The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-27
AN OLD MAIDS STORY.

Der afternoons when the daylight all
goes soon after 8. A chilly kind of
white mist was hanging about, and the
trees in the square were shaking off their
few remaining leaves, as though they
were at last convinced that the poor,
black, shriveled things were no orna-
ment, but rather a designation. Nv
knitting had dropped idly on my knee,
and was thinking. Ny pet was sitting
opposite, thinking or dreaming too, her
deep eyes full of the golden freight.
her oval face framed by her rich, soft
black hair.
Twas thinking, remember perfectly,
what different thing it must be to feel
old age creeping on if you had some one
beside you who had been young with
you and who grew sober and gray when
you did, and if you had sons and daugh-
tiers who reverenced and loved you as
loved my dear mother long, long ago.
Strange thoughts for little old maid
Of 63; sad thoughts too, that made the
fire become obscured and then shoot out
long needles, until recollected that my
pet was very fond Of me, though there
was no relationship between us.
She was all had, for our family had
dwindled and dwindled until there were
only three representatives, and between
me and those two others there was a
long standing arrangement.
The old house was wonderfully quiet.
Outside was the usual hum of the city
traffic, distant nearly a quarter of mile;
inside, no sound but the purring of nv
cat and the futter, hutter of a fame in
the fire.
A loud, energetic ring at the bell
startled us both.
why, auntie," said Mabel, "you are
asleep"
"Who can it be-" wondered. cts
not my day, so it is not likely to be a
caller. If it is, we must have the gas"
Directly after the room door was
opened and name was announced that
took my breath away.
''Mr. Arnitage."
Jane ushered in a figure of which at
first could only see that it was one of
the stronger sex, with an erect, almost
naughty C2I1ldS0 Oh lH0 ueebJ.
For moment | thought it was my
brother himself, as rose to my feet, all
trembling, but Mabel stirred the fire into
a bright blaze, and | saw a dark eyed
young man, not like my brother, but so
like some one else used to know, that l
forgot Twas awithered old woman, and
almost unconsciously breathed the word:
Lionel"
YES" he answered, taking both my
hands into his strong grasp, "Lionel Ar
mitage; and this, then, is Aunt Dorothy.
What tiny little aunt it is"
He bent down and kissed me, pro-
ceeding that gave the queereet sensation.
l could not have spoken directly to save
my life.
Il have come as q peacemaker, aunt"
he went on, using that title as though he
had seen me at intervals ever since he
was born, ''to 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 as he ever was. Well, he
thinks it's time bygones were bygones,
and l volunteered to come and see If you
were of the same opinion"
81 should have been glad to be recon-
ciled any time these twenty years, my
DEAR" l said, wiping away few foolish
tears. But better late than never. l
am very, very glad. Sit down, Lionel,
and talk to me here, by my side. You
are not a bit like the Armitages, Lionel"
''NO; l am generally supposed TO be a
kind of reproduction of my mothers
brother, who died quite young. was
named after him, you know"
eyes, know"
Twenty years, aunt; what pity it
seems! For my part l think family
quarrels are an awful mistake. Do you
know 1 seem to have a recollection of
you, though the last time | saw you l
was little chap of six or seven. l had
an idea you were very tall, by the way"
Where is Julius-your father, l mean?
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 Draytan's."
MY dear boy, you mustn't stay ct the
hotel have two or three spare rooms.
Do make this your home while You are
in town" said, persuasively, but was
almost surprised at the aiacrity O. his
With the greatest pleasure; nothing |
| should like better, Aunt Dorothy" he |
said
And how does Your mother lock-" / ,
asked next. is she as energetic as ever
He WINGED.
''She was taken from US two gears |
ago he said III low voice.
was too shocked to speak. never !
looked at the papers, or this news would 1
nave been no surprise to me. For little 4
while we were silent.
There was a great deal 70 he talked 4
over, however, and the hours few by /
more quickly than ever, though they |
always fly terribly fast.
Il must be going" he said, al last. I
That was o'clock that struck. l say, |
aunt, wasn't there some one here with I
you when I came in
''That was Mabel Verdi, Lionel; the 4
cause Of the quarrel And peered into
the gloom, never having noticed when 1
she slipped away.
"How? What do you mean
"Weu, my dear, If was Ike this When /
/ Was nttie more than 30, there was
certain Mss Verdi, a poor seamst<ess, /
who did plain sewing for ne. She had 4
been nv housenaid; she left me % marry
a wretch who deserted her, and let her
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