The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-07-27

it would enable me to place my darlina
in as good home as l should take he
from, and I could not endure the
thought OF anything less. / did moi
want to take any advantage of Jim and
Bert, however. Once L ventured to
broach the subject to my aunt, and pro.
posed that she should divide the money
equally among the three of us; but |
was promptly told to mind my own
affairs, and not trouble myself about
money which would never trouble me.
Bert happened to be the one to in.
form Aunt Mabala Of my engagement to
Ray Ansdell.
II tell you she's stylish r. I heard
him say in conclusion, and with ma.
licious inteut, was sure, for the word
"stylish" always goaded tho old lady
into furious humo1.
"Stylishl" she snorted excuse the
verb, but no other one expresses her
tone. "Of course that's all he wants,
thenl Any little fool who can mince
along and look like fashion plate will
do for him no brains, no common sense
but never mind, if she's only stylish
At this juncture walked into the
room, and Bert, who did not know OF
my proximity, looked little cres sifallen,
and soon took his departure.
$50 Bert was kind enough to inform
you OF my engagement" remarked.
"Oh, yesl 1t was nothing to me, of
cNnrse! He cnly happened to mention
it."
This in her most sarcastic tone of
voice, and I knew she was offended
because had not made q confidante OF
her.
cit is only few days since it was all
unity to inform you of it," l said,
anxious to conciljate her. if possible.
"D)n't trouble yourself to make
excuses, young man. OF course no one
expected you to think of your poor old
.uut at such time as this. She has
aothing in common with lofty young
rnntemen nor giggling little firts,
either"
Aunt Mahala, please don't pass
Judgment upon Ray Ansdell until you
nave seen her and become acquainted
with her." begged, feeling the occa-
sion to be too important to lose my
'emper.
Well, bring her around" she con-
descended to say. 81 confess I'd like
20 see tie girl who is fool enough to
want to throw herself away on you"
1t would never do to slight this court
.ous invitation, so explained to Ray
soon afterward that an eccentric old
lunt OF mine desired to see her. Ray
xpressed her willingness to go and ray
her visit.
~ dearly like eccentric people," che
eclared, enthusi istically.
I greatly doubted her liking Aunt
Mahuli, but would not discourage her
y saying so
81 will come for you early Saturday
afternoon" I said, as kissed her good
bye at the door. "And, darling, You
nust not mind if my aunt makes pc
:uliar remarks it is her way"
"Oh, mol And 1 shall make her
like me, in spite of your forebodlngs to
the contrary"
snow, Ray, never said J."
"No you never said So" interrupted
Ray, "but you looked it all the time,
III imagine your Aunt Mahala and
won't get on together well, we shall
see."
ST don't know how any one can help
loving you," I cried. snatching dozen
kisses from the bright, roguish face so
close to mine.
Saturday, Immediately after lunch
con, | informed Aunt Mahala that l
should bring Ray Ansdell to see her that
afternoon.
Ansdell-Ansdell. she mused. 81
used to know man by that name
good while ago - q poor, shlftless,
drinking fellow. What did you say her
other name was?"
"Rachel," 1 replied, thankful that it
was an old.fashioned name, for Aunt
Mahala persisted in liking anything and
everything dating fifty years back.
"Then why don't you call her Rachel
instead of that silly nickname? But
then 1 suppose it would not be stylish
enough for her ladyship."
1 kept my temper with an effort, and
tried to say calmly:
"Auntie, I hope you will say nothing
to Miss Ansdell about your fortune or
your. intentions regarding it. She
promised to marry me believing me to
be poor man with my way to make in
the world, and as she will probably
have to live with me as such l don't
want you to say anything to raise ex-
pectations which may never be real
ized."
"Don't be alarmed" said Aunt Ma
hala, grimly, "It's not likely I'd be
Dragging of my money to little chit
like her, who don't know the value of
dollar except to frit'e it away on candy
and ribbons. By the way, / should
think it would be quite come down for
the young lady to set up housekeeping
on salary of seventy-fve dollars a
month";" sneered the old lady, in a
manner that made my blood boil.
"You will please be mere respectful
in speaking of her aud to her." 1 re-
torted. 81 don't expect you to like
her. II I brought down an angel cut
of heaven You would say she didn't
know anything but if you do not treat
Ray Ansdell decently I will never for
give you, and when have home of
my own you shall never enter it. Now
mark my words"
"You insufferable puppyl" shouted
Aunt Mshala, furiously. "You look
we'll talking about angels out of
heavenl 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
l had been exceedingly foolish to lose