Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1889-03-16
A MYSTERIOUS ROBBER.
Why Aunt Cindy Spent the 18th Of
March Away From Home.

"Oh, dear" walled Aunt Lucinda.
wringing her small wriukled hand,
pathetically; ito think that we shall
be obliged to spend the night in thf,
house She walked over to the
window and looked out at the storm
that was raging without. Sharp. cut
ting snow, that was almost hail, came
tearing down from the dull, low-haag-
ing sky, and, caught in the grasp of
the strong west wind, was driven past
Ike a gigantic army Of soldiers. tail
and straight, marchingo on with regular
tread, their faces among the clouds.
There we're occasional da,he, Of rain.
Just enough to have made q tramp
abroad on such Il night "a NOS, di-.
agreeable undertaking.
There was a CHEEKY fire in the vide
mouthed, oid-fashioneG fireplace.
antique furniture occupied yariou,
places and positions about the room.
some old picture, adorned the walls,
and the door leading to the next room
standing ajar, revealed the fact tina,
a pleasant and comfortable sleeping
apartment wa. just beyond. A, the
house was Il large, ancient structure.
and not at all r%uinou., it j. presumsble
that there We're other comfortable
chambers, not visible from the room
where u little group were congrc-
gated.
There were four persons besides the
nervous little lady already mentioned:
three merry, glad-hearted girl.. and
one tall, ~fue-looking young man.
81 think you are unreasonable Aunt
Cindy,' said Dora Weston. who wa.
holding d -kein Of bright-colorcd warn
for her sister Alice to wind. II think
this is the loycliest old place imagin-
able, and l am delighted when an in
vItation from your dear, charming
SELF calls me here. Ralph just dotes
on the place; don't You, Ralph?r
The young gentleman appealed to
smiled across at his ~yiyaclous sis
ter and answered in the afirma.
iirmatiye, without having understood
her remark He was holding a serj.
ously important conversation with
Aunt Lucinda companion. a quiet
girl with large, soft eyes, and they
were standing in n Of the deep win
Gow-, far removed from the rest. He
Wa just saying:
"a know that you are content with
your situation, Leila, but | do not
mink you would be unhappy with the
one ! have to offer Then. more {
seriously; % Leila, forge, your
scruples, and be my vile now. You {
have said that you love me" {
She laid one fair, shapely hand on
his arm, and lifted her earnest Young I
face, all a-quiv.r with tenderness. 10 I
biz As she replied:
believe me, Ralph, / am fully con.
WINGED that il is best for us to wait a t
year or two until you have established l
good practice"
- did not know you were so mer. h
2enary; thought you loved me for c
myself" he laid, a trife irritablv: and n
while he had no intention Of permit 0
ting his light words to sound a. if they
we're seriously meant, still there was a
undertone Of ~displeasure he failed ;
disguise.
a grieyed look swept across her h
ace.
81 think it is best she replied. s.
oberly, land believe me, Ralph, | am a
'nly thinking Of you in my decision. !;
J GU have neve known want, and Won C
IAN not anticipate correctly all Of its "
and stings. You do not know il
tedious will be the hill you must y
limb unaided. Your fathers recent Fl
allure makes it necessary for you to
your shoulder to the wheel and j
arm the bread you eat. know what i
MS means, you do not; and | feel that a
can better help you by remaining s.
liss Lucinda's companion for another a
ear She pays me a good salary, and II
ny tastes are not ~extravagant." e
But fathers failure did not come Ia
ntil had graduated urged the
Dung man. with a good medical al
iplona, a young man ought to make a
comfortable living for two l.
'He ought; but, Ralph dear, he is "
OF certain Of it until he has tried, and m
here arc many things. Office fixtures,
tc., needed in the start. that will HI
AXE all Of your ready cash. There h
'ould be nothing left TO commence di
ousekeeping with. and | should q
frantic ut the expense OF OF
while you were struggling
0ong 10 get a start. Please, DEAR" v,
it'll a pretty appealing gesture. do a.
ot urge me. ! really think it is best 70
r me 10 stay with Miss Lucinda for
year" III
IF ] owned a home. and had IL 10
finished. you would come now he
id. moodiiy. DC
II that were the case ] should IN
that ] could save for you more an
my Keen wouIid eaaf y she ranliad h.,