The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-09-03
AUNT MARY,S STORY.

1t is twenty years ago, Sissy. You know
your auntie was an only daughter, and pa
was very little at home in her davs l was
very proud. Not that 1 went about with
mincing airs, or that l was particularly
given to dress. My pride was too great for
that but J never crossed our threshold
without feeling in the Utmost corners of my
heart what a privileged maiden | was to be
the daughter of Rev Christopher Wayne
Rector of Great Bielby parish.
And truly IN Great Belby it was fortune.
for of the few who could claim the title of
gentry by birth, not one was possessed of
such accomplishments as /. One or two
families OF the fox hunting class cared little
for these trifles, as they we're pleased 20
say, and simply engaged a governess as a
kind of stsid duenna-like sst-off to thei
brusque, masculine dash Mrs. Wynleve
certainly diG strive with her daughters, for
she had not been without pretensions srself
IN her younger days; but with little success;
example was inauspiciOus. and her attention
was often drawn away with other engage
ments- As for the rest being like the Misses
Wynleve, without gOverness, ana also with
utmueh hope OF assistance from parents,
their education progressed or stood StIll in
JaDguid, lsck-a-daY fashion.
But for me. nv dear old pa was a whole
college of tutors in himself; his library was
selecting
and marking out the choicest passages for
our mutual 10y on the morrow, how he
gIoried in my Joy when | clspped my girlish
bands and sprang with a bound to the win
dow, Tor 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 be took in
remaIkiDg our concurrence OF tastes; and
how he chimed in upon nv hilarious treble
with his hearty and melodious bass, Oh
what happy times those were, Sissy. l do
not really know whether he was happier or
/; he, learning his German at fifty years
that no pursuit should divide us; dear. dear
pa, whom all but worshiped, whose failings
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 excep-
tionally gifted lady. Fraulein Levig was
the issue of months of elaboration and in
quIy. From her 1 acquired 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 it were Queen Elizabeth's
virginia., a rarity in those davs
i remember my Lady BSsington could not
conceal her displeasure on her first visit
after its arrival from London. In q loud
whisper intended for my fathers ears, she
remarked to the other occupant of her car
riage as she drove away: Wayne must GER
lie" And pa only turned back aud tossed
up his head IN contemplation of something
lar remote - percbance some thought Of
Dante's or a nature-touch from Shakespeare
How loved him for that very thing, that he
YVES never offended for his power of absent
mindeoness; no annoyance could trouble
the tranquility OF his benign features long
a transient FIRE cleaned in his eve, and like
the true philosopher he vas his mind had
Ieapt 10 DOhler thIngs. Such of our neigh
bOIs ss con venture to have opinions, cOn-
sideTec him eccentric. And indeed he had
reason, for his center was altogether without
his compsss- I don't think ne took much
pleasure in music naturally. but he would
frequently call me asay from my book on
the hearth 10 run over some of the reveries
of the great masters. Nothing L undertook
but he would make great effort to com pre-
bend ano enjoy, and whatever was n source
OF feelIDg Tor me, became 10 him spring of
deep interest and unfaiing concern
/ have told yOu all this in preface OF my
story, Sissy, that YOU might better uader-
stand NE Aunt Mary has never been mar
Iied she has never been quite like other
young girls PeoDle speak of Der as they did
OF her dPsr pa; she IL eccentric. some say-a
blue stocking. She has never been in love
except With that loving white head now gone
10 rest j think now you will know why
Yet she has a story-a little romance re-
collection which has something sweet ia il
Sill-a souvenir Oy which you Will learn
that ''maideniy aunts" are not altogether
out of the circle of human nature.
i only mentioned the upper class OF our
parishiODers. among whom you may gather
/ did not find much c0ngenial company In
addition there we're several wealthy farmers
and propTie tors very little beneath US in
worldly position. Father and l often made
the parocbial visits together, aud, indeed, to
one OF these latter / frequently went alone.
One of the aughteTs-unusUally bright aud
intelligent-was a special favorite OF mine.
and during her last illness / spent many
hours endeavOring to relieve the long hours
of pain in reading and other simple atten-
tons. In that way / grew very much en-
cleared to the family; the master would steal
into the chamber while [ read, and wipe
away the quick tears with an evasive hand
the mother overwhelmed me with blessings.
and the son was only too glad if the evening
was late enough to couDtensuce the necessity
OF escortiDg me. Twas with this son that
auDtie's episode occurred.
Little by little l unbent myself to this