The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-05-25
Amt lane looked on. Frank had told her

IL was d1ftcrent; nut now, now WOulu you
like to fill the house with company for a
few weeks, and have a gay timef
30, auntie, that would be fun; but
whom would you askl"
t'Well, rve been thinking that l shouldn't
lei an old prejudice stand in the way of my
dear nieces happiness. Suppose we say
first, Mr.. Holland"
"You dear, good old auntyw exclaimed
Clare springing to her aunts 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 rn try and make
them enjoy themselves"
After Glare had gone, the old lady's face
still kept its peculiar smile, as she thought:
'It may be foolish of me, putting her
right in his way. But no. know his stock,
and l guess l run no risk"
The gay company came.
Such lively times as they all hadl Such
glorious moonlight sails on the lalSel Such
picncs in the woods Such magnificent tab
leaux! for which Aunt Jane brought out all
her treasures of velvets and satins from
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 a victim of
unrequited love as he laughed and jested
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 see 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, 'Tfor one sha'n't
care If never am rich, for then no one will
quarrel about my money after l am gone"
II shall guard against that" said Aunt
Jane, for in my WILL | shall endow a
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 qui2zcal 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 a
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
palpable 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 il to Aunt Jane, she
understood it..
"The mercenary wretch! ! read him
right. 1t was what ] 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 Clares face as she
exclaimed:
"Aunty my eyes have been opened for
Sblilt bllllt. hlltN L NiAi llcb 4oNS Dut
/ had given him my promise"
The house seemed very lonely when they
had all gone: but the loneliness was good
for Glare. She grew to 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 have had no encounteras yet 1
wanted 10 come and bid you and Miss Clare
| goodbye. but IL was all so sudden. My friend,
| Major Hugh Fielding, commands the party, and
when volunteers were called for, was the first
he asked, and was not sorry go. You have
known. my dear friend. OF my love for your
niece. OF course all that is past; but, all the
same, feel as II | am just us well here us any
| where else. Nevertheless, wherever may be,
shall always remember you with the same af-
| feCtionate respect.
Please give my regards to your niece.
''Yours sincerely, FRANK AIMEs."
| Aunt Jane burst into tears.
80! Glare: see what you have doneW
| Glare read the letter in silence, and pal
lor crept over her face as she awole To
know what she had suspected for a long
time was true, and that the love she had
| once FeIuScu was lile one III WOiiu
that she now longed for
'If he dies, | shall never forgive myself,
aunty,n 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 OF
wounded And one day, with the letters
dancing in fantastic shapes before her eyes
| Glare read that a final engagement had
taken place, resulting in the victory of oui
troops (, and little further down. under the
list of the killed, the name of Frank Aimes
For two months Aunt Jane smothered hel
own sorrow, as she leaned over the bee
where her lay, and heard the anguisheo
cry, TO- ,.,,,,a
your
Then the crisis came, and the doctors sale
their patient would live.
Time passed, till one day Aunt Jane came
into the room where, bolstered up in an arm
chair was Clare, mere shadow OF hel
former self All her wealth of sunny hail
was gone, and the wan, child-like face
seemed almost too spiritual for this earth
She went, and, leaning over, kissed bel
nieces forehead
'What are you thinking about, little onep
A rush of tears burst from the girls eyes
as she exclaimed;
"Aunty! Aunty! Why did / get better
What use is there of my living, when i
wietched I-sent him | loved to his death
o, Aunty! 1t is more than can bear!n
Tho taoru forna1 thpnGplVpg thpOuOh thl