Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-02-20


trees in the square were shaking off their
few remaining leaves, rs though they
were ut last convinced that the poor,
black. shriveled things were no orna-
ment, but rather designation. My
knitting had dropped idly on my knee.
and was thinking. My 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.
| was thinking, remember perfectly.
what different thing IL must be 10 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 aud loved you as !
loved my dear mother long, long ago.
Strange thoughts for little old maid
Of 63; sad thoughts too, that made the
Ere become obscured and then shoot out
long needles, until recollectcd 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 We're
only three representatives, and between
me and those two Others there was a
long standing estrangement.
The old house was wonderfully quiet
Outside was the usual hum Of the city
traffic. distant nearly quarter of "A mile;
inside, no sound but the purring of my
cat and the flutter. dutter of flame III
the fire
A loud. energetic ring at the bell
startled us both.
why. auntie,' said Mabel, lyon are
asleep"
who can ii be-" | wondered. 'It's
not my day, so it is not likely to be
caller. If it is, we must have the gas
! Directly after the room door was
| opened and a name was announced that
I took my breath away.
MIR. Armitage."
Jane ushsred in figure OF which at
first 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
bright blaze. and | saw dark eyed
young man. not like my brother. but so
like some one else used to know, that
forgot | WAS awithered old woman, and
almost unconsciously breathed the word
Lionel.
! Yea" he answered. taking both my
hands into his strong grasp. Lionel Ar
mitage; and this. then. is Aunt Dorothy.
What tiny little amt it is!''
He bent down and kissed me. pro
! ceeding that gave the queerest sensation
could not have spoken directly TO saw,
: my life.
Il have come as peacemaker aunt,
he went on. using that title rs though b,
had seen me at intervals ever since d,
was born. ITO make up the family quar-
rel. though. upon my honor. now thinl
, of Ii. haven't the ghost Of an idea VIVA
, il was all about. However, my father
begins TO feel that he Ia getting old; h
doesn't look 1t. though. He's us uprigh
and handsome rs he ever was Well. h,
I thinks it's time bygones were bygones
5 and volunteered 10 come and see If 70,
, We're OF the same opinion"
II should have been glad To be recon
ciled any time these twenty years, m,
dear" said. wiping away a few foolisl
tears but better late than never
am very. very glad Sit down, Lionel
and talk to me here, by my side. Yol
are not bit like the Armitages, Lionel
, mo; am generally supposed TO be
kind Of reproduction of my mother
brother, who died quite Young. | wa
named after him, you know"
Eyes, know"
tafTxrapfu tsaar. what n t,fAy
, seemsl For my part | think fanil
quarrels are an awful mistake Do yo
know seem to have recollection c
you. though the last time saw You
. was little chap of six or seven. ma
an idea yon were very tall, by the way.
Where Is julius your father. mean
La he in town."
"No, he's down at the old place; TIA
town house IS wrapped in brown hollan
at present Tn putting upat Draytens.
my dear boy, you mustn't stay at tn
hotel. have two or three spare room,
Do make this your home while YOU al
in town" said, persuasively, but wa
4 almost surprised at the alacrity of b
! acquiescence.
with the greatest pleasure; nothin
should like better, Aunt Dorothy b
said
"And how does your mother lookT'
asked next. lis she as energetic as ever
/ He WINGED.
! ''She was taken from us two yeai
|, ago" he said in low voice.
! ] was too shocked to speak. nevt
a looked at the papers, or this news woul
! have been no surprise 10 me. For iittl
/ while we were silent.
I There was q great deal TO be talke
E over, however, and the hours few b
r more quickly than ever, though the
always fly terribly fast.
Il must DO going he said, at las
'.That was o'clock that struck. | 81,
a aunt. wasn't there some one here wit
E you when came inn
THAT was Mabel Verdi, Lionel. I'll
3 cause Of the quarrel" And peered ini
the gloom. never having noticed whe
she slipped away.
4 How What do You meany
"Well, my dear, it was like this. Whe
I was little more than 40. there was q
certain Miss Verdi, a poor seanstress
3 who did plain sewing for me, She had
y been my housemaid; she left me 70 marry
r = wretch who deserted her. and left hel
!. 10 support herself and her year,old baby
q She fell i'll, and | went 10 see her two "a
a fhfaa fitnaa mad "a, hon She .ftad "a ffat.5