Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-04-15

pretty You used to be and how proud
Uncle Thomas was Of you"
II will be so again." cried aunt, res
olutely, in an excess of temper, eff it's
only to disappoint that upstart woman.
I'll throw of all my ailments, though
die in the effort, and be as young as
she is"
"Aunt-Aunt Mona-I want to ask
you not to be offended at some plain
truths I am going to tell you. Your
illness, during all these years, has been
more imaginary than real; your natural
nervousness has rendered you an easy
prey to quack doctors and patent medi-
cine vendors, who have had no regard
to your health, but only to your hus-
bands money. You have given way to
your fancies and gone about like an old
woman. the greatest figure imaginable.
Look at your gown this morning; look
at the cap you have now put off! You
might be well if you would"
perhaps, after all, old Stafford may
be right when he tells me have no or
ganic disease" said she, sadly.
eyes, indeed he is, and now want
you to promise me never to take an
other drop of medicine unless prescribed
~ never will"
"And oh, Aunt Mona, try to be cheer
full, and to make home happy place
for your husband and children. Think
how terrible it would be to lose their
love-"
cit seems to me that 1 have lost their
love-" was the despairing reply.
"No, 1 hope not; no, indeed, Aunt
Mona. They are just little tired of
your constant complainings, and must
say don't wonder at it. Even the serv-
ants are tired. Think how long it is
since you had acheerful word upon your
lips or smile upon your face! If you
would only be the loving wife and
mother again. things would come right"
"Al Che same, Maria, you cannot
deny that Caroline Borrow has turned
out deceitful crocodile. Think Of her
display of friendship for me, up to this
very morning! Think of her setting
her ugly widows cap at your uncle be-
fore 1 am dead -
..But you know, aunt, you have been
as good as dead-in speech. Telling
them, week in, week out, that you shall
be in your coffin the next r.
"Well, child" she said, rather faint
ly, 81 have been i'll; have suffered"
can, say, if you like, and circumvent
pardon the word-the widow and her
cap-setting. Think how much you owe
to God for all the many blessings He
has showered down upon you-and how
but repinings."
Aunt Mona, brushing out her still
beautiful hair, paused. A flush stole
over her face.
81 never thought of it in that light.
of it; will try"
And she began forthwith. That very
evening she dressed herself up and
went to the penny reading concert, TAX
ing Kate and Louisa. Uncle Butter
field was there, sitting beside Mrs. Ber-
row. My mother, all unconscious of
the treason, crossed the room to sit
with them; went to Aunt Mona. We
all went home together as far as our sew
| eral ways led us, and though uncle did
see the widow home aunt did not begin
moaning again.
How wonderfully from that time her
appearance and manner changed, you
would hardly believe. She grew young
again; she grew cheerful. Cheerful
and more cheerful day by day. Her
dress was studied; her servants, house,
hold and children were actively cared
for. She took to visit again and to go
to church on Sundays; she invited
friends to little parties at home. The
pills, and herbs, and physics and de-
coctions were pitched away, and the
bottles sold by old Sarah. Uncle
Thomas was charmingly sunny tenn
pered in the house, as he always had
been; but he did not give up his visits
to the Widow Borrow.
"But he will in time, Maria" said
aunt, privately to me, a world Of conf
dent hope in her voice. "Only yester-
day he smoothed my hair down with
his gentle hand and said looked as
young and pretty in his eyes as did the
day we were married"
"Yes, aunt, you are winning him
back, you see. knew it would be So"
"And oh, child, I am so much hap
pier than used to be, with all my pains
and my nerves and my lowness Of spirits
gonep'
1t was a month or two after this. all
things having been going ON in the
incest possible way, that Mrs. Borrow
one cold morning, for December had
come in, presented herself in Aunt
Mona's parlor, smile on her ever
pleasant face. I was there, helping
Aunt with the things intended for the
Christmas tree. She had not had tree
for years. Not been sable" to have
one, she used to say. Uncle Thomas
had told her laughingly this year not to
spare the money over it.
Mrs. Borrow. coming in, say, with
her bright face, went straight up to
aunt and kissed her. Aunt Mona did
color a little at that.
II am come to ask you to my house
for the 9th of January" she said, "you,
Mona, and your husband and the TWO
girls. Your mamma has already her
invitation, Maria, and yours, too" she
added, nodding at me.
els it a tea partyP" questioned Aunt
Mona, stiff1y.
'No; breakfast. And I hope you
will attend me to church beforehand
and see me married"
"Marriedr' cried, staring at her.