The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-11-14

pellatIon, and what was the significance oi
J it? Could it be that they cared no more
for her than the amount Of money-value
she represented to them ?
She stayed very long while in her own
room that morning; and it must be owned
that she had never before so valued its Sc
clusion, for she shed many bitter, scalding
tears, although her face looked pale when,
she came down to dinner, and she felt very,
very sad.
She feared that her nieces would have
noticed the change in her looks and man
ner at once, for she was naturally, cheer
full, chatty old lady; and the fact that no one
appeared to see anything out of the way
was but another proof how very little they
cared about her. Well, Aunt Phemie grieved
and wept in secret a good many days; and
in the light afforded by that iippant speech
of her niece Jane, she observed many things
that otherwise would have had no meaning
to her. And it cannot be denied that q
bitter and resentful feeling for time took
possession of her gentle bosom; and then
she took certain resolution referred to in
the beginning of this story, and adhered to
it with the answering steadiness that
was part of her character.
Aunt Phemie continued to look pale, and
something of the sadness and bitterness
within showed in her face, till at last her
inattcntive relatives commented on the fact,
and even made show of interest in regard
to it.
at is nothing worse than | can recover
from, hope Aunt Phemie answered,
gravely, when one and another asked what
was the matter; and day or two after that
some one read aloud, one morning, how
certain bank had stopped payment. 1t was
the bank in which all Aunt Phemie's money
lay for safe keeping, and all the family
kuew it, and they looked at her with scared
and startled glances.
"Did you know of it, Aunt Phemie ?"
Jane, who, of all the family, cared the
most for her aunt, though she had bestowed
that disagreeable appellation.
eyes, l knew of it, was the calm reply,
and Aunt Phemie rose quietly and left the
room.
"And that's what's the matterr p ex-
claimed Kate, in her excitement, nncon-
scious that she was indulging in slang, "and,
depend upon it, she has lost every dollar
she owned in the world, and now we will
have to support her on our narrow income,
that never was enough for ourselves. l
VOW, we are the unluckiest family 1t
would try the patience of saint.
But Aunt Phemie had no intention to
try any ones patience, and just waited
long enough to see whether her continued
presence in the family would be regarded
as burden; and she was not long in max
ing up her mind on the subject Then
she began to cast about as to where She
would betake herself, and had almost de-
cided on taking pretty little suit of rooms
in comfortable, old-fashioned family hotel
when her plans were changed by the arri-
val of Mrs Cook
Jessie, prettier than ever, and radiant
with happiness, bounded into the old lady's
|
room, and catching her in her strong young
arms, almost hugged and kissed her breath
away.
40, dearest auntie ;" exclaimed the warm
hearted girl. 81 am so glad all your money
is gone, for now | can have you all to my
self, and l will try to show you some of
the love and gratitude always felt for all
your kindness
Aunt Phemie burst into tears, but they
were happy and triumphant tears.
"Then you really love me, Jessie ?" she
said. "Thank Heaven some one does love
me, after all !" And the dear old lady
sobbed and laughed Historically in a rather
alarming way; but Jessie soon soothed and
quieted her, and like sensible girl began
helping her pack her trunks for imme-
diate departure.
Neither Mary nor Jane nor Kate placed
any obstacle in the way of Jessies plan to
take entire possession of Aunt Phemie; al
though Jane, who had some natural affee-
tion, did kiss the old lady quite warmly
when she said 'good-by,' and spoke with
some feeling regarding the loss she had
sustained.
"What loss ?' asked Aunt Phemie inno-
Gently.
"Why, the bank ? of course. You said
you knew it had stopped payment" Kate
retorted, brusquely. You can't have for
gotten it already y
go, the bank Well, yes, it had passed
out of my memory. You see, the fact was
not of any particular interest to NE. Ihad
drawn out all my money couple of days
before Good-by, my dear girls. You
will hear from me sometimes; so don't be
unduly anxious about me. 1 am writing
a little story for private circulation. 1t is
new version of the old one about the hen
that laid the golden eggs, and it will be
called THE GOLDEN GOOSE. l will send
you copy as soon as it is printed. And
the carriage CLOSED with bang, though
not so loud but what Aunt Phemie's nieees
heard a rather merry though satirical laugh
as the old lady was driven rapidly away.
A writer in the Western Christian Ad-
vocate says :-"We asked an old colored
nreacher fhe other dav hnw his church was