The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-05-24
AUNT RACHEL.
BY WALTER CLYDE.

ana as IL contains some lauleS WuoSo
style is not so antique as Aunt Rachels,
believe never have any regrets when
my worthy relative asks me to GO. to her,
2 In fact, there is one young lady at
Bloomfield who has no fortune whatever
to bestow, in whom I feel deeply inter
ested-I cannot say whom 1 love. for
aunty says am too young to NEEDLE
with affairs of the heart, and l try to
think 30. Aunt Rachel watches me
quite closely but believe always haze
acted in her presence just as she would
wish.
Sometimes Aunt Rachel comes to the
city, and then have difficult role; for
we have many relatives, and each one
tries to excel the other in pleasing our
dear aunt. My mother is her favorite
sister, and at our house Sue always dom
iciliates herself when in the city. When
here she has many things to look after,
and in all her jaunts l must accompany
her.
A short time ago she was in the city,
and during one of our rambles in tina up
per portion I inquired why she had led
single life. She spoke evasively for
some moments, and then said: "Well,
Walter, 1 always intended you should
know what no one on earth but myself
does know; and perhaps this may be the
last time shall ever have an opportunity
to tell you; so will give you my hearts
history"
As we walked slowly along an unfre-
quented street Aunt Rachel, with a fal.
tering voice and an occasional sigh, con-
tinued as follows: When l had arrived
at the age of eighteen was vain, giddy
girl, who thought of nothing but pleas
ure and admiration. My heart was given
up to the vanities of this life, and. like
too many of my sex, was fond OF
trifing with the affection of masculine
hearts. l never was very beautiful, but
l have reason to believe I had fasci-
mating manners; and having been we'll
instructed in music and painting, for
which displayed remarkable talent, 1
became quite an attractive parsonage at
my nutive village. For time the study
and aim of my life were to gain admira-
ton, and almost forgot had O heart
until there came to Bloomfield young
man who soon became quite Zion at
the village; for lie had travelled in Eu-
rope, and was gay, handsome and pol
ished.
or course his coming caused great ex-
citement among the girls, and many q
bitter feeling was nurtured in their try
ing to outshine one another in the eyes
of the young stranger. l, among the
others, was dying to win the attention OF
Archibald Hardee, though l pretended
to ignore his very existence, even when
he sat and talked SO eloquently to a
crowd of pretty girls in our large parlor
about a W. el, after his arrival at the viii
luge.
When first saw him could not meet
him with the self sufficient air with
which / was accustomed to meet gentle
men, for there was something in his
couutenance which Immediately told me
/ was in the presence of superior, and,
strange as it was to me, hardly found
words to answer his fattering salutation.
In short time l found that l loved
Archibald Hardee, and / tried to deny
the passion, even to my own heart, which
would culver ct the sound of his voice.
This was O new order OF things to me,
and when tried to find enjoyment in
my old manner OF pastime l found but
discomfort, even unhappiness.
For q time Archibald seemed to be
wholly unaware of the feelings bore
him, though l was sure he could see
them in my half-closed eyes and blush
ing face. But at length he spoke to me
of love, and told me that he had loved
me from the first evening we had met.
He spoke beautifully on the subject l
had 40 yearned to hear him speak; yet,
while my heart answered every word he
said, l pretended to listen with care
less ear, and when he had finished re-
piled: Mr.. Hardee. have heard these
avowals several times in my life. and
have learned not to rely on them, but il
time can prove you unchanging perhaps
1 may consider your declaration more
deliberately; but for the present can.
not say I sympathize with your feel
ings."
These we're difficult words to utter, but
my love for triAing and vanity came to
my aid. and spoke in quite listless
tone. He did not resume the subject,
and when he babe me goodnight"
acted % If had entirely forgotten his
passiouate speech. He remained several
months at Bloomfield, and IS his visits
became more and more frequent, l ct
last disclosed TO him the state OF my
leart. On tho evening confessed my
ceilings some good angel seemed hover.
hg over me. directing my thoughts and
iords; for l felt 90 happy in revealing
Ae secret which had 30 long lain in my
bart.
Arcaibsld seemed overjoyed, and !
VS. astonished TO find that man OF 60
much mind could act so passionately as