The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1881-05-13
The Aunt-Mother's Story
BY L. F.

am the younger OF TWO sisters, the
only children of Mr.. Waring, a wealthy
merchant of London, esteemed no less
for his high probity than for his ex-
tensive resources. Passionately at
tached to us, we had lost our mother
in infancy. We were brought up in
every luxury we had the best educa-
ton unbounded wealth could COM
mand /; and, IN our fathers splendid
mansion, in Russell square, we very
soon attracted that notice and engross-
ed that attention which is usual with
city heiresses. ..
My sister Augusta, rather naughty
beauty, may observe, was early des-
tined by our father to become the
bride Of Lord Spindleshin, nobleman
rather advanced in years and Of recent
creation, but possessing immense es-
tates. Who, however, can control
the heart, or divert the course of fate.2
A Baisos, formed by Augusta in girl
hood with a young officer, amiable and
attractive, and nursed in stealth, end
ed by the birth of the hapless girl you
have hitherto taken TO be my daughter;
but long ere her birth, Fitzroy Pom,
sonby, for that is the officers name,
wholly dependent on the favor of q
stern and flexible father, who had
higher views for his son, was ordered
on foreign service and had departed
for India.
AS the period of Augustus accouohe-
ment approached, circumstances ocs
CURED which rendered her projected
marriage with Lord Spindleshin more
than ever to be wished. The sun of
our fathers prosperity had begun to
wane the failure of some heavy spec
ulations, aud an unlocked for and sud-
den change in the funds had reduced
him, almost in . day, to comparative
poverty only this marriage could en-
able him to save his tottering credit,
and retrieve his ruined fortunes. A
whisper OF Augustus secret amour
would have spoilt all-would forever
have destroyed all hope of the con'
summation of that sacrifice which
she now felt was so urgent--so neces-
sary. 49,
What was now to be done--how
were we to avert suspicion and effect
our purpose TO save our fatherp Oh
Mr.. Fortescue, perhaps I was wrong
in lending myself to ooncealment-to
falsehood-to deceit--but sisters
honor, a fathers happiness, demanded
no less devotion from me; I deter~
mined to dare all. We found pre-
text to retire to distant part of the
country, where after the birth of Julia,
at The price of loss of fame and COM
promise of all my life's young hopes of
future love and happiness, sisterly re.
gard and daughters affection led me
to consent to pass as the mother Of the
luclzless little stranger.
We returned to town; Augusta be-
came Lady Sprindleshin; and, L,
under feigned name, passing myself
off as widow, retired with her in
FAINT, my beloved Julia, to this secluded
spot. Ny fathers fortunes were reno.
vaied-my sisters's honor preserved /;
they were happy, and was miserable
Miserable, did sayl No, I had the
consciousness of having done my duty,
and in that thought, at least, there
was peace and satisfaction.
But you, Mr.. Fortescue, with your
knowledge of the world, will easily
conjecture that under such circum-
stances calumny soon was busy with
my reputation. The report that I had
prOpagated of secret marriage, and
my subsequent widowhood, soon came
to be generally disbelieved. The
stigma of beng an unwedded mother
at once effectually shut me out of the
pale of society, and led the strait-laced
and pious inhabitants of this beautiful
little village to look upon and shun me
as infected but, happy in the love Of
my adopted Julia, have borne all
with patience. Reproaoh, contumely,
persecution, and every other species Of
injustice have, for her dear sake, been
alike disregarded. In watching over
her education and maturing the in.
genuous graces OF her mind, in her
unvarying affection and deep devotion,
/ have found consolation for all, and
have forgotten the malice of mankind.
! Thus sixteen years have passed away;
and now, Mr.. Fortescue, comes my trial.
Your keen eye must have detected thai
circumstances have recently occurred Of
no common affliction to me. have, in.
deed, need of all my fortitnde--of all
your friendship. Lord Spindleshln has
lately died without offspring, and Au
gusta's early love, the father OF Julia
the brave aud handsome Fitzroy Pom
sonby, has returned from India, high In
command and possessed of handsome
fortune; his inhexible father no longer
lives to sacrifice his sons hopes to wild
ambition. Still faithful to Augusta, the
early love of his heart, Fitzroy Is come
to lay his wealth and honors at her feet
His proffered hand has been accepted BY
my sister; they have plighted their trotl
together, and yearning to embrace, anC
acknowledge the mutual pledge Of theil
young affections, they are now on theil
way hither TO claim her, enfold her IL
their arms, and bear her away from thi
humble retreat to their splendid mansion
in Grosvenor square, and make amend
by intnra aQoranni yam ant and anlirlfndI