Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-22

If6SExf$2 h III Cofo VI Wnat Aunt
REHSsTn, Mercy was pleased to
NeENS19EsSs. call a garden, and every
NAM AcMyD- day she tended her
,.@sNa M ~ little plants with great
Asss-%NxNvNS@ care and no less pleas
-<sS&sAsS> ure. Her hair. parted
in the middle and
brushed carefully back till it hung like q cur
tain over each ear, draped face that, though
somewhat determined in its outline had GER
tain sweetness about it which spoke of self-de-
NAL and charity. Her figure, though a little
STOPPING, bore the stamp Of grace, and her
whole bearing proclaimed that once she had
been great beauty. As she stood in the twi-
light gazing thoughtfully at her little bed of
sweet peas she made a picture that would have
touched lover Of the good and true-and
sad expression resting upon her lips BETRAYED
the presence of other cares than those per-
tanning to her flowers. She was soon awakened
from her reverie. Teas ready, auntie" cried
sweet voice from within the house. and Aunt
Mercy turned and entered through the door-a
circumstance to be remarked, for the front door
was only in use when company came The
house which engulfed Aunt Mercy e slender form
was a small two-story affair fronting the main
rect of very small village in Massachuse
1t WAS of single and whitewashed
The garden" was Just in front, between the
road and the house. and. the front door was
reached by little gravel path, similar path
leading around to the back entrance Every
thing scrupulously neat, and an air of
Islands off, seemed to pervade the premises
Aunt Mercy closed the door and proceeded to
the dining room through the parlor Surely
something must weigh very heavily on Aunt
Mercy's mind! The parlor-opened only on
Sundays " hen the minister came to tea-actually
witnessed Aunt Mercy's form this Thursday
evening of which write musty odor rather
pervaded the atmosphere, and the two shells on
the mantel glared with astonishment at the in
truder. faded illuminated text that hung
upon the wall appeared to grow pale, and the
high-back chairs frowned with quiet dignity
Asnt Mercy stopped before the big rocking
chair, arranged a tidy in place. blew a little
speck OF dust from vase standing on the table
and proceeded to the old square piano. which
had not seen daylight for years There we're
several photographs upon this ancient piece of
furniture-some cabinet size and one or two
miniatures. miniature Of a very gdAd-looking
young man she quietly removed from its place
and wrapped gently in her handkerchief. Then
she went into the dining room and took her
place at the table. The table was spread for
two. and as Aunt Mercy took her seat a pretty
face looked up from the other end and gazed
with astonlshed eyes at her vis-a-vs. "Why
Aunt Mercy" exclaimed the same sweet voice
that had announced the meal, you've been
through the parlor, and l believe you've left
the front door open; mo, Lucie, replied
come in, and went into the parlor fer pup
pose.
why, the parlor amt been used 'cept Sum
days, fer long time, auntie. Was there any
thin wrong there? l busted real careful after
the minister had gone. and I'm sure the shells
were all in place. fixed the pictures all right.
too. and look pains with everythin'."
"Everythin' was all right dearie an / allus
was proud of your dustin. 'Twant to find
fault went into the parlor. had purpose,
and you shall know it soon-very soon indeed.
Pr tonight-pr'aps not-but very, very
soon
Well. I'm glad you amt put out by any
thin bein wrong in there, ANYWAY. | thought
had done things right. I'm dyin' to know
what 1t was that took you in there, tho auntie.
1t must have been a mighty strong purpose.
Tell me as soon as you can. won't you, auntie,
dear?''
Yes. yes, dearie, but it's long. long story.
and m afeared you'll git weary fore it's half
through. Has Mr.. Hull ben here today?"
The girl-for she was but girl of eighteen
blushed "a little and dropping her eyes replied,
family, For little while"
He amt comm ag in tonight, is he, my
Gear?'
Again the answer was in the affirmative
this time so inaudibly that had it not been for
the confusion of the speaker the question would
have been repeated. But Aunt Mercy knew
only too well that Yes was the reply. and for
some minutes the meal went on in silence
Lucie ate rapidly and nearly choked herself
with her tea, while Aunt Mercy clenched her
thin fingers around the handkerchief containing
the miniature. slipping very slowly her evening
beverage and looking through the window at
the distant church spire with a far-off light in
her clear blue eyes, as if trying to bring her
thoughts into realities by the power Of her
gaze.
"Luce. my dear" she presently said, "to-
morrow morning after breakfas' | want YOU to
come with me an take little walk. I've got
little story to tell which l spec you'll be right
Interested in, an well go into the woods-jes'
you an |. What do you say to it, child?"
why I'd jes' love to, auntie,", cried Lucie,
and SO it was arranged.
That evening Mr.. Benedict Hull called. Mr.
Benedict Hull wore white flannel tennis suit,
a straw hat on the back of his head and a cigar
cite, which last he threw away as he approached
the '.Perkinses.' There was something about
MIR. Benedict Hull that you liked and there was
also something about him that you didn't like
lie was handsome, fine brown eyes, frank ewes,
too, dark brown mustache and good COM
piexion. When he smiled he displayed good
set of teeth. but his mouth was a trife weak
and his manner indicated degree of careless
ness that disappointed you. If he undertook
anything he seemed to have no trouble in ac-
comprising his purpose, but whatever he did
was carelessly done. and could have been done
so much better with little more earnestness
and attention on his part. Why he had wan
dered to this little sequestered spot no one
knew but himself and his explanation was COM
plete rest. He had been through seasons at
Newport and Narragansett in summer and Wash
ington and New York in winter
Yet here he was alone and apparently very
happy. He certainly was a clever man and could
entertain himself and anybody else with whom
he came in contact. He possessed a large and
good heart and very strong inclination to fiirt
with any woman who fiattered him in the least
degree or took the slightest notice of him. And
as he was extremely popular among the fair
sex he never was at a loss for one with whom
he might indulge his inclination. which some
times would blind his od-heartedness and
make him go to such extent that it was with
difficulty he regained perfect balance. Then
he would repent and "be good" for a week or
two before his next fall. So near had he come
to an actual proposal-and, of course an &C
ceptance thereto in his last firtation-that he
really resolved to flee from the very haunts Of
temptation, and this is the true reason for find
ing him in the quiet village where dwelt Aunt
Mercy and her niece.
On this particular evening he was in q very
easy going frame of mind. II have been re-
markably Fortunate" he said to himself, '.in
having selected this place for my refuge I
was afraid that should find it 80 stupid that l
would turn again to Narragansett AND begin
4 Ill r