Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-02-19
Aunt and Niece.

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 I'm not in love;
40, nor likely to be-"
/ But, Aunt Mary" meekly pleaded the
blue eyed little darlsel, ''only think of the
difference between forty and seventeenth
Mary Hepworth rubbed her nose vehem-
eptlyt!
.saUpon 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 am seventeen" argued Bessie,
and danced at the last Charity ball, and
ny dresses are all made with long trains.
Besides, George says l am his guardian
ANGEL"
"Oh. flddlesticks!' cried Aunt Mary,
what do you want of a husband p
'All the girls have husbands, returned
Bessie. -...
!. "Aren't you happy as you are? -.
''Y-yes. confessed Bessie; ''but II
.thiak-I should be happier if l were married
to George"
'And 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." scornfully echoed Mary
loves your money!
81 have no money, said innocent Bessie;
$50 it can't be that"
Mary laughed hard laugh.
s'It has never yet occurred to her mind
! that she il 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 1t; SO there"
! And she turned once more to Bessie.
Bessie said she coaxingly, do oblge
me and give up this; foolish notion Ola
husband"
''Oh, Aunt" cried the girl, ''really l
couldn't" 49,,
'Tll give you the diamond cross that you
fancied, last week.
"Oh, Aunt"
''Or come-you shall have summer at
Saratoga"
81 don't want to go to Saratoga"
''Would you prefer going abroad? p
urged the elder lady. II don't like sea
voyages, but anything would be preferable
to wrecking your future"
"I-I think | prefer George, Aunt, fal
tered Bessie. ''Tha: is, if you won't be
angry" ....
"You;will rush hesdlong on your fate,
then 2" cried Mary.
''Yes,D confessed Bessie. 81 think that
if you don't object, l will"
'Bessie," said Aunt Mary. 81 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-"
F'Oh, aunt, there never was anyone half
so much in earnest as we two are, " fer
fveBtIy interrupted Bessie, claspihg her
hands.
Eyes, yes, daresay," said Mary. every
we'll, as l was remarldag, III take it into
consideration.
And Bessie sat down and wrote little
pink note to her lever:
.'eDEAREsT GEgRsE sE*-=Aunts Mary has re-
Tented, and you are 70. come and see her,a'
once. Oh, joX 10y!
BESSIE"
And she called the gardeners boy, anc
gave him twenty-five cents topost the let
ter Immediately.
Mr.. George Dickson, being like his fai
fa,tcee very much in. earnest, lost no time
n responding to this rose scented summons
Crank he said to his law partner, ant
particular triend,' "you'll stand by fellow,
won't your"
..rTo the death, SAID Frank Wright.
sGTben come with me to face Bessfe's ole
aunt" said Dickson, 'for it all depend
upon her-our future mean. Bessie i
such a dear, dutifull little kitten that sh'
will never marry without her aun''s con
sent.
.eThat's the situation of affairs, ell ?
said Mr.. Wright. And where does thl
arbitress of your destiny reside ?"