retire discounted
from so watchful sentinel.
eyes, of course, your attachment to
the child is very natural, my DEAR" she
would say, ssas said to Mrs. Dubois
only yesterday. Nothing / said, 'can
be more natural. Susan Bardmore,
to my niece; no friends could be more
intimate; and of course she feels very
much for the little boy"
81 wish you wouldn't talk so, aunty!"
I exclaimed. ''Henry Bent's first
wife! / never heard that he had more
than onei"
"Oh no, not as get, my dear, but it is
only question of time; and pretty gen.
orally very abrupt question, and short
space allowed for an answer. Of course
he must have somebody to look after
that child; l never saw in all my life
child that needed it more. The most
saucy, spoiled little wretch-a perfect
little imp!"
''Aunty! He is perfect little angel"
said l. GAS for care, Coralie keeps him
in beautiful order, and he is entirely
healthy and happy here in the country
And it is all very well to say, 'Of course
he must have somebody to take care of
the child, of course he must marry when
you know that if he had no child, you
would say, 'Of course he must marry,
poor fellow! he is all alone: if he had
even child to care for, it would be diff
ferent.' For my part" l added, 81
hate second marriages.
ooh, you do" said Aunt Urania; and
then ensued a pause, broken by d thump-
ing at my door with little closed fists.
Let me in, let me in, Nora," said
the dear little voice, in just his mothers
old, sweet, imperative way. And the
dancing eyes that laugh up at me out of
that fair little face are Susie's very eyes.
81 want you, my own Nora" said the
darling. "There is little calf in the
barn, and papa says may 60 to see it,
but you must take me-"
Hoity-toity!" said Aunt Urania.
"That is pretty way to talk to lady.
Must take you, indeed"
"Papa didn't say just that, did he,
Bardiep" I asked, annoyed to feel my
self coloring under aunt's keen eye.
"He said mustn't go unless 1 had
the best of care; and I know he meant
you, because Coralie is very careless
he sand she was yesterday, when got
my boots wet. And the old COW butts
at me if 1 go near her. So you must
come, Nora, darling; Bardie wants you
so bad!"
Who could resist those eyesp-that
coaxing voicep 1 had followed just such
eyes and voice all my life, and l fol-
lowed them now.
So did Aunt Urania, with her most
investigating spectacles perched on her
nose.
"Well, Bardie," she remarked, cheer
fully, eff you say we must, and papa
says we must, why, we must"
Bardie stood stock-still, with an evil
look on his face.
al didn't mean you," he said.
sob, my dear little boy, that wasn't
polite," l whispered; but he only gave
me hug, and turned to aunt with a
seraphic smile. .s.t
"You'd better not go. The COW is
quite dangerous one," he said, in a
very civil tone. "And she doesn't like
red things; they make her furious.
She just runs right at them and losses
theLa.''
"What is the child talking aboutp