The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-08-16

Aunt Mahala, "Rnd shall come again
very soon."
Robert" said my aunt, as Ray was
tying on her quaint poke bonnet to go
hcme, "Rachel looks very much as l
did at her age"
This was the worst insult of all, but /
bore it without u murmur, and Ray ex-
claimed, impulsively:
"I hope shall look as nice as you
when 1 get to be your Rgep
actually thought 1 saw tears in Aunt
Mahala's eyes, when Ray threw her
arms around her neck and kissed her
good night, and her voice certainly trem-
bled as she said:
Goodnight, my dear child. God
bless and keep you"
"Rob, has your Aunt Mahsla any
property p inquired Ray, soon after we
commenced our homeward walk.
Eyes, believe she has some," 1 an
swered, hypociitically.
"Then / am sure she intends giving
some of it to you. She asked me how /
expected to get along as the wife OF
poor man, and said / should be very
onomical. l told her we were going
to work together and make money; that
should do most of my own work, and
ali that She chuckled and nodded her
head, and kept saying, I'VE shall see
we shall see + and 1 couldn't help
thinking she meant to do something for
you. ] hope she will, Rob, for your
sake. 1 don't like to think of your
toiline behind that desk to make bare
living for us"
Then I told her all about the one
hundred thousand which had not the
slightest doubt would now be mine.
"And all because you are the dear
est, sweetest, most sensible woman in
the whole world" 1 declared.
"No," contradicted Ray, "it's because
fashion. like history, repeats itself. Il
the old sty es had not become new 1
shouldn't have had my dress made in
this delightful, old-fashioned way, nor
should 1 have been carrying Grand
mamma Ansdell's work bag, nor should
l have been knitting lace such as your
Aunt Mahala made so long ago; and
you know very we'll, Rob, that it was
all this which pleased the dear old lady"
"Then we'll call it Providence work.
ing in our behalf, and be thankful Tor.
evermore," 1 said.
"And you will do something for your
cousins, who will be terribly disap.
pointed" pleaded tender. hearted Ray.
Certainly" 1 replied. "I always
intended to help them If the money
came to me-"
The next day Aunt Mahala informed
me that I might get into any branch of
business that 1 desired, and she would
furnish the money.
"You have some business TACT" she
said, condescendingly, ''and with such a
wife as Rachel Ansdell, you can't go far
wrong"
thanked her heartily, and kissed her
to emphasize my thanks, at which she
was greatly incensed, and told me not to
make fool of myself.
Bert came over that same morning.
Ifancied he was little anxious to know
how Aunt Mahala liked Ray. She did
not keep him long in suspense, but
sounded her praises until he appeared
to grow tired of listening.
"Wait until you see the girl have
my eye on," he said, lightly.
"You couldn't find one like Rachel
Ansdell if you hunted the world over.
Why, never shall forget how 1 felt
when she walked in here yesterday.
! She looked like some dear old picture
stepped down out OF a frame. 1t
brought back the days of my youth lit
did, indeed ~ decla red Aunt Mahala,
verging on the poeti,,al.
The old lady has ever lost her good
opinion OF Ray, but always looks upon
her with especial favor. She is losing
some OF her sharpness of tongue and
temper, too. think she is ashamed tC
indulge before Ray, who is good nature
and sunshine itself. If she keeps or
improving she will be quite a lovable
old lady, but however that may be, Ra'
and can never forget how much We