The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-01-15
MY AUNT'S MISTAKE.

am young, and some say am pref
ty. The first is a self-evident fact, but
everybody does not agree about the
latter. Aunt Lena, for instance, can
find nothing attractive in my small
face and big blue eyes, which she says
are out of all proportion.
She is papa's sister, and almost young
enough to be his daughter. There can
be no question as TO her good looks;
everybody agrees that she is magnifi-
Gently handsome woman.
Her eyes are large and dark, and her
eyebrows and cyclashcs simply perfect.
Those eyes would make Il plain face
charming, am sure. Yes. my aunt
has the advantage of me in personal ap-
pearance, and am ready 10 acknowl-
edge the fact cheerfully.
We are giving a dance this evening,
and auntie. of course, will put me com
plctely in the shade. But if | make IL
few conquests she will be as Jealous as
if l could rival her in beauty. She
thinks | ought to be still in the school
room, but, fortunately for me, my
father and mother are not of this opin-
ion.
She is looking superbly handsome in
her silken draperies, and 1 gaze at her
with involuntary admiration.
As | glance at her | become vaguely
conscious that my father is plotting a
stranger through the crowded rooms.
1t is sm~ll affair, but our rooms
are not large.
have Just dismissed my first part
ner, but aunt is still talking to hers,
which is the reason, perhaps. that, af-
ter being introduced, the new conner
asks me to give him the next dance.
Godfrey Thornton is very pleasant,
and dances exqnisitely. He is rather
pale and thin, but 1 like his face so
much.
He is ages older than l. dare say;
but, in my own mind, l admit that he
is none the worse for that.
Aunt looks at us curiously. / believe
she thinks MIR. Thornton is paying me
too much attention. He cannot read
the expression of her large, sleepy,
eyes; bat l can, and | know she is won
dering what Il man of intellect can find
to say to that little chit!
Your aunt is very handsome" he
says abruptly.
'Indeed she is" l answer with a
smile; but-shall l confess it?-for the
first time in my life feel little bit ell
vious OF my aunt's beauty.
And yet, although he dance; with her
later in the evening, he shares his at
tentiOns so equally that my aunt cam
not boast of having made a conquest.
He has been very nice, but nothing in
his manner has betrayed the fact that
he prefers Aunt Lena to me, as he must,
OF course.
can scarcely sleep that night; my
mind is in such tumult. He pressed
my hand at parting, but he had been
very cordial TO my aunt, l remember,
with foolish thrill, that cannot surely
be jealousy.
am glad when morning comes, and
after breakfast take up a shabby sun
burnt hat and 90 into the garden. My
aunt would not be seen in such a hat
for the world. and gives me a glance
of great disapproval as l go out of the
room.
You will be sorry some day for let
ting that girl fritter her time away as
she does I.heard her say. ''Her fool
ish head was quite turned by the atten-
ton she received last night"
cannot distinguish what my mother
says in return; but fancy | hear her
gentle deprecating voice making ex-
cuses for me, papa siding with his wife,
as he always does, an turning Aunt
Lena's remarks to ridicule.
He is fond of his sister, but equally
fond of his little girl. If it were not
so, and nv aunt Lena had the upper
hand. my life would be anything but a
bed of roses.
There is an old apple-tree in the gar
den. and | sit down under it and lose
my eyes in delightful solitude. A few
moments later open them and spring
up in confusion, for some instinct tells
me l am no longer alone.
Mr.. Godfrey Thornton is looking at
me with an expression of amusement
in his face.
Good morning, Lena" he says,
taking off his hat and revealing his
nobly shaped head, which l cannot
help admiring, in spite of my annoy
ance.
Good morning." l answer rather
shortly; ''aunt is indoors"
Thank you for the information, he
returns with smile. 'Why is she not
in the garden on such a hot morning?"
Because she prefers to remain in
the house." say.
Il am sorry to hear it" he tells me.
'.Does she not love this pretty, old
fashioned garden-or i, it that she has
something else to occupy her time?" he
adds with laugh, and sly glances at
my idle hands.
.'She might bring her work out here
if she liked l say; ''but aunt does
not care much for this old-fashioned
garden.
You do, though" lie says, throwing
him eli down Oh the grass.
Yes. | do. indeed" 1 answer read
lily; for it is ways full of simple flow
ers all the year round, and l like flow
ers better than anything else in the
world. 1t does not matter what they
are-crocuses, primroses, wallhowers.
roses, daffodils, geraniums-l love them
all. Look at the roses now," pc nting
to the masses of green lea, es and sweet
fragrant blossoms. Gould anything
be more beautiful?"
Il don't know" returned nv visi-
tor, looking at me with smile; 'that
Is matter of opinion. Your aunt, fol
instance, is better worth looking at
than those roses, even"
why don't you go indoors and tell
her so?'' l cry rather pettishly II am
sure she will be pleased to hear YOU
say so, though she knows it so we'll -
''Wen. think FL take your advice
he says, rising from his Eeeumhent po.