Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-11-20

II believe you never saw her before"
NO" said the young man.
"Ain't she beauty?" laughed Ara
bella.
"Are you not afraid she will hear?"
80, no, she is entirely dependent on
her trumpet. That's lucky for US. If
she could hear, she might not always be
gratiied by what she heard"
"Ha, hap laughed Storrs.
Its a great trial to US to have her
here, but you know when one has rich
aunt, she can't very well be put off,"
$50 your aunt is rich" said the young
clerk with increased interest.
Eyes, she's worth twenty thousand
dollars"
That's a large sum-" said Storrs,
thinking how large a portion Of this
sum would be likely to fall to Arabella,
whom he had already looked upon as
his own.
Eyes, it's worth some sacrifice. So
we tolerate the Old lady in spite of her
grumpy dress ant odd ways"
II 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 tho young lady, playfully
tapping him with her fan. 81 must be
q charming creature If that were the
case"
Now Aunt Jane was in reality 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 a 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 fortnight at the
house of Mrs. Graves when one morning
she said at the breakfast table: Il
should like to go over to Merriam's to
spend the day."
Every WE'LL" said Arabella, with
alacrity; Eve 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."
YES" said Mrs. Graves, who being
older was little more prudent, "but
you must consider that your uncle is as
nearly related as 1 am, and we must not
let her stay there too long"
Eyes, l suppose So" said Arabella,
with sigh.
"You had better tell her that you
hope she won't stay longer than one
day."
SWELL" said Arabella, 'ff I must, I
suppose I must"
Aunt Jane, you must be sure and
not stay longer than day or two," said
the young lady through the ear trum-
pet
"You are very kind" said the old
lady; 81 didn't know but I was getting
troublesome"
80 no, we are delighted to have you
here" said Mrs. Graves. eve hope you
will stay long time"
''How could you say that, mother?"
protested Arabella.
Because, my dear, your aunt is too
old to last very long, and we ought to
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"
''As likely as not she'll live to be
hundred" muttered Arabella.
After breakfast Aunt Jane was car
ried to the house of her nephew, Mr..
James Merriam, the only son of her
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. lie
had three children, all at home. Els
wife was an excellent housekeeper and
far more amiable than Mrs. Graves,
though her pretensions were much less.
81 am glad to see you, Aunt Jane"
said Mr.. Merriam, Hospitality, as he
came out to help her from the carriage.
1--WE were hoping to see you ever since
we heard Of your arrival in town. Clara
will be delighted to welcome YOU"
The old lady drew out her trumpet
Mr.. Merriam looked concerned.
81 am sorry that you have lost your
hearing" he said.
''Old people can't expect to hear as
well as young folks" said Aunt Jane.
You must make US a good, long
COT
peared.
81 will see," said Aunt Jane.
81 always liked Aunt Jane" said Mrs.
Merriam to her husband. "She is al
ways so gentle and kind. 1t seems
very pleasant to have her in the house"
$50 it does. The only thing think
Of is, that we have a small house, and
can't make her as comfortable as at your
''Well, we will make up In the warmth
Of our welcome"
Amt Jane seemed unusually happy
that day As night approached she
seemed thoughtful, and finally consented
to stay longer.
81 must write letter to my niece to
explain it," she said.
An hour after, the following note was
placed in the hands Of Mrs. Graves:
NIECE ELEANOR: have concluded to stay
where am during the remainder Of my visit
as you remarked to Ara bella when came that
you should be delighted to have me go, this in
formation will doubtle 50 be pleasing TO you. as
for Arabella, she will be easily consoled for the
departure Of her 'fru mpy old aunt who must
have annoyed her wiz her odd ways
AUNT JANE.
"P. S. My hearing has been wonderfully re-
stored SO that can now dispense with my ear