The Opelousas courier., 1884-07-19
AUNT STEPHANIE.

AUNI SIEPHANlE.
"Charles! Charlesl you won't forget
to meet my Aunt Stephanie at the de-
pot at u o'clock precisely"
Mrs. Early had followed her tall
brother-inlaw to the front doorsteps,
with the fresh wind blowing her
bright hair about her face, and a Scar
let SHETLAND shawl drawn picturesque
ly around her shoulders pretty wom-
an with something of matronly dig
nifty subduing the arch mischief that
sparkled in her merry eyes.
MI Charles Early was a stalwart,
handsome young man, with blue eyes
and light brown hair Swallowing a
fair open forehead. tt was almost
pleasant to look into, with nothing of
irresolution or effeminacy about it,
and consequently Charles Early had
many friends-aye, and loyal ones,
too.
He turned round at the sound Of
his s~ister-in-law's voice. Josephine
was one of his most useful and con-
slant allies.
No, I'll not forget. Josephine. but
I am sorry her grandfathers and god
mothers in baptism gave her the name
of Stephanie."
why"
because I know a Stephanie; the
prettiest fairy you ever sawl Il was
when we were at Woolgrove beach last
month-and if you'll promise not to
tell my sober brother, Bob, I'll to you
a momentous secret Josephine. Have
I your pledge of secrecy"
q promise"
well, then, I lost my heart to that
beautiful slittle stephanie. with her
aossy yellow curls, and her rose
n outh with its tiny pearls of teeth,
and her pink and white complexion,
Just like your great oleander in the
drawing-room.'
did you promise to her, charlieg 2
Questioned his sister-in-law, with all
the eager easnestness of a woman's
curiosity.
mot just then-another secret, Jo
sephine,-I promised by letter, day be
fore yesterday
aAnd you have received no ansWer?'
Not yet; I suppose it il too soon
but I'm on thorns and nettles unit
enc does reach me. Josephine, if sht
don't have me III drown myselfp'
No Charles, you won't. What alb
I surd NONSENSE
Z aThen I'll do worse; I'll subsidt
into a cross-grained, fdgety old bach
Z clor grumbling necessarily at every
thing and everybody for the rest q
my natural days; just see If don't"
E. $780, ASNC
.Char4es. you're q g%oose!!'
so are all young men who have tn,
|. misfortune to fall in love. It's thei
z normal condition. What time do yol
say tha train arrives? Twelve?
shall have to get a carriage. I sup
pose to transfer the rheumaticy ole
lady here. without any breakage 0
! bones. Does she walk with q gold
! headed caneg'
9 "Yes, and she wears a wig and spec
acles, and talks through her nose, ant
takes snuff from q tortoise-shell-boxl
3 ANGELS and ministers of grace de
fend us!' Josephine, how did you eve
/ ccme to have such an aunt? and how
did her name happen to be stephanie
instead of Dorcas or Tryphosa?7
I I'VE call her Aunt Feny' for short,
said Mrs. Early, mischievously, an,
$ her brother-in-Iaw strobe down til
!, street. whistling. but not for lack 9
I thought, All he went.
! Il wish Aunt Feny was inthe Re
. The thought, q little ~vindicatively
'5ut ! suppose ] must oblige jose
plline."
3 50 at 10 O'clock precisely Mr. Charlie
b Early stood on the platform at til
H-depot, watching the long tran
as il loyly glided Ia. like q frt
F.roated serpent.
Z There comes sour antedlluvian d
b bag. Charlie said Guy st. Eyeri
sNitsa 4 laugh, rs brisk, but SOM
what bent figure, Wrapped from hea
foot III ayoIumIrous cloak 81 smut
oIored bombazine. with q huge circl
Al eape Of the same, stepped out /
last cars. hi the aid OF Al iroI
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