The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-01-18

possibility that Muriel and Audrey
might make an impression upon some
''gildedyeuth" on New Year day which
might haply terminate in matrimony.
Secluding themselves would be social
suicide, and Mrs. Velyeton was just open
ing her mouth to remonstrate, when
Sniffen, the tall lservant-man whom they
kept because he was $50 much more
genteehthan a maid," brought in let
ter. esesssF1R s4o ss.~..
{" ITS from Aunt Tabby," cried Mrs.
Velveton, and she made haste to open it.
Out fell a-cheque for five hundred dol
lars, made payable to the order of We
Meta, -Yelyeton, and signed 'Tabitha
Clark. !" Audrey picked it up with a
shrek of delight and surprise. f
The old darlingp she cried. "It's
a present for US, of course-a New
Years presentp1 b 81 s@@N
50 Nothing of the sort!'. said Mrs. Vel
veton, with a gradually elongating Wis
age. " Listen to what she says, girls. -
"MY DEAR NIECE VELyRroN: This is to
inform you that1 have received tidihgs that
my grandniece and your cousin, Mabel Wilton,
has been lef. an orphan at No. = Morto /
Street williamsburg, and that she is in great
want i inclose cheque for five hundred
dollars, In order that you may find her out and
purchase for her respectable wearing ou fit
and sewing machine. The residue of the
money, after the above Investments have been
made, issto pay her expenses at your boarding
house for such time as it may suffice. Pray
let me know when the money is all spent. By
| this plan / hstter myself that can be service
able to both you and her. So no more at
present from Your Aunt,
TARTTHA CTAPK8
"CRASBERRY COTTAGE, Casford, Conn,
| December 1S-.
intyshearteds old miserr' cried
Audrey.
~feOatt" boarding house, indeedr' said
Muriel, looking satrically around at the
elegant drawing where Sniffen
was just lighting the chandeliers wax
caadles.a aser
mabel Wilton!'' thoughtfully re-
peated Mrs. iVelveton.s III don't know
nor care anything about her. A factory
girl, I suppose-or something of that
sort! I'll tell you what, girls, I've an
idea, I've a good mind to take the
money, and buy your dresses for New
Years. It really seems to have come to
US, quite providentiallY.. And then,
when New Years Day isAover, can 90
to Williamsburg or Hobeken, or where
ever it is, and take your cousin a few
dollars and give her a little good advice,
and perhaps rent a sewing machine for
her for a month or two. Then the no
tionof bringing her here, you see, is
simply prepasterousp' ze..s a.
| '.Of courser' said Audrey,
"To be sure,''' chimed in Muriel.
/ 4 4
Madame Elisette herself composed
them to the satisfaction of even the
Misses Yelveten.. And Soprini received
carte blanche to set the table, and Vau-
doir had the flower order, and Mrs.
Velveton congratulated herself that
nothing was wanting. e'5.
New Years Day came, cold and clear,
and glittering with sparkling snow be.
low and a heaven of glorious blue above.
Ting -a-ling'' went the bell before
Sniffen had buttoned on his new livery
coat, !jaas aEg sssT. ret Ss1s n
"Our first call" !" said Audrey, giving
her pale-blue train shake cut. ''What
antediluvian can it possibly be, to come
at this timep'' 64 aFc33
I'm sure, I can't imagine,'' said
Mufiei, posing her face into the regula-
ton delighted smile. cs t.s,
And in walked a little, old woman, in
snuf-colored suit and round spec
tacles, followed by a tall, pale girl, in
shabby black. 9sE 58ssTctals;} s. vs.,
s'Aunt Tabitha!'' cried Mrs. YeIveton,
who, in a dscoltete dress of black satin
and a. ruby necklace, had justswept into
the room.
EYES," said the old woman, looking
keenly around her-''yes, you are right,
Venetia Aunt Tabitha and Mabel Viii
| ton! How came | here? Why, Mabel;
in her loneliness and trouble, came out
to Cranberry Farm and appealed to me,
20 my Tanazement, she had never, even
heard of her cousins, the Velvetons.
The check was duly cashed, as my
BANKER notified me-. But / said to my
self: Poor, .Venetia! Boarding house
keeping is a grinding business. llgo
myself and see what the trouble is
Upon my word, you live in royal style
here. With man-servant and mo-
| quette carpets, and frocks ] should say
cost as much as fifty dollars apiece!
How many boarders do you'll keep And
what do they pay you week?'' @ss
Mrs. Velveton burst into tears. The
bitter sarcasm of aunt Tabby voice, the
mocking light of her eyes, were abso-
lutely uncomfortable, especially as the
acknowledgements guests were be-
ginning to arrive, and stared in amaze
ment at the little, old. snuff-colored
woman and her tall. pale companion,
whose dresses were such a. contrast to
the blue dansdsse and court trains of the
Misses Velyeton. sI
II see,'' said the old dame, crisply.
"No, Venetia, don't begin to
make excuses. You have told
me lies enough already. L don't
want to be deceived any more.
You have deliberately robbed theorphan
and the fatherIess to add to your vulgar
ostentation. You are such fine lady, -
with allow courtesy, ''that you are no
longer in need of your old aunt's hard
earned savings; so l shall adopt Mabel
Wilton in. your stead. young ladies.
And wish you Happy New Year, and
many of 'em, for you viii never see me
againr' Jg
And SO the old lady went away, with
Mabel Wilton in her train. E
| al