The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-10-08

We tolerate tho old lady in spite OF her
frumpy dress and odd ways"
81 was just going to Observe" said
Storrs, banteringly, what a strong re-
semblance there is between you and
your aunt"
Take that for your impertinence,
SIR" said the young lady, playfully
tapping him with her fan. 81 must be
a charming creature if that were the
case"
Now Aunt Jane was in reality a very
good-looking old lady, though of course
not as good-looking as when she was
young.
So the conversation ran on, entirely
regardless of Aunt Jane, who sat
placidly in rocking-chair at the WIN
dow knitting a stocking. She Appeared
to take little notice Of the young
couple, but occasionally an amused
look just fitted over her face. Prob.
ably she was thinking OF something.
Aunt Jane had been a fortnight at the
house OF Mrs. Graves when one morninp
she said at the breakfast tables ii
should like to go over to Merriaha's 10
spend the day."
Very WE'LL" said Arabella, with
alaerity; tive can carry you down there
immediately after breakfast"
what relief it will be-" said she,
turning to her mother, ITO be rid of her
a single day"
eyes, said Mrs. Graves, who being
older was little more prudent, but
you must consider that your uncle Is as
nearly related as am, and we must not
let her stay there too long"
Eyes, I suppose So" said Arabella,
with sigh.
"You had better tell her that Won
hope she won't stay longer than one
day."
"Well," said Arabella. "if / must, |
suppose must"
Aunt Jane, you must be sure and
not stay longer than day or two" said
the young lady through the ear trim.
pet.
"You are very kind" said the old
lady; ~ didn't know but was getting
troublesome"
20 no, we are delighted to have you
here" said Mrs. Graves 1--WE hope YOU
will stay a long time"
"How could you say that methers''
protested Arabella.
Because, my dear, your aunt is toe
old to last very long, and we ought to
feel willing to submit to some inceh-
veniences for the sake of being remem.
bered in her will If we work our cards
right she may leave US the whole. That
would be worth having. Twenty,thou,
sand dollars don't grow on every bush. D
las likely as not she'll live to be a
hundred" muttered Arabclia.
After breakfast Aunt Jane was car.
ried to tho house of her nephew, Mr..
James Merriam, the only son of he.
sister.
Mr.. Merriam was poor man. He had
met with reverses, and now lived in a
much less expensive way than his
cousin, Mrs. Graves, who, despite rela.
tionship, looked upon Mrs. Merriam as
her social inferior. He was very
worthy man, however, and far from
being as worldly as Mrs Graves. He
had three children, all at homo. His
wife was an excellent housckecper and
far more amiable than Mrs. Graves
though her pretensions were much less
II am glad to see you, Aunt Jane,
said Mr.. Merriam, Hospitality, as he
came out to help her from the carriage
ave were hoping to see you ever since
we heard of your. arrival in town. Glars
will be delighted to welcome you"
The old lady drew out her trumpet
Mr.. Merriam looked concerned.
II am sorry that you have lost YOU
hearing" he said.
"Old people can't expect to hear al
we'll as young folks" said Aunt Jane.
"You must make us good, lone
visit" said Mrs. Merriam, who now APP
peared.
81 will sce," said Aunt Jane
II always liked Aunt Jane,' said Mrs
Merriam to her husband. 'She is al
ways so gentle and kind. 1t seem!
very pleasant to have her in the house.
$50 it does. The only thing think
of is, that we have a small house, ant
can't mako her as comfortable as at you
Cousins"
"Well, we will make up in the warmth
Of our welcome"
Amt Jane seemed unusually happy
that day. AS night approached sh'
seemed thoughtful, and finally consented
to stay longer.
II must write letter to my niece t,
explain it," she said.
An hour after, the following note wa
placed in the hands of Mrs. Graves:
NIECE ELEANOR: have concluded to sta.
where l am during the remainder OF my visit
AS you remarked to Arabella when came thu
you should be delighted to have me 60, this in
formation will doubtless be pleasing to you. A
Tor Arabella, she will be easily consoled for tn
departure OF her 'frumpy old aunt who mus
have ANNOYED her with her odd ways
| AUNT JANE.
| "P. S. My hearing has been wonderfully re
stored so that can now dispense with my ca
trumpet"
The letter filled Mrs. Graves and Ar
abella with dismay. They had sinnet
so deeply against the old lady that the.
felt that no apologies would be ade
quate. To add to Arabella's misfort
unes, when the young clerk learned
that there was an estrangement between
her and her rich aunt, he unceHemon
ious1y deserted her for another young
lady.
Aunt Jane bequeathed the bulk of he