The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-12-31
"Mr. Armitage.n

Jane ushered in a figure of which at
first I could only see that it was one of
the stronger sex, with an erect, almost
naughty carriage of the head.
For a moment / thought it was my
brother himself, as / rose to my feet, all
trembling, but Mabel stirred the fire into
a bright blaze, and l saw a dark eyed
young man, not like my brother, but so
like some one else / used TO know, that /
forgot l was awithered old woman, and
almost unconsciously breathed the word:
"Lionel."
Eyes" he answered, taking both my
hands into his strong grasp, "Lionel Ar
mitage; and this, then, is Aunt Dorothy.
What a tiny little aunt it isl"
He bent down and kissed me, a pro-
ceeding that gave the queerest sensation.
/ could not have spoken directly to a
my life.
81 have come as a peacemaker, aunt
he went on, using that title as though he
had seen me at intervals ever since he
was born, ito make up the family quar-
rel; though, upon my honor, now / think
of it, l haven't the ghost Of an idea what
it was all about. However, my father
begins to feel that he is getting old; he
doesn't look it, though. He's as upright
and handsome a he ever was. Well, he
thinks it's time bygones were bygones,
and 1 volunteered to come and see if you
were of the same opinion"
II should have been glad to be con
ciled any time these twenty years, my
dear" | said, wiping away a few foolish
tears. But better late than never. /
am very, very glad. Sit down, Lionel,
and talk to me here, by my side. You
are not a bit like the Armitages, Lionel"
mo; / am generally supposed to be a
kind of reproduction of my mothers
brother, who died quite young. I was
named after him, you know
Eyes, / know"
Twenty yeaEs, aunt: what a pity it
seems. For my part ! think family
quarrels are an awful mistake. Do you
know l seem to have a recollection of
you, though the last time fsaw you l
was a little chap of six or severs, a
an idea you were very tall, by the way"
"Wherei is Julius-your father, Imeanf'
Is he in town.
"No, he's down at the old place; the
town house is wrapped in brown holland
at present. I'm putting up at Drayton's."
my dear boy, you mustn't stay at the
hotel. Ihave two or three spare rooms.
Do make this your home while you are
in town. said, persuasively, but was
almost surprised at the alacrity of his
acquiescence.
with the greatest pleasure; nothing
] should like better, Aunt Dorothy, hs
said.
"And how does your mother Look" l
asked next. 'Is she as energetic as ever?'
He WINGED.
"She was taken from us two years
ago" he said in a low voice.
/ was too shocked TO speak. never
looked at the papers, or this news would
have been no surprise to me. Fora little
while we were silent.
There was a great deal to be talked
over, however, and the hours few by
more quickly than ever, though they
always fly terribly fast.
Il must be going" he said, at last
'sThat was 6 o'clock that struck. / say.
aunt, wasn't there some one here with
you when | came inT'
ssThat was Mabel Verdi, Lionel; the
cause of the quarrel" And l peered into
the gloom, never having noticed when
she slipped away.
Elbow? What do you meanY'
"Well, my dear, it was like this When
-. . l.sklo +L,r al f6a~a ma n
certain Miss Verdi, a poor seamstress,
who did plain sewing for me. She had
been my housemaid; she left me to marry
Q wretch who deserted her, and left her
to support herself and her year-old baby
She fell i'll, and ! went to see her two OF
three times. and when she died. a there
Were no relations, ! brought the forlorn
baby home till something could be done
with it. The whole of it was, | determ-
inei to keep it altogether. That was why
your father was SO angry. And that child
Is Mabel Verdi"
Lionel whistled softly.
"And was that alp
ssThat wa all. We are an obstinate
family, Lionel. The more Your father
objected to my bringing the child up. the
more resolved / became"
HIM, 1t was very good Of you. The
girl must have been no end OF trouble
And so you have brought her up to b
your maid or companion.'
s.She d my adopted NIECE I said,
bis tone hurt me in
1lleave her everything