News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-04-02
The Two AuntS.

Him HIM! Upon my word Just
what might have been expectedl Sci.
fish Heartless Cruel y
Not all at once, as written down, but
popping out at brief intervals, sharply
and suddenly as pistol shots, the above
calculations fell from the lips Of Mrs.
Carpenter Wainwright, as she sat beside
an open-grate fire, reading a letter. A
lengthy letter, too, closely written upon
; four large pages of paper. After she
folded it, she said more sharply than
ever;
"Well, thank goodness her mother is
no relation of mine -
There fell profound silence upon the
room after this last remark. Evidently
the news, whatever it was, about
the woman who was no relation of hers,
touched Mrs. Wainwright deeply. Her
brow. was clouded, and, as she mused,
angry flashes sprang more than once
into her large, dark eyes. Upon all
sides OF her were evidences of wealth,
and her own dress, though morning
neglgee, was costly and in exquisite
taste. She was not young-past sew
enty-yet she carried her tall figure
erectIy still, and her eyes were brilliant
as those of youth.
While she sat in profound thought
there was tap upon the door, followed
by the entrance of young girl, just
touching eighteen, with a fair, sweet
face. lighted by eyes as dark as Mrs.
Wainwright's own.
''Aunt Cora" she said, brightly.
''shall I read to you now?"
The old lady looked into the sweet
face with keen glance, as if question.
ing herself somewhat about the girl;
then she said, abruptly:
81 have had letter from Mrs. Pope,
this morning."
"With news from Mill Village ?" the
girl asked, look of pleasure on her
face.
"You are very fond of Mill Village ?"
"No; I like the city much better
Still, there are some people in Mill
Village 1 am fond Of"
''Theoda West ?"
The girl hesitated; then, lifting her
bright eyes, she said, frankly:
81 love Aunt Mary, but don't think
that 1 am very fond of Theoda. She is
very handsome, very accomplished, and
too fond of patronizing me"
"Ahl"
'You see, she has been pupil teacher
at the seminary, and learned all the ex-
ira branches to teach again"
"While you were making dresses ?"
eyes. Aunt Mary let me choose, and
I knew 1 could make living at dress
making, while scholars were doubtful,
SO near the seminary"
"Your Aunt Mary was very kind to
you?"
"Veryl She took me when poor
mamma died, ten years ago. She could
not give me luxury and pleasure as you
have done in the last year, but she never
made any difference between Theoda
and myself"
Him F! yes. She is your mothers
sister, I am your fathers. She gave
you share in the house of care and
poverty. I have taken you to this one,
and will not forget you in my will"
The girls face flushed under the sar-
castle emphasis of the words.
81 never weighed one obligation
against the other, Aunt Cora" she said,
quietly; "you have been very, very kind
to me-"
"Your Aunt Mary is an invalid, too ?"
'She is in consumption. We have
feared every winter would be the last"
Him Well, my news is that your
loving cousin, Theoda, has eloped with
the German teacher of the seminary who
mas taken situation in Philadelphia.
The fair face grew deathly pale, and
an expression of positive horror looked
out from the soft, dark eyes. There
was pause of silence that was painful
Then Estelle Mason spoke in choked
voice:
81 must go to Aunt Mary"
"Go to her Nonsense, child. What
claim has she on you ?"
"The claim of gratitude"
''But what can you do? You have no
ST can work"
'Have no claim p
"OnIy second to hers. You have been
very good to me. But you have so
many relatives that would be glad to
come and fill my place. You are strong
and well, with money for every comfort.
She is feeble, sick and poor. Oh, how
could Theoda desert her ? How could
she?"
'Do you know who this German
teacher, James Kent, is p
"No."
HE is my husbands nephew. Not
mine; but all my wealth came from nv
husband, and James Kent, knowing me
% be just woman, expects handsome
egacy when l die. Probably when he
old Theoda he would be rich man
some day, he did not tell the name of
the aunt who had the money to leave"
II never saw him. He came to the
seminary after came here"
tExantIu ua J;auIooz1I