The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-06-20

The noise of wheels was heard in the
street, it being the stage coach with its
load of passengers just returned from
the railroad station, and the vehicle
paused before the gate of a rather pre-
tentious house on the main street of the
village.
Mrs. Graves looked out of the win
dow, and an expression of dismay crept
over her face.
Il DECLARE she exclaimed, 'if it isn't
Aunt Jane come to make us visit!'
'Oh, DEAR chimed in Arabella, a
young lady of IS years, what pity.
lust as we are going to have party,
too. Couldn't we tell her it is incon-
venient for us to have her, and send her
to Uncle Merriam's2'
mo, Arabella, that would never do.
You must consider that your Aunt Jane
has twenty thousand dollars which she
can dispose of as she pleases.'
She had no time to say more, for the
bell rang.
Mrs. Graves went to the door her
self. By the time she had opened it
her face was compressed into an ex-
preston of joy.
'Why, Aunt Jane, how do you do?
What a pleasant surprise. Arabella
and 7 were speaking of you only this
morning
'Wait minute, Eleanor said the
old lady, and, fumbling in her pocket,
she produced an ear-trumpet which
she adjusted to her ear.
There she said, now we can talk.
Il had no idea you were deaf, said
Mrs. Graves through the trumpet.
age has its infrmities,' said Aunt
lane. 'How is Arabella?'
very we'll, thank you. Here she is
to speak for herself.
Mrs. Graves turned toward her
daughter and spoke in her natural
voice.
'Aunt Jane is as deaf as an adder,
she remarked. 'You see she has to use
an ear trumpet
I'm glad of it., said Arabella; 'for
now we can just say what we please,
without her overhearing us. Is she
going to stay very long?'
Il don't know, I'll ask her, and,
turning to the aunt she said, with hel
mouth in the ear-trumpet, q here yor
are going to favor us with long visit.
Il can't spare you but a month,
said Aunt Jane; that is if it is entire
ly convenient for you to have me with
you so long as that
I'VE shall be delighted said Mrs
Graves, finishing the sentence for hel
daughters benefit, 'to have you 60
That's the truth, isn't it Belle P
'How shall we ever live through the
month"; asked Arabella, dismally, with
out venturing to express the feeling or
her countenance.
| A peculiar expression fitted over the
old lady's face, but this was not observ'
ed by mother or daughter.
Three days passed. The old lady
had become quite domesticated at the
house of her niece.
1t happened that Arabella had 8
beau, young man of very much the
same calibre as herself, who was en-
ployed as clerk in one of the village
stores. He called one evening wher
Aunt Jane had INDUCED herself in sit
ting up little later than usual.
| Il suppose 1 must introduce you tc
my aunt, said Arabella. 'She will no
be in our way, for she is as deaf as g
post. Aunt Jane,' she said, through
the ear trumpet, this is Mr.. Storrs.'
4 am glad to see him. said Aun
Jane, extending her hand.
There, we needn't say anything
more to her. said Belle, cordially. 9
believe you never saw her before.
NO. said he.
'Ain't she beauty laughed Belle.
tAre you not afraid she will hear?'
ooh, no, she is entirely dependen
upon her trumpet
That's lucky for us. If she coule
hear she might not be gratified by wha
she heard. Ha, ha laughed Storrs.
1T is a great trial to us to have he
here, but you know when one has
rich aunt she cannot be very well pu
off.
$50 your aunt is rich, said the young
man, with increased interest.
'Yes, she is worth twenty thousand
dollars
THAT is a large sum- said Storrs
thinking how large portion woult
likely fall to Belle, whom he alread.
looked upon as his own.
'Yes, it is worth some sacrifice; 81
we tolerate the old lady, in spite of he
fumpy dress and odd ways
Il was going to observe, said Storrs
banteringly, what strong resemblanc
there is between you and your aunt
Take that for your impertinence
sir said the young lady, playfully tap
: ping him with her fan. 4 must b