Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-23
Tales aud Sketthes.
MINNIE D4RrFeRB.


slightly, and she thought within herself
how little of the sympathetic element ex-
listed between old maid aunts aud IL year
old nieces, and wondered If there ever had
been time when Aunt Sylvia. too, was
young with the fresh electric current of
love stirring in her pulses
Minnie hartford was hazel eyed. rosy
checked little witch, with perfectly arched
eyebrows, and mouth as fresh as the
| freshest rosebud in all the garden bowers.
and her white dress, shining family
through the summer twilight, seemed to
float around her like cloud, as she sat
there watching the stars that glimmered
| indistinctly through the purple deeps of
the sky. and thinking how very unreason-
able Aunt Sylvia was.
No." said the elder lady, jerking her
/ knitting needle into its sheath with an EN-
phasis, Il do not fancy Herbert Arun-
/ del"
He is our guest, Aunt Sylvia"
! You are mistaken there, Minnie. He
came here unlimited, with your brother
/ friend. Mr.. Lee
But now that he is here, Aunt. we
must treat him with courtesy"
1--we no objection in life to treating
/ him with courtesy, child; but I've sort
of an idea that he would like you to treat
/ him with something warmer and more en-.
I thnsiasiic,"
How thankful Minnie hartford was al
that moment to the friendly dusk which
yelled the crimson bushes that suffused
I brow and cheek at Aunt Sylvia's cleverly.
aimed random shot.
/ Had il then come to that? Was she
/ indeed, learning to love Herbert Arun
/ del? And thrill OF strange, inexpressi,
/ bic happiness eddied through her heart
as she in her most consciousness an
| swered:
| Yes"
Alas poor Clarence Lee! The patien,
years of devotion. during which he had
waited for the rosebud OF Minnie Dartford's
beauty to expand into the perfect blossom
of womanhood-th loyal love, the unfal
tering constancy - how lightly they
weighed in the balance against this stran-
gers easy address and dashing fascination
of manner. The way of the world-un-
alterable. yet how strange!
Aunt Sylvia listened tor an answer, but
none came. Minnie hardly knew what re-
ply it would be best to frame.
IL think, Minnie said the old lady, af.
ter n moment or two of silence, ''that il
would be better for you to accept Antonio
Willis invitation to spend the month OF
September at her home. 1t will at leas,
separate you from the companionship OF
this Young man, and"
'But don't want to be separated from
him, Aunt Sylvia"
Minnie spoke with spirit and energy
and the color deepened visibly on hel
cheek.
"Mnnie!"
Aunt Sylvan
HAS it gone so far as thse"
II don't know what you mean by it, y
responded the girl, biting her lips; ''bu
do know, Aunt Sylvia. that | shall no
run away from Mr.. Arundel as it feared
some strange conagion in his presence
This is my home. and here shall remain
to entertain my brothers guests as best
may"
retrospective of consequences"
Yes, entirely irrespective of conse
quences."
Aunt Sylvia demonstrated no further
she saw quite plainly that it would be OF
no use. Minnie, like many another spoiled
child and petted beauty, was determined
to have her own way.
Aunt Sylvia was no logican; neither
did she pretend to the magical powers o
vision belonging to the seventh daughter
of the seventh daughter" but she knew
quite enough of human nature in its va
rious manifestations to be sure that Her
bert Arundel was unworthy to wear /;
jewel like Minnie Daniorth's love upol
his heart.
IAN empty, feather Drained fool, will
no more heart than stone imagen' wa
Aunt Sylvia's Inward verdict. Nor was i
, altogether incorrect.
Meanwhile. Minnie with her thoughts
and fancies drifting sweetlv away upol
the fathomless sea of young girls rev
erie. sat at the window, still thinking o
one personage-IIerbert Arundel
Aunt Sylvia is toolishly prejudiced,
she thought. "He is as true and nobl,
As he is handsome, and none but the carp
ing and envious could pick a flaw in hi
character or demeanor. As if | would q,
to Antonio Willis and leave him here
How graceful he looked on the 'croque
ground yesterday-and how well h
rides | wonder if | shall ever see Mag
nola Dell. that sunny home of his whicl
he describes SO elOquently | don't thinl
II is altogether impossible, for | think
yes, am quite sure-he loves mel Hi:
lips have never spoken words to that eff
feet, but there is language of eye an,
manner, and"
Mlnnie's mind was absorbed in thes,
tancies. when knock came at the door
and the old housekeeper put her head in
to the room. II t1S I.t.o
Miss Minnie. the sheets are ready tol
the linen closet"
The sheets" Minnie shrugged hel
shoulders little impatiently. 'Why
couldn't old Peggy have waitedP Very
well, Peggy, III see to that, presently"
But they ought to be put away now
MISS" persisted the obdurate old servant
live strewed sprigs of lavender anC
dried rose leaves between all the folds
and if you'd please put them on the
shelves now"
Minnie rose with a scarcely suppressed
sigh She knew Peggy too well to hope
tor any peace until her behests were
fulfilled.
The heap of snowy linen lay on the hal
table white and fragrant through the toll
of Peggy's skilled digits, and taking q
pile on her arm. Minnie hartford went to
the linen closet. small room opening
out on that allotted to the present occupa-
ton of Clarence Lee and Mr.. Herbert Ar.
undei
Che rlapcad ,iu;SIv in haforo che a,