The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-10-16

PRISE, Sne S2lQ IN ner answer UnaI she
had been on the point of writing to me
herself but would now defer mention
ing the matter she had in mind until we
met.
As had OWNED, the subject that was
engrossing her as regards me was the
coming visit of the Honorable Ernest
Ferroll. She had heard from him at
San Francisco to the effect that he was
on the point Of starting for the east, and
that he took tic liberty of forwarding to
her his letters of introduction as prelim-
mary to paying his respects to her in
person. But on the particular evening
Of my arrival | found Aunt Agnes
oblivious to everything except a piece of
information which, though far from in
credible to me, had evidently been to her
like lightning from aclear sky. The for
bidding manner in which she received
me led me to fancy that had displeased
her, and remembering her previous dis
covery, the awful suspicion that she had
ferreted out my secret seized me for an
instant. But was speedily treasured.
~ am glad you are here, Virginia, if
only to read this. You were right,
child, after all; and | am an old fool,
over whose eyes any one seems to be able
to pull the WOOL"
She spoke in her sternest tones, and
held out to me a newspaper in which
was the announcement of the nuptials of
Mr.. Charles Liversage Spence and Miss
Lucretia Kingsley-''no cards.
Did you not know they were en-
gaged:' inquired.
81 know nothing but what you see
there" replied my aunt; land what is
more, wish to know nothing further"
'They have acted for some time as if
they were engaged. If they are in love
with each other it seems best that they
should be married after all, said, not
caring to express my opinion as to the
especial fitness of the match with any
greater emphasis.
''In love with each other! What right
had she to fall in love with him, [ should
like to know" she exclaimed with in
dignation. ''She mere disciple, pupil,
to fall in love with the master; aspire to
be the wife of a man as far superior to
her as a planet to an ordinary star. Bah!
Fall in love with him! Tell me! 1t was
bad enough when he fell in love with
you, Virginia; but this is fifty times
worse, because she knew better, and un-
derstood the value of celibacy to such a
life. Her conduct amounts to utter self,
ishness"
81 think Miss Kingsley has had de.
signs on Mr.. Spence for a long time.
That was why she was so bitter against
me-" 1 said
"Would that you had married him,
Virginia! | could have endured that
But this is disgusting! never wish tC
see either of them again" emphatically
| remarked Aunt Agnes.
1t was useless to represent to her that
Mrs. Spence was very much in love with
her husband, and that on that account
would doubtless strive to make him
| happy. It was the fact of their marriage
| that distressed her, and, unlike me, she
did not think of plying Mr.. Spence be
cause CT any flaws in the disposition Of
his wife. | tried, therefore, to dismiss
the matter from the conversation as soor
as possible, and before the end of the
evening her mood was so far Modified
that she introduced the subject of the
Honorable Ernest's arrival.
eyes, Virginia" she said, sit is forty
one years ago that I made the ocean pas
sage with that young mans father, and
we have correspondent ever since. THAI
is what comes of being systematic IL
ones habits Now, don't go fancyine
| that there was anything more in it THAI
| there really was. We were friends simply
nothing else. But g friend means some
| thing to me, and mean to receive thi.
young man into my house and show
him every attention in my power. An(
you tell me that you have met him il
New York, and like him very much?
am not match maker, Virginia, like
your Aunt Helen, but it will doubtless
be very agreeable to both the families i
you young people should happen to take
fancy to each other. Stranger thing:
have occurred, and since 1T is evident tt
| me from an intimate knowledge of yOul
| character that you are sure to- marry
some day, | know of no one whom il
would please me so much to intrust your
future happiness to as the son of nay
old friend. His presumptive rank would
probably weigh far more with you than
with me- Provided the young man ha:
high principles and steadfast purpose
l shall be content"
laughed gently in reply. | had made
up my mind not to thwart the old lad.
openly. 1t would be time enough fol
that later if the honorable Britain eve
should come to the point. 1t was sucl
a novel coincidence that my aunts should
agree for once on anything that thu
thought of putting myself in antagonist
with them did not occur to me seriousl,
for moment. felt the humor of th'
situation, and was also filed at onc'
with tire desire to harmonic them for
ever by means of this common interest.
eve will see, Aunt Agnes, what III
thinks of me- said; and all through
my visit OF two days / dropped hints O
the efforts Aunt Helen had made il
New York to prejudice Mr.. Ferron il
my favor
'.She has spoiled all, | dare say, b.
showing her hand too openly" bristlet
Aunt Agnes the first time mentioned