Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-08-02
AUNT ABBIE'S BROOCH
Dy FLORENCE L. nALLowELL.

brooch, Aunt Abbie. 1t is just what
need to complete my costume"
Becky Alger turned from the window
where she had been standing for the last
half hour, and began to walk ND and
down the floor. A very disconnected
look was on her pretty face.
"Well, won't lend it, so you needn't
ask me again." said Miss Abbic, who
was carefully and conscicntionslyd arning
u small hole i'll Il pair of old black cotton
gloves. "rhc young people of tic present
day are beyond my comprehension. The
idea of your wanting to faunt around in
public place in anything so sacred rs
that brooch!"
81 wouldn't flaunt it. I'd simply pin
my collar with it, and it's just what l
need. Really, Aunt Abbic, 1 can't get
along without it"
"You'll have TO, rcioincd Miss Abbic,
Srimly, 'for I've no intention of lending
it to you, no matter how much you talk.
Why, l don't wear that brooch myself,
except on rare occasions. If | let you
have it, / shouldn't know Il minutes
peace all the time you were gone You'd
be sure to lose it"
''If you thought wouldn't lose it,
would you lend II 10 nc. .unt AbbicG'
"Perhaps so; but as you are no doubt
aware, Rebecca, you are careless to the
last degree. I've always regretted my
folly i'll letting you take that lace
handlier-'
go Aunt Abbic," Interrupted Becky,
impatiently, ''that WAS live years ago! l
was only Il child then. You ought not
to bring that up now. promise l won't
lose the BROOCH
"lou are quite safe in promising; you
won't have Il chance 10 lose il" said
Miss Abbic, with Il little laugh that
irrirated Becky. 81 could replace the
handkerchief, but never the brooch"
Becky gave long sign, gathered up
her sewing materials, which were
scattered on every chair and table in the
room, and went out She was going up-
stairs, but changed her mind, and went
into the Kitchen. where her sister ANY
WAS making cake.
"Therc's IN expression on your face
that tells me that you and Aunt Abbic
have been talking brooch again" said
Amy, as hcr sister came and stood beside
her "What is the use of it, Becky?
You know she never changes her mind
about anything"
az know it; this was last attempt"
answered Becky, disconsolatcly. "But
how am / 10 fastcn that lace collar in
front?"
"You'll have to usca common pin. It
wouldn't do to put on anything modern, :"
said Amy, measuring cup OF white
sugar.
'Aunt Abhic has heart Of stonc!"
cried Becky. Gas if could lose the old
brooch!"
"Well, Becky, you know you arc
rather careless you must admit that, {"
said Amy, very gently. "Aunt Abbic
can't forget that you lost her best lace
handkerchief five years ago"
ooh, I'm sick of hearing about my
carelcssness and that wrctchcd lace hand
kerchiefl" and Becky dropped into
chair. 81 wish l had never consented
to go into this concert. 1t has been all
worry from the very beginning"
"They couldn't get along without YOU,
Becky; you know that. And your cos
tune will be the prettest there. That
old brocade would stand ;loae."
But Becky only sighed again, and her
countenancc did not tighten she felt
ihat nothing could comfort her now.
she had taken the most intense in
serest in the Old Folks Concert, and
had been rs gay as lark over the
fashioning of the dress she was to wear,
until, in an unfortunate moment, she had
remembered Aunt Abbic's brooch, and
had asked to borrow it.
Miss Abbic had refused point blank
even to consider the request; but Becky
was girl who, when she set her heart on
!, thing, could not endure disappoint-
ment, and she had argued and pleaded
with Miss Abbic until the old lady was
out of patience.
The concert was 10 take place on Thurs
day night, and Becky hoped against con
viction that her aunt would relent; but
the old lady was obdurate to the last.
Miss Abbie had intended to go to the
concert, but while Becky was dressing,
she put her head in at the door to saw
that she had been sent for to sit up with
Mrs. Mills, friend who had been i'll for
long time.
$50 shall not be able to hear YOU
sing, Becky" she added, sand 1 can't even
stay now to see how you'll look in that bro
cade dress. You ought to have let me
see. you try it on"
'sI'll put it on for you tomorrow, Aunt
Abbie," said Beckie, who was engaged in
powdering her dusky head very literally.
"And-and won't you let me have that
brooch7"
"Yes, when I'm ready to say good bye
to it forever" answered Miss Abbie.
"By that time you'll have learned to be
more careful of things" and she went
away on her neighborly GRAND.
Becky stamped her foot in vexation.
III wish hadn't asked her again % she
thought. 81 wish I'd never seen the
hateful broccoli"
When she was all dressed, she was
obliged to acknowledge to herself that
she looked very we'll indeed. The old
fashioned gown was very becoming, and
tho delicate lace of the wide collar soft
ened her complexion. If she only had the
brooch to fasten It'll
''I'll see how it looks on me ANYWAY.