The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-05-25

let an old prejudice stand in the way of my
dear nieces happiness. Suppose we say
first, Mr.. Holland"
You dear, good old auntyr' exclaimed
| Clare, springing to her aunt's side and al
most smothering her with kisses.
Aunt Jane smiled rather peculiar smile,
as she disengaged herself and Strengthened
her rumpled cap Then she went on:
There are your school friends, Tiny Pate
man and Lulu Grant, and We'll send for
Frank. Of course, by this time, he's gotten
over his sore feelings"
She said this looking keenly into Clare's
face, which had fallen somewhat at the
mention of Franks name.
| run off now, and write the notes. Ask
three more young ladies and gentlemen,
whoever you choose, and XII try and make
them enjoy themselves"
After Glare had gone, the old ladys face
still kept its peculiar smile, as she thought
1T may be foolish of me, putting her
right in his way. But no. know his stock
and | guess | run no risk
The gay company came.
Such lively times as they all had! Such
glorious moonlight sails on the lake, Such
picnics in the woods! Such magnificent tab
leauX! for which Aunt Jane brought out all
their great cedar chests.
Frank had come and Clare confessed to
herself that Aunt Jane was right. No one
would have picked him out for victim of
unrequited love as he laughed and TESTED
with piquant Tiny, who evidently looked
with favor upon her tall cavalier Clare
knew she ought to be pleased thatit was so;
but all unconsciously she missed the kindly
glances that had once been all for her, and
felt something which if it wasn't jealousy,
was akin to it, as she would sec his tall
form disappearing under the trees, with the
brilliant Tiny leaning confidingly on his arm.
All this time Aunt Jane was not idle, and
as she talked with Clarence Holland, and
drew him out, she saw that her former
Judgment of him had been correct. The
time was approaching when the pleasant
party were to separate, and one morning,
Aunt Jane and Lulu Grant and Mr. Holland,
were in the breakfast room, waiting for the
rest to make their appearance, when the
conversation turned upon wills, led that
way no one knew exactly how, except per-
haps Aunt Jane.
"Well," said Lulu Grant, II for one sha'n't
care If | never am rich, for then no one will
quarrel about my money after l am gone"
81 shall guard against that said Aunt
Jane, for in my will, l shall endow
worthy charity, which DR.. Morse has often
spoken to me about
Lulu looked up into the old lady's face, as
she spoke and her quick woman's wit
understood the quizzical expression she saw
there. Not so, however, Clarence Holland
He was very absent all through the meal,
and after breakfast went up to his room,
complaining that the heat had given him
headache. The next day he was gone, and
short note on Clare's bureau told the rea-
son. He had been called away on business,
he said, and, besides, he felt that it was so
palpablc that her love for him had gone,
that it was better he should go and leave
her free. 1t was an incoherent note; but
when Clare showed it to Aunt Jane, she
understood it.
''The mercenary wretch. l read him
right. 1t was what l said about my will
that has caused this. Thank your Heavenly
Father, my child, that your eyes have been
opened at last"
A bright color bathed Clars's face as she
exclaimed:
'Aunty, my eyes have been opened for
some time. | knew did not love him, but
l had given him my promise
The house seemed very lonely when they
had all gone; but the loneliness was good
for Glare. She grew 20 miss the familiar
form and voice she had been used to notice
SO little; and to wish that Frank would come
soon again.
Then came letter to Aunt Jane from the
far West:
my DEAR FRIEND: You will be surprised
when you receive this to know that am out on
the plains, fighting the Indians-that is ex-
pecting to; we lave had no encounter as yet I
wanted 10 come and bid you and Miss Clare
goodbye, but it was all so sudden. MY friend,
Major Hugh Fielding, commands the party, and
when volunteers were called for. L was the first
he asked, and was not sorry to CO. You have
known, my dear friend. of my love for your
niece. or course. all that is past; but, all the
same feel as II l am just as well here as any
where else. Nevertheless, wherever may be,
shall always remember you with the same az
fectionatc respect.
"Please give my regards to your niece
'Yours sincerely, FRANK AIMEs"
Aunt Jane burst into tears.
80! Clare; see what you have done!"
Clare read the letter in silence, and pal
Tor crept over her face as she awoke to
know what she had suspected for long
time was true, and that the love she had
once refused was the one thing in the world
that she now longed for
III he dies, shall never forgive myself,
| aunty," she said at last, in choked voice,
and they mingled their tears together
Then how eagerly the papers were
scanned. The Indians were causing great
deal of trouble, and news came from time to
time of skirmishes, and of officers killed or
wounded. And one day, with the letters
dancing in fantastic shapes before her eyes,
Clare read that final engagement had
taken place, resulting in the victory of our
troops; and little further down, under the
list of the killed, the name of Frank Aimes.
For two months AuntJane smothered her
own sorrow, as she leaned over the bed
where her niece lay, and heard theanguished
cry:
Crank! Frank! it is who have killed
you"
Then the crisis cana, and the doctors said
their patient would live.
Time passed, till ono day Aunt Jane came
into the room where, bolstered up in an arm
chair, was Clare, a mere shadow Of her
former self. All her wealth of sunny hair
was gone, and the wan, child-like face
seemed almost too spiritual for this earth.