The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-09
AUNT MARY'S STORY.

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 AUNT MARY's STORY.
 It is twenty years ago, Sissy. You know your auntie was an only daughter, and pa was very little at home in her days. was very proud. Not that 1 went about with mineing airs, or that l was particularly given to dress. My pride was too great for that but 1 never crossed our threshold without feeling in the inmost corners of my heart what a privileged maiden l was to be the daughter of the Rev. Christopher Wayne, rector of Great Bielby parish.
 And truly in Great Bielby it was for tune, for of the few who could claim the title of gentry by birth, not one was possessed of such accomplishment as I. One or two families of the fox-hunting class cared little for these trifles, as they were pleased to term them, and simply engaged governess as kind of staid duenna-like set-of to their brusoue. masculine dash. Mrs. Wynleve certainly did strive with her daughters, tor she had not been without pretensions herself in her younger days. But with little sue cess; example was inauspicious, and her attentions were often drawn away with other engagements. As for the rest, be- ing like the Misses Wynleye, without govemess, and also without much hope of assistance from parents, their educa- ton progressed or stood still in languid, lack-a-day fashion.
 But for me, my dear old pa was a whole college oi tutors in himself; his library was mine; what hours he would spend selecting and marking out the choicest passages for our mutual joy on the morrow, how he gloried in my ioy when l clapPed my girlish hands and sprang with bound to the window for very rapture at some new gem he had unearthed and treasured most secretly till that moment when we might enjoy its beauties together what delight he took in remarking our concurrence of tastes, and how he chimed in upon my hilarious treble with his hearty and melo- dious bass. Oh, what happy times those were. Sissy. l. do not really know whether he was happier, or I-he, learning his German at 50 years, that no pursuit should divide us; dear, dear pa, whom 1 all but worshiPed, whose feelings were my lasting charms, whose word and opinions were the law of all the prophets. and ] the only girl in Christendom, though he never said it. My governess. an exceptionally gifted lady, Fssulein Levig, was the issue of months of delib- eration and inquiry. From her ac- quired the lighter arts of painting and music, together with some proficiency in modern languages. That piano you so much despise and look upon as though 1t were Queen Elizabeth's virginal, was rarity in those days. remember my Lady Bissington could not conceal her displeasure on her first visit after its ar. rival from London. In a loud whisper intended for my fathers ears she remarked to the other occupants of her carriage as she drove away: " Wayne must certainly intend his daughter to appear in public.b D And pa only turned back and tossed up his head in contemplation of something far remote-perchance some thought of Dante's or nature touch from Shakes. peare. How loved him for that yesy thing, that he was never offended, for his power of absent-mindedness no annoy- ance could trouble the tranquility of bis benign features long-a transient fire gleamed in his eye, and like he true he was, his mind had leaped to nobler things. Such of our neiehbors as could venture to have opinions, con- sidered him eccentric. And indeed he had reason, for his centre was altogether without his compass. don't think be took much pleasure in music naturally, but he would frequently call me away from my book on the hearth to run over some of the reveries of the great masters. Nothing undertook but he would make great effort to comprehend and enjoy, and whatever was a source of feeling for me, became to him spring of deep in- terest and unfailing concern.
 have told you all this in preface of my story, Sissy, that you might better understand me. Aunt Mary. has never been married she has never been quite like other young girls. People speak of her as they did of her dear pa she is eccentric, some say-a blue-ssoeling. She has never been in love, e1cepa wifh that loving white head nov gone to rest. think now you will know why. Yet she has story-a little romance-a rocollec- ton which has something sweet in it sill "a souvenir by which you will lsarn that " maidenly aunts are not altoeesher ont of the circle of human nature.
 l only mentioned the upper elass of our pasishiousrs, among whom you nay gather l did not find mueh cunennici company. Inaddi6oa shsss vss several vealsAy hrmen and prsrrisssn vsry lit- tle beneath us in worldly. petition. FathG and 1 oesn made ths passchial viaio ssgsthess ed, iaased, to sae of| these latser fSequently vess a,cra ose of the dAughtss-unsseally beixht and inteaigent-was . spcialr fayusfts of1 mise, and during her lsss illsess spens| many Aouss sn1savzing b rolisvs ths 70 bonn ot pain in reading and othx dmple aftentoos. h that vay Rrev vszy mucA endeared to the family; the naaeG would seal into tAo ehamhw ~Ans rcd and vipe away ths quick eenn .seh an evasive hand ths nosAw| evEuheamsd nc with blesssnes. and the Son uD0 onlv too elad if tSo e,s-sn~