Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-10-11

been to see us; but / sent her about
her business"
"Well, she certainly can't expect
us to provide for her." said Mrs.
Smith, beginning to crumble up
the reserve of biscuits that Eveleen
had brought out, with a sigh
"Smith's salary amt large, and I've
a good sized family Of my own. l
told her pretty plainly that as far as
| was concerned, she needn't expect
anything. And | do hate these gen
teel beggars! And if she should
come here, Eyeleen, hope you will
give her the cold shoulder. Hush :?
There's a knock now. If it should
be herp"
It's a good thing we're here to
advise her." said Mrs. Sykes, as
Eveleen went to the door. " Eveleen
is so unexpecting! Any one could
impose upon her !"
Yes, to be sure" nodded Mrs.
Smith, complacently. "And-But,
dear me, it is Mary Ann ~
Both the sisters nodded frigidly at
the approach of a tall, nervous. look
ing female, in poor black, followed by
Eveleen, who drew out the softest
easy chair for her accommodation
and gently united her wispy bonnet
string.
"Do sit down." said Eveleen; 81
am sure you are tired. Let me give
you cup of tea at once"
eyes," said Mary Ann Blake,
looking apprehensively from Mrs.
John Smith, "T'm tired. I've been
walking good way"
81 hope you've got a situation I"
said Mrs. Smith, Jelly.
But Mary Ann Blake shook her
head.
at was very foolish for you to
come here at all, wasting your money
on an extensive Journey" said Mrs.
Sykes. Why couldn't you go to
Aunt Pamela?"
Nov Aunt Pamela was the rich
old aunt who so sy Systematically Ig.
nored her niece, kept the money in
bonds instead of investing it in Mrs.
Sykes whole sale grocery, or Mr..
Smiths insurance company
81 did," said Mary Ann, detected
ly.
"Stingy old harridan" said Mrs.
Sykes, with energy.
"She has a right to do as she
pleases with her own, | suppose"
said Eveleen, who was making some
fresh tea for the pale guest, and cut
ing little beef in thin slices.
" No, she HASN'T" said Mrs. Smith.
" People get so miserly."
"Sykes thinks we might some day
clap her into lunatic asylum, and
put the property into the hands of
trustees, for the use of her relatives"
said Mrs. Sykes.
81 don't know about that" said
Ann Blake. "IOnly know she would
not give me anything. And I do
not know what to do. You are my
cousins. Perhaphs-"
"Oh, indeed we can't do anything
for YOU" said Mrs. Sykes, becoming
absolutely arctic in her demeanor,
while Mrs. Smith drew herself up,
and set her thin lips together like a
carmine. "Better get back as fast
as you cam" added Mrs. Sykes.
"By all MEANS" said Mrs. Smith,
with a toss of the artificial asters.-
"And tell that old lady that she's
deal better able to provide for you
than we are"
NO." said Eveleen, gently,
" Cousin Mary Ann shall stay with
me. There's plenty OF room on my
little iron bedstead for two, and l
can 60 out with her, looking for
situation, after school hours"
Eveleen, you're crazy J" said Mrs.
Simon Sykes, uplifting both her
hands.
You're a fool" politely added
Mrs. John Smith.
But the strangers lip quivered.
.God bless you, child y said she
rising up, and putting aside the veil
of worn lace that dropped on her
face. "And now, girls, | may as well
tell you that am your Aunt PAMELA"
"You, Aunt Pamela 7" shrieked
Mrs. Sykes.
Yes, IL
But-you are rich ~
People say So"
"Then,a gasped Mrs. Smith, why
do you come here in the guise of q
beggar ~