The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-08-23
AUNT ABBIE'S BROOCH.
BY FLORENCE B. HAL1owE1L.

down the floor. A very disconnected
look was on her pretty face.
''Well, | won't lend it, so Won needn't
ask me again, said Miss Abbie. who
was carefully and conscientionsly darning
a small hoae in d pair of old black cotton
gloves. "The young people of the present
day are beyond my comprehension. The
idea of your wanting to flaunt around in
. public place in anything so sacred as
that broochin
81 wouldn't faunt it. I'd simply pin
my collar with it, and it's Just what l
need. Really, Aunt Abbie, l can't get
along without it"
you'll have to, 'rejoined Miss Abbie,
grimly, ''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 1 let YOU
have it, 1 shouldn't know a minutes
peace all the time you were gone. You'd
be sure to lose it. Z"
''If you thought I wouldn't lose it,
would you lend it to me, AuntAbbie?"
perhaps so; but as you are no doubt
sware, Rebecca, you are careless to the
last degree. I've always regretted nv
folly in letting you take that lace
handker-m
so Aunt Abbie," interrupted Becky.
impatiently, ''that was five years agol /
was only child then. You ought not
to bring that up now. promise I won't
lose the brooch"
'sYou are quite safe in promising; you
won't have q chance to lose it" said
Miss Abbie, with 3 little laugh that
irritated Becky. II could replace the
handkerchief, but never the brooch
Becky gave long sigh, 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 AMY
was making cake.
There's an expression on YOUR face
that tells me that you and Aunt Abbie |
have been talking brooch again" said
Amy as her sister came and stood beside |
her. "What is the use of it, Becky?
You know she never changes her mind |
about anything"
81 know it this was last attempt. -
answered Becky, diseonsolately. ..But |
how am to fasten that lace collar in
''You'll have to use . common pin. 1t
wouldn't do to put on anything modern, y
said Amy, measuring cup of white
sugar.
l.Aunt Abbie has a heart of stonero
cried Becky. As If could lose the old
brooch %
.'Weil, Becky, you know you are
rather careless you must admit that. -
said Amy, very gently. 'sAunt Abbie
can't forget that you lost her best lace
handkerchief five years ago"
''Oh, I'm sick of hearing about my
earelessness and that wretched lace hand
kerchiefl" and Becky drdpped into a
chasr. Il wish had never consented
TO go into tliis concert. It has been all
worry from the very beginning"
They couldn't get along without YOU.
Becky you know that. And your cos
tune win be the prettiest there. That
old brocade would stand alone"
Bat Becky only sighed again, and her
eountenanee did not tighten. She felt
that nothing could comfort her now.
She had taken the most intense in
terest in the Old Folks Concert, and
had been as gay as lark over the
fashioning Of the dress she was to wear,
until, in an unfortunate moment, she had
remembered Aunt Abbie's brooch, and
had asked TO borrow it.
Mss Abbie had refused point blank
even to consider the request; but Becky
was 4 girl who, when she set her heart on
q thing, could not endure disappoint-
Deut, and she had argued and pleaded
with Miss Abbie until the old lady was
out Of patience.
Tie concert WAS to take place on Thurs
day night, and Becky hoped against con
ylciion that her aunt would relent; but
the old lady was obdurate to the last.
Miss Abbie had intended to 90 to the
concert, but while Becky was dressing.
she put her head in at the door to say (
that she had been sent for to sit up with {
Ms. Mills, friend who had been i'll for
a long time. K
50 / shall not be able to hear you
sing, Becky, she added. siand can t even S
stay row TO see how You'll look in that bro &
eade dress. You ought to have let me i
see you try-ft ON
''Ill putt on for you tomorrow, aunt {
Abbie, said BecSie, who was engaged in ]
Powdering her dusky head very literally. 7
.'And-and won't you let me have that
brcochin S
g Yes, when I'm ready to say goodbye S
70 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.
Il wish hadn't asked her again ~ she
thought. ~ wish I'd never seen the t
hateful broochi"
When she was all dressed, she was
obliged TO acknowledge to herself that q
she looked very well indeed. The old c
fashioned gown was very becoming, and '
the delicate lace Of the wide collar soft a
ened her complexion. IF she only had the
brooch to fasten it, S
'I'n see how it looks on me anyway. c
Aunt Abbie couldn't object TO my trying 5
It on" she thought She threw her q
cloak aud nubia over her arm, and crossed
the hall 10 her aunt's room, which was S
Just opposite her own.
Miss Abigail never locked her bureau a
drawers, and in the upper one was the n
small faded velvet case containing the c
brooch. It was a very handsome piece Of !
jewelry. Pearls and small diamonds sur l
rounded the Anticipated picture of Becl1y's c
great-grandfather, and the gold rim was a
hezyily chased. Becky lost no time in a
pinEing this ancient heirloom to her col d
ar, and then gazed at herself in the glass a
with much conplaeency. How the dia- c
nouda sps-kledi Tbs brooch seemed % f