The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-08-28
''She Is waiting for you at home"

had the least doubt OF warm welcome at
her brothers house, and Fred surely con-
firmed her expectations. He found the
OLD black leather trunk, the bag, the band
box, the ''picter" paper bought on the cars,
the great bungling umbrella, and put them
all into tho carriage, without one smile of
ridicule. He made his aunt 20 to the
restaurant and refresh herself with hot cof-
fec and oysters before starting for the long
drive home. He listened with respectful
interest to all the mishaps of the long,
tiresome journey, and fully sympathized
with the
elimination Of every mortal stitch that
I've got on, dear, In tho horrid dust and
smoke"
And he chartered pleasantly of his child
ish recollections Of the tiny house and wide
farm in the far west, where Aunt Zabina
lived.
"You see," she told him, IL made up my
mind If the ten-acre lot done well this
year, would come to New York once be-
fore died. I've lotted to como fore now,
dear, but something or nuther allus him
dered. Dcart Dearl You've all growed
up, s'pose, and you was but lot of ba-
bies last time poor John brought you to see
NO."
'Corlnne Is the youngest, and she is
eighteen. Wilbur is the only one older
than am"
Eyes, I renlemberl Well, deary, Pm
glad Johns wife raised such flno family.
I'm only an old maid, but do like chill
dren and young folks"
But chill fell on the kindly old heart
when home was reached at last, and four
fashionably dressed young ladies gave her
strictly courteous greeting. But for tho
warm clasp of Fred's hand think she
would have returned to the depot by the
same carriage she camo in, she felt 80
wounded and sore.
"Got one kiss" she thought, ssand Fred
kissed me at the train, right afore all the
folks"
Fred slipped silver dollar into the hand
OF the servant girl who was to wait upon
his aunt, promising another If she was
very attentive, and himself escorted the old
lady to her room.
1t was not often the young mans indig-
nation found voice, though it grew hot
over many shams and acts of hard selfish
ness in the house of his mother, but he
said some words on that day that called
blush to the cheeks Of even these worldly
women.
1t was not very busy season, and find
|
sorry time II left to the members of the
family, Fred asked for weeks holiday,
appointing himself the old lady's escort.
He was too proud to care for the fact that
the quaint little figure on his arm attracted
many an amused glance, but gravely stood
by, while new dress for Dolly, the dairy
maid, and stcity necktie" for Bob, the
plowman, were purchased, gave undivided
attention to the more important selection
OF new black silk for aunty herself; and
pleasantly accepted blue silk scarf, with
large red spots that was presented to him,
appreciating the gift, and mentally resolv-
ing to wear it when he paid promised
visit to the western farm.
He drove Aunt Zabina to Central Park.
and enjoyed her delight over the then new
enterprise of the city fathers He took her
to see all the sights. Once or twice, meet
ing some of his gentlemen friends, they had
thought the 'queer old lady is some rich
relation Gorham is very attentive" and
had delighted Aunt Zabina by their defer
ential attention. Once-Fred, had not
counted on that-in q picture gallery,
Cornelia Caldwell sauntered in alone.
She had heard of Aunt Zabina through
the disgusted comments of Lucille, and
knew she had no property but s'miserable
farm Out west, with house on it as big as
bird cage" but she greeted Fred with a
smile far more cordial than she usually
gave her admirers.
A little lump camo into Frcd's throat:
then he gravely introduced the stately
beauty in her rustling silk and heavy velvet
to the little countriflcd, old-fashioned figure
on his arm.
t'My aunt, Miss Gorham, Miss Cald-
WE'LL"
They admired the pictures together, and
the young lady was jovial and very talka-
tive. AS they came down the steps Miss
Caldwell said:
"You must let your aunt drive an hour
or two with me, Mr.. Gorham. I am going
to do ssme shopping, so will not tax
your patience by inviting you to join us;
but shall be pleased if Miss Gorham will
dine with me, and you will call for her
this evening""
Then she smiled again, made Aunt
Zabina comfortable in her carriage, and
drove of, leaving Fred forty times deeper
In love than ever, as she intended that he
should be.
''He is the very best of men," she
thought, ''and I'll give him one day of
rest. Bless the dear old soul, she has Just
such blue eyes as my poor dear old grand
mother"
Then she won Aunt Zabina's confidence,
and found that she was worrying about the
purchase OF certain household matters that
would not 60 into the black leather trunk.
and that she did not like to worry Fred
about. Sho told her of tho express con-
venicnce, and drove to the places where
the best goods were to be had, keeping
guard over the slender purse against all i'm
position, till tho last towel was satisfactorily
chosen and directed.
Then she drove to her own homo and
brought her to the room where grand
mother was queen, knowing the stately
old lady would make the country woman
right welcome.
In tho evening that followed Fred'sheart
was touched and warmed, till scarcely
conscious of his own words, he told his
long cherished secret, and knew that he
had won love for love.
Aunt Zabina stayed two week, and then
left for home, to the immense relief of the
| GOrhams and carving no regret at leaving