The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-12-29
AUN T WILLY.
Exchange.

do no, think there could be found m shree kingdoms oli,her old maid than Miss Miilieent Orme. otherwise Aunt Nlilly. tor so she was universally called 5y her neph.ws and nieces. Inst, second and thrd eoaslns-nay, even by many who could not boast the smalles, tie of =sonsanguinity, But the sort of universal aun;hood 10 the whole neighborhood was oy no means disagreeable 10 Miss Milly. ior m very little body she had large heart, of a most India rubber nature no, .ndeed, as the simile Is used in speaking of female hearts that never break, but always stretch. But Miss Mllly's heart possessed lhis elastic nature in the best sense, namely that II ever found room ia' Lew occupants: and. moreover, ii was remarkable for It's quality of eitacing all ankindness or injuries as easily as India faoser removes pencil marks from pa per.
 Aunt Milly-I have some right 10 call her so, being her own nephew. Godfrew Estcourt-was an extremely little woman. She had pretty littie features. pretty little tee, and hands. pretty little figure, and always carried pretty little work bag, n whose mysterious reeesses the children Of the neighborhood loved 10 dive. sell dom returning 10 the surface without some pearl of price in the shape of lok- enge or a sugar plum. Her dress was always neat, rather old-fashioned, per maps, bu, invariably becoming; her soft brown halr-it really was brown still - lay smoothly braided under tiny cap :; he. white collar was very snowy indeed. Aunt Millys whole attire seemed to have the amazing quality of never looking worn, soiled or dusty. but always fresh and new. Yet she was far from nch, as everyone knew: but her income was enough for her little self She lived in nutshell of house, with the smallest of small handmaidens; indeed, everything about Aunt Milly was on the diminutive scale. She did not abide much al home, for she was everywhere Tn request-at weddings. ohrIstenlngs, etc. And. to her credit be il spoken. Aunt Milly dld not turn her feet from the house of mourning. She could weep with those who wept; yet, somehow or other she conuivcd 10 muse hope amid despair. and Tn genetal her blithc nature converted all hfes ml- nor evils into things no, worth lanent.ng about.
 Every one felt that Aunt Mlily's en- trance into their doors brought sunshine. She was sunbeam Tn herself there was cheerfulness Tn her ligh, step her merry laugh, the juggling of the keys in her pocket was musical She had word oi encouragement, for all. and an inclination ,s look on the sunny side of every bod, and everything. No one was more vel come in mir:hful days, no one was more sought for in adverslty: for she had the luality of making the heavies, troubles seem lighter, and her unfa,ling motto was, All happens for the best.
 All my school boy disasters were de- posted in Aunt Miily's sympaihizing ear: and when l grew up, s,ill kept to the old habit. came to her one day with wha, considered my frs, real sorrow I. was the loss. by a sudden failure of a dreds my poor father ha a1 laid up for me. My sad news had travelled before me, and was not surprised to see Aun, Mil iy's cheerful face really grave as she me, me with. " My dear boy, am very sorry tor you"
 "It is the greates, misfortune could have cred. '' wish that wretch, Sharpless ="
 "Don', wish him anything worse than he has to bear already. poas man, slth his large family" sald Aun; Nlly gently.
 " But you don, know aii nave lost. That Laura and here stopped. looking, without doubt, very miserable. and possibly very silly.
 You mean to say. Godfrey. that since. instead of little fortune to beg,n tae world with, you have hardly anything al all, Miss Laura Ashton will no, consider that her engagement hotds expected it."
 "Oh, Aun, Aiily. she IS no, so mean as that. but we were to have been mar ried in tao years. and 1 could have go, share in Mor,iake's office, and we should have been so hsppy All ,ha, IS over now. Her father says she must wait, and Laura is 10 be considered free. Life Is nothing to me. will go to America, or shoo, mysels..'
 How old are you. Godfrey" asked Aunt Miiiy, with quiet smile that rather annoyed me.
 "l shall be 70 mex, June" said.
 Young people always pu, their age in the future tense i, sounds better.
 I" Ii Is now Juiy. so mat may call you lo and one month. My dear boy, the world must be a horr bie place, indeed. for you 10 grow tired of 1t 90 soon. would advise you 10 wal, lEttie while be- fore you do anything so very desperate
 Aunt Miliy," sad l, turning away, it is easy for you to talk-you were never in love"
 A shadow passed over her bright face, but Arn, Milly did not answer my illus son.
 q do no, think boy of I9 is doomed