Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-01-28
Aunt and Niece.

'besse, Bessie, you're very foolish
child, said her aunt Mary.
But can't help it, said Bessie Norton
piteously.
''Help it nonsense" said her aunt
Here l am over forty, and Pm not in love !;
NO, nor likely to be-"
But, Aunt Mary" meekly pleaded the
blue eyed little dsnsel, ''only think of the
difference between forty and seventeenl''
Mary Hepworth rubbed her nose vehem-
emily.
"Upon my word, Bessie said she. 81
don't know what to do about this ridicu-
lous business Of yours. Dear, dear, am
sure l don't know what this world is COM
ing to anyway.
''But l am seventeen" argued Bessie,
sand l danced at the last Charity ball. and
ray dresses are all made with lcng trains.
Besides, George says l am his guardian
angel"
.'Oh, fddlesticks.'' cried Aunt Mary,
what do you want of husband?'
'tAll the girls have husbands, returned
Bessie.
''Aren't you happy as you are,"
''Y-yes." confessed Bessie; ''but IL
think l should be happier if 1 were married
to George"
Sand why, in the name of reason'" de-
manded Mary.
''Because he loves me, :"
And the deep roses came into Bessie's
cheek as he spoke.
'Loves you'll" scornfully echoed Mary
loves your money!
81 have no money" said innocent Bessie;
$50 it can't be that"
/ Mary laughed hard laugh.
'.It has never yet occurred to her mind
that she i, my heiress 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 l
won't have it; 80 there. -
And she turned once more to Bessie.
BESSIE said she coaxingly, do oblige
me and give Up this foolish notion of
/ husband
''oh, Aunt" cri.d the girl, 'really
couldn't"
''I'n give you the diamond cres. that you
fancied, last week"
''Oh, Auntln
''Or come-you shall have a summer at
Saratoga"
~ don't want to 90 to Saratoga.
'TWOuld you prefer going abroad"
urged the elder lady. Il don't like sea
voyages, but anything would be preferable
to wrecking your future. "
'I-I think prefer George, Aunt, fall
tered Bessie. ''Tha: is, if you won't be
angry"
sYou will rush headlong on your fate,
then n cried Mary.
"Yes," confessed Bessie. 81 think that
if you don't object, will. F"
Bessie" said Aunt Mary. 81 never
denied you anything yet, and don't sup
pose shall deny you this. Tell George
Dickson to come and see me. And il he is
| really in earnest-"
''Oh, aunt, there never was anyone nan
50 much in earnest rs we two are, fer
vently interrupted Bessie, clasping her
hands.
Yes yes, daresay," said Mary. Every
well as | was remarking, I'll take it into
consideration.
And Bessie sat down and wrote little
pink note to her lover:
aDEAREsr GEoRsE Aunt Mary has re-
Tented. and you are to come and see her ii
Yours Eternally,
| BESSIE"
And she called the gardeners boy, sno
rave him twenty y-fvs cents to post the iet-
ter Immediately.
Mr. George Dickson, being like his fair
fancee very much in earnest, lost no time
responding to this rose scented summons,
oFrank.n he said to his law partner, and
narticular friend, you'll stand by fellow,
won't your
.sro the death" SAID Frank Wright
.Tben come with me to face Bessie's old
ann, " said Dickson, ''for it all depends
mon ber-our future mean. Bessie is
sncb a dear. dutifull little kitten that she
w;Il never marry without her aun;s con-
sent" ..
.erbafs the situation of affairs, eh 2
.aid Mr.. Wright. And where does this
a,bitress of your destiny residef"
.1n the Bloomingdale road, > said Mr..
n;,tson "But you see, rich or poor, II
makes no difference to me. ITS her niece
want-not her money
.s,Jopev is a convenience, for all that,
tboughtfully remarked Wright. es,
ri help you to face the music AT wha'
hour am to present myself
.at ten tomorrow morning, said DicN'
son.
s.Isn't that rather earlyf"
.sTbe sooner know my fate the oe''ei
will for me- said Dickson. titner
enter into the gates Of paradise, or orc"'
myself"