Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-12-27
AUNT GRELL.
The Story Of One New Year in
Her Life.

Twelve years, murmured Aunt Gren
as she gazed thoughtfully out through
the misty pane at the falling drizzle tina
was rapidly changing into snow. 50.
don't know, L never knew exactly how
it happened, bnt we were having gooC
time at the New Years party unde
Farmer Holmes roof, and-but WHY
should | think of that time now? Twelve
years ought to heal the old wound, an(
it does. I've enough on my hands
enough to rack my brain without be
coming sentimental"
With sigh Aunt Grell came to hel
feet, crossed the plain rag carpet, anC
stood at another window. Past this the
road ran, and beyond was a mass OF
trees and bushes of recent growth, the
whole rapidly becoming crowned with
white particles that fell faster and fast
er, as the cold north wind CONCEALED the
drops of rain.
1t was not pleasant scene. The sui
len woods and long sweep of country
road, unrelieved by farm buildings, gave
the scene lonely aspect.
The Weeds were poor people. An ep-
idemic of scarlet fever had passed
through the neighborhood. Many of
the first families had lost their little ones,
and Aunt Grell had been like a minis
tering angel among them. When the
fever fell upon the Weeds no one ven
tured near save the country doctor. Mrs.
| Weed was an invalid, and her husband
an indifferent nurse, clumsy, yet good
natured and willing.
When she learned of the situation
| Geraldine Ward went at once and offer
| ed her services. She was kind, patient
and capable, and none in that country
neighborhood appreciated her tender re-
gard for the suffering as did the Weeds.
John and Madge passed through thefever
and were convalescing when the dawn
of New Years day found Aunt Grell,
as Miss Geraldine Ward was termed,
musing in her room at the Weed farm
house over the past.
This was a solemn, sad New Year to
the patient old maid of BurktOWn Cor
ners. While she stood at the window,
the snow swirred about, and sifted
against the narrow panes in way that
indicated sudden increase of cold in
the atmosphere without.
The brown eyes were filed with a
yearning that remained unspoken even
to the dumb walls of the room. The face
of this good angel of the Corners was
not beautiful, not even good looking
one might say at first glance, but were
you to mention her name to citizen
within ten miles of Burktown Corners,
you would be told that Aunt Gre1 was
the handsomest woman in the world.
Miss Ward did not linger, but hurried
into the next apartment, where she
heard low voice calling her name. 1t
was Mrs. Weed, who reclined in an easy
chair, pale and worn, yet with CRATE
full glow in her hollow eyes.
Il am sorry we cannot pay you for
your services, Miss Ward" said the in
valid. "Madge and Johnnie are beyond
danger, the doctor tells me, and we owe
it all to you"
Tears filled the mothers eyes at the
last. Geraldine stood calmly by her
side and Smoothed her faded hair with
tender touch.
81 am glad if have been of service,
Mrs Weed" returned she. 'Of course,
it is best for me to 60 now, but L shall
always hold kind regard for you and
the children, that has grown in my heart
during my two weeks stay with you"
Then Aunt Grell left the room. The
crunch of wheels on the frozen ground
reminded her that Mr.. Weed was with
out, and would convey her to the Cor
ners. kissing the invalid, and going
once more to the children, Aunt Grell
made ready to depart.
Don't go, aunty, don't CO." sobbed
little Madge, who was only four, and as
sweet child as the kind old maid had
ever held to her yearning heart. That
appeal, and the pitiful, pleading, up
turned face, brought the tears to Aunt
Grel's eyes.
81 must go now; but will come back
again" said she.
Today" queried Johnnie, boy of
eight, who clung to Aunt Grell's skirts
and looked up with bright eyes into her
face.
'Not to-day, dear, but soon."
"But mamma says it's New Years, |
Aunt Grell, and-and when we was
so sick jest Christmas, she said when
New Years come we'd get some pres
ents-me'n Madge. Mamma says the
doctors to pay, and we can't get 'em.
l thought"
THAT might bring you something's"
cried Aunt Grell, quickly. "And will,
my dear children. Before bedtime to-
night look for something, and now good
bye"
Both children she kissed again, and
then hurried from the room and the |
house. Mr. Weed assisted her to a seat |
in the old buggy, and soon the two rat
tied away, two pairs of bright eyes
watching the departure, while two noses
were flattened against the cold window
pane.
"She's gone, aunty's gone, sighed lit
tie Madge, dolefully, and when the fall |
ing snow hid the travellers, Johnnie ut
tered a prolonged whistle to keep down
his feelings, and walked away to see his
mother. He longed to go out and try
the snow, but this was strictly forbidden
for the present, and the boy must needs
hide his troubles under an air of indif-
ference, which he did by whistling and
his feet loudly on the floor as
he walked.