Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-04-23

Kitty's countenance fell. How could
anything really be done to such a
pokey, common little house? Kitty
sighed, as she lifted out the heavy
brocade, and wished these decorations
might be applied to a somewhat
worthier home, something picturesque
and artistic.
However, she had gained much,
and it was with bright face she
stood before her aunt, laden with the
old-fashioned finery.
See, Aunty, it is a perfect beau
ty. | brought down this lovely scarf,
too. 1t would make such a table
cover. Did you know it was there?
i never took one thing out of the
trunk said Miss Randall, gravely,
1T was bitter. gift to me, and l
scarcely know why l did not leave it
behind at the Masons. What a
weight it is | have always supposed
it was the wedding dress. l think it
will be a real relief to me to send the
stuff to the dye-pot. The mere
thought of its pink-and-white flower
mess has always turned me a little
sick Just look how it is lined
throughout, and what shape.' Aunt
Catty seized the scissors and began
to rip vigorously.
4 wonder,' she calculated, 'wheth-
er Aunt Katharine really thought I
would make guy of myself by wear
ing that thing to be married in
'Oh, no! aunty, you would have
to rip and alter it, of course; but
with white satin, you know, and
plenty of tulle, it might have been
made lovely
with my yellow cheeks.' said
Aunt Catty, with snort. She
ripped on.
'Kitty!'
Kitty, who had been daintily de-
taching the old lace border from
neck and sleeves, looked up, start
led, to see Aunt Catty sitting per-
fectly limp and pallid, staring at the
silk, from which protruded various
stiff, greenish corners. What was
it? Kitty's' mind was quick. She
jumped up; she tore recklessly at
the beautiful silk: the Innings fell
apart. Miss Randall sat paralized.
They fell around her. Greenbacks
without numberl Fifty dollars, one
hundred dollars-by twenties and
forties they came; and Kitty, grow
ing methodical, gathered them all
up and put them into aunty's lap.
Il do believe the whole sixty thou
sand are here ? she cried.
They were. Sleeves, waist, all
were pulled apart, and the carefully
padded bills extracted. Just over
the heart was stitched in a little
note:
DEAR NIECE Think kindly of
me if you can. If your James Lev
ater is better man than mine you
will find the real worth of this, my
wedding dress. If he is what | think
him, you are well quit of him and
may thank me. In any case you
are sure to find the money soon, for
it wouldn't be you not to rip up and
dye my old silk and make it of some
use. Niece, may you be happier
woman-whether maid, wife or wild
ow-than your unfortunate
AUNT KATHARINE.
Poor Aunt Catty! she could hard
ly recover from the shock and sur
prise; but when she did it had a
wonderfully softening effect upon
her. A dozen bitter little angular
tiles and queerness which had grown
out of her time of indignity and
disappointment dropped away at once
and forever. She looked younger
and sweeter than she had, her niece
thought, when emerged, at last, from
a long cry behind her handkerchief,
cheered by the knowledge that Aunt
Katharine had not insulted and for
saken her as all these years she had
thought but what in reality saved
her from what might have been an
unhappy marriage, and applied the
test to the heart which shrank back
in good time, thank heaven! And
now, instead of a soured, forgotten
old maid, lonely and drear, as she
had considered herself, she walked to
the truth that she was rich, healthy,
independent woman, with a lovely
niece to pet and spoil, and delight
IN uicCe whU uoc -ril1ly dan oincr
around the room, waving a green
back over her head, and crying with
merry triumph;
Aunt Catty, never say again that
you hate rummaging. .-Independert.
Browns Iron Btters in my family With excellent
results"
Mr.. EDITOR, / read that story in
your paper entitled, "She wanted a
DIVORCE" with a good deal of interest
and with your permission will add a
moral to it. If you men regard the
feelings of your wives, don't be
timers" When you "jined" your
wife, it was with the understanding
that you were to be ''no more twain
| but one flesh" She wants to be one
with you in all things, and she has a
right to be: and for you to go and
slime" something that you cannot tel
her about, is altogether too bad
| .oou,,