The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-05-10
AUNT DORA.

SnOulu ike 10 nave MIN make ner aC-
quaintance. 1t would be good thing
for Lima
Thus ran the postscript of Mrs. Dora
Smiths letter to her niece. Mrs. Law
ton, who seventeen years before had
married and left her home with her aunt
to reside in London. Aunt and niece
had been almost uninterruptedly sepa-
rated since.
The letter found Lima Lawton at the
end of her first season. You would not
have detected flaw probable in the
girls health, after her season of dane
ing and late parties; but there was
slight languor and Indifferent appetite
And then came Aunt Dora's letter.
"Just the thingr' said Mr.. Lawton.
''Lina has had enough fashionable folly
for this year. Send her off to AuntDora,
it will do her n world of good!'
But Mrs. Lawton hesitated.
81 don't know that Lima would like
it, she said
She remembered the quiet life they
lead at the old country house where
most cf her youth was spent, and it did
at seem likely that pretty Lima, play
ing waltzes with a dainty touch in the
next room, would be contented out
there.
To be sure, Aunt Dora had whole,
comfortable and pleasant house; but
ehe was very decided in her opinion
that girls ought to learn to be good
housekespers and she had sent her niece
forth into the world almost as capable
hcusekeeper as herself.
But with Mrs. Lawton it was differ
ent. Beautiful Lima had been too daint-
lily kept to share in the labors of the
house, where, in truth, servants were
kept III such plenty that soiling those
little hands had always seemed super
| fiuous.
But Mrs. Lawton knew very well that
Aunt Dora would disapprove such
bringing up of the girl, and her con-
science reproved her that Lima at six
teen could not make a pudding.
cit would be a good experience for
her, for Aunt Dora. though strict, was
always considerate in her training. Lima
has been to too many dances this winter
The air is splendid at Oaklands. She
shall co." she decided.
Then the subject must be broached to
Lima with certain tact, that the trip
might prove a success.
''My Aunt Dora wants you to go to
Oaklands for the summer, dear-the
most beautiful of all places! and father
is very anxious you should be in the
country this summer. You remember
Aunt Dora, do you not?'
''No; but should like to go very
much" said Lima.
''Papa will 90 with you, the first of
next month; and by-and-bye will come
up with the boys, make auntie a visit,
and bring you home fresh as rose and
brown as oc"ry, expect. But, Lima,
Aunt Dora is very domestic, and will
want you to learn the way of a house.
keeper and to assist her. l expect you
will be willing?"
Lima said eyes, lightly.
'sShe will want you to do things about
the house, and do them very nicely. 1t
will be good for you, the training; and
if sometimes little irllsome, be patient
and faithful, and try to please auntie,
for she was the best friend of my girl
hood. viii you remember this, my dear
Lina?" and Lima promised.
The gay society season was quite at
an end, and in the strong suns of April,
the girl imagined the country, of which
she had seen little, would be beautiful.
The parks and public gardens were al
ready bright with emerald turf and
white westeria. She had youthful
love for such sights! Wild old Oakland
would be scene of enchantment, she
believed. She had often heard her
mother talk of the bloom-white apple
orchard, the field and brooks. She
should have delightful summer, she
was sure.
But at the last moment, it turned out
that Mr.. Lawton could not accompany
his daughter upon her journey, and
Lina's mother could not 90, for the two
youngest boys were down with measles:
but the letter was already dispatched
announcing Lima speedy coming, so il
was desirable that she set forth at once,
and the girl declared that she was not
afraid to 60 alone.
There is no change of train, my
girl" said her father. as he put her in
to carriage at St. Pancras. '''Twil
go right through, and be III before dark
Aunt Dora viii be sure to meet you al
the statiol."
Aud with look of solicitude and ;
word Of encouragement, he was off anC
the train rolled out of the station, taking
Lima upon her journey.
She had every essential for her trip
from her pretty traveling-suit to well
packed lunch basket and book fo
reading.
1t was a bright spring day, and Lin;
leaned back in her seat with a feeling o
enjoyment.
She was naturally fearless and enjoy
ed the enterprise of her trip. alone.
At noon she ate her lunch and com
nenced her book. which, diversitfe'
with watching the change of passengers
absorbed the afternoon. But she wa
getting little tired, when the guard
passing, said,-
Next stations yours, miss"
Lima aroused herself, and looked Oh
at the window; lonely. grey fields an
nohouses. Ten minutes later she spran
= out upon platform, and looked beWilC
cred about her.
The train ratified away; the few pei
sons who had alighted with her disaI
> peared as if they had sunk into tn
- ground. There was not form i'll sigf
upon the cheerless spot but Il long, Ian
young man, who alighted from an Ol
spring cart and approached her.
''Be YOU Mrs. Smith niece, eh? Wei
{ then, I'll take you right up"
Lima had mechanically responded
his question in the affirmative but Whe
her uncouth escort would have gallan
d ly taken her hand to lead her to tt
e cart, she drew back.
. ''In that?" she exclaimed involunta
- lily. Il never rode in such thing
my lifer'
The young fellow looked from tt
D. dainty girl to the mud-bespattered o
vehicle, and answered.
- ''Dare say not. But that's what y
aunt sent me in fur ye; and yell ha'
O to 90 in it.
] For moment Lima silently contend'
with her emotions. She had expect'
her aunt in comfortable family ca
riage to meet her. Such a reception
this seemed little short of an insult
. But she remembered that she W
! quiek-tempered and tried to control he
- self,
She certainly preferred to think
offence was meant, and swallowing t