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

torted. 81 don't expect you to like
her. II l brought down an angel cut
Of heaven you would say she didn't
know anything but If you do not treat
Ray Ansdell decently 1 will never for
give you, and when l have q home OF
my own you shall never enter it. Now
mark my words"
"You insufferable puppyl" shouted
Aunt Mahals, furiously. "You look
we'll talking about angels out OF
heaven You look a great deal more
like mating with an angel out of the
other place, with your smoking and
swearing and your disrespectful man.
ner-"
Here she choked for breath and es-
capped from the room. 1 reflected that
had been exceedingly foolish to lose
my temper when talking with Amt Ma
hala, for when this happened she never
failed to get the better of me; she Ger
taiDly had done so now, and this fact
would put her into something as nearly
resembling good humor IS she ever al
lowed herself to indulge, consequently
now was the auspicious time to present
Ray.
|
found her waiting for me.
"You don't say word about my
new suit" she said, as soon as we
| started. cit Just came home from the
dressmaker's, and it is quite too stylish
for anything"
NV heart sank; Aunt Mahala would
hate the dress and its owner, I thought,
as 1 looked down at it. 1t was plain,
| full skirt of some silky material, with q
queer, gathered waist, and puffs at the
top of the sleeves; nothing fancy about
it, but if it was stylish, its fate was
sealed as far as Aunt Mahala was con.
cerned.
"Rob, something troubles you this
afternoon" exclaimed far sighted Ray.
do / look so very hideous, and are
you sure that Aunt Mahala won't like
meT
"You are charming. my pet; but
was thinking how miserably poor am.
Ray, have you ever reflected that with
my salary cannot provide all the
Injuries to which you have been accus-
toned in your own home?
"Rob, have you ever reflected that
so long as have you I don't care
penny for luxuries or anything elseP"
"But when you are deprived of them
you may miss them more than you
imagine, my dear Ray" urged
"If you keep on talking in this ridic-
ulous way shall think you are becom-
ing tired of me, and in that case there
is no use going to see your Aunt Ma
hala," exclaimed Ray, stopping short
aud pulling her arm from mine.
"There, there, Rayl 1 won't say
another word; we'll take each other for
better or worse, and I'll work-oh, bow
1 will work to make fitting home for
youp
We had arrived at the house by this
time and 1 led the way at once to my
Aunt Mahala's room. The old lady
arose as We entered, and gazed steadily
at Ray.
Where did you get that dress ?"
she demanded, without paying the least
attention TO my formal introduction.
Madame Guthbert made it for me"
answered Ray. manifesting no surprise
at my aunt's abrupt question.
"It's the first decent dress I've seen
on girl in fifty long years Why, child.
| had one made nearly like it when
was a girl; and bead york bag, too /
exclaimed my aunt, snatching at the
dainty morsel of glistening steel which
Ray held in her hands. "Just such q
one as l had given me on my eiRh-
teenth birthday used to carry it
wherever went, but one day was out
in boat with a lot of young people and
some one dropped it overheard, and
that was the last of it. / can't under
stand how you happen to be carrying
one so near like it in these days." Aunt
Mahala said. in dazed kind of way.
"This was Grandmamma AnsdelIs
when she was young" Ray explained,
brightly. "It's exactly like the fash
ionable ones now, and mamma said
might have it for mine. I'm knitting
lace" she went on, as my aunt con
tinued TO gaze at her like one in dream;
$50 thought I'd bring it along and
work while we talked"
ITO be sure my dear Sit right
here by me-" said Aunt Mahals, drawing
out the easiest chair and seating Ray in
it.
All this time 1 bad stood by, so as
founded by the old lady's amiability
tn t hardly comprehended what was
being said. Had she suddenly lost her
mind, or was Ray bewitchipg herr
They were soon deep in the mysteries
Of lace-making, and Aunt Mahala
brought out piece after piece of lace
yellow with age.
"All my own work when 1 was
girl" she said; and Ray pronounced
them lovely, and asked to copy some of
the patterns.
Never had seen Aunt Mahala in such
a mood as this, and 1 could only be
thankful and hope for it to last
"Rob, the poor old goose, doesn't
seem to appreciate lace work." Ray
said, with side-long glance at me.
"That's So" replied Aunt Mahala,