The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-07-24

When my parents died, l was lad
of twelve years only, and my whole
fortune lay in my robust health and
an average supply Of brains. But l
was ambitious and willing to work,
and entered a large dry goods store
as errand boy, gradually working
my way to clerkship, where was
when my uncle died and left me in
dependent But in the years of
poverty and toll, Marian, my fathers
brother gave me no aid from his full
purse, and / inherit his fortune only
because he died without a will, and
I his nearest relative, his only broth
er's only child. 1t was from my
mothers sister, widow poor as my
self, that my boyhood had loving
care and tenderness. My aunt
Clara, d widow with one child, sup
ported herself by sewing, but she
gave me room in her tiny house,
shared her scanty food with me,
taught me after was obliged to
leave school, and gave me as tender
case as shegave gave her own daugh-
ter Minnie.
81 repaid her love by my own sim
cere affection, and, as I grew older,
tried to fill a sons place to her, a
brothers to Minnie. We were hap
py in spite of our poverty, until a
year ago, when a terrible misfortune
fell upon us. My aunt's little house
all she could call her own in the
world, caught fire, and was totally
destroyed with everything it con-
tanned. Worst of all, Aunt Clara
herself, in trying to save some of her
clothing, was horribly burned about
the neck, arms and face. For sew
eral months she lay in the hospital,
suffering tortures, but she recovered
at last, most dreadfully disfgured
for life.
"We were all boarding in New
York when the news of my uncles
death reached me, and l came to
Keyport. It took me some weeks
to prove my claims, to take posses
sion of MY inheritance, but as
my hands were free l was anxious
to have my aunt share my prosperi-
ty. l wrote to her, urging her by
every loving word at my command
to share my home, telling her of
your gentleness, Marian, and my
hope of winning your love for her
as well as my own. She answered
me, refusing my offer Her terrible
misfortune has made her morbidly
anxious to avoid strangers, and in
my home she was sure to meet them.
eff, she wrote, you could give
me tiny cottage, where l could
hear the sea, and get the pure air,
without meeting strangers, l would
come, but not to your grand house,
Frank
"Upon this hint I acted. l had
such cottage of my own, and it
was empty. I sent to New York for
paperers, upholsters and painters,
and had the house made as pretty
as possible. Then I coaxed again,
and this time more successfully, for
aunt Clara and Minnie, with old
Hannah, their servant came to take
possession.
'Since they have been here l have
tried to alleviate aunt Clara's suffer-
ing by every means in my power.
She is fond of music, and Minnie
has a fine piano to touch for her.
She loves books and flowers, and 1
send them to her daily. But not
until to-day have l been able to
overcome her morbid desire for Sc
seclusion, so far as to obtain leave
to bring you to call. Only this
morning pleaded in vain, but this
afternoon she sent me a little note
asking me to bring you to see her.
"Will you go, Marian. You will
see face that will shock you by its
dreadful scars, but you will find a
heart of pure gold under the fright
mask. And will you be sister to
Minnie for my sake? She lisa dear,
good girl, Marian, and you will soon
love her, l am sure"
81 shall be glad to go with you,
Frank, and we must try to have
your aunt receiveHester, too No
body is so tender to an invalid as
Hester, and we can coax minnie out,
when my sister is at the cottage.
Oh, Frank and the brown eyes
grew misty with tears, 81 am So
sorry for your aunt. It must be ter
rible p
at is terrible. She was a very
handsome woman before the fire, 4
motured likeness of Minnie, and
Minnie is beautiful
$50 heard" said Marian.
"Have you seen her ? She doe;
not go out yet, but is in the garder