Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-06-15
miscellaneous.
AN OLD MAIDS MONEY.


Aunt Jane was angry There was a
peculiar emphasis in the motion of the
crochet needle she was punching into the
holes of piece of worsted work, and q
jerk in the rocking of her chair that
spoke volumes to those acquainted with
Aunt James peculiarities of temper. 1t
was early in the forenoon and generally
the estimable maiden lady was busting
about her handsome house at this hour,
and making the servants's lives burden
for the day. But on this particular
morning they washed dishes and swept
rooms in peace. The spasms of anger
grew more violent and frequent, till
finally the worsted work was made into
a ball, tossed to q corner of the room,
aud Aunt Jane burst into fit of weep
ing.
She was still sobbing when the door
was opened and pale little blonde came
into the room Looking at Miss Jane
Montgomery for a moment, with a lip
cullcd contemptuously, she suddenly
drew over her face, like mask, an ex-
preston of tender sympathy, and rush.
ing across the room knelt beside the
weeping lady.
Dear Miss jane" she said, anxious
ly, what can be the matter 7"
Aunt Jane--everybody called Miss
Montgomery Aunt Jane-sat erect with
a start, her eyes swapping and her voice
sharp.
Tom is gone !"
"Gone ?"
ayes, he's gone We had fearful
quarrel, and no would have his own
way so | told him TO go, and never
see my face again
would have his own way !" echoed
the little blonde
Eyes, he will marry Mary Hill, and
he won't marry you! I've done with
him. He has $4,000 his mother left
him, let him try living on that, aud see
how he likes after living here" and Miss
James sobs broke out again. "To think
of that boys flying in my face in that
way, after being like my own son for
twenty years"
He is a wicked, ungrateful man."
said Miss Julia, energetically.
"He is nothing of the kind. :" snapped
Aunt Jane
Julia was somewhat startled, but said /:
"To marry against your wish is un-
grateful"
why shouldn't he marry the girl no
loves p cried the inconsistent spinster
"Pm an old fool. I've sent him away,
and I'll never see him again
1t seems as il Aunt Jane was right in
her conclusions. The stately house
echoed no more the ringing voice and
light step Of Tom, the nephew and
darling Of his maiden aunt.
Ii Aunt Jane had been alone Tom
would doubtless have been hunted up and
recalled but Julia kept the anger alive.
She was aatterer in chief in Aunt James
court, and she made her cooling voice
and soft step almost necessity in Toms
absence. Miss Jane was very rich, and
had no relative but Tom. If she could
be persuaded to make will, who knew
but friends might have legacies. Miss
Julia famed the fame of wrath. not
openly, but in covert, sly, remarks, that
kept the score ranking
Aunt Jane did not guess how Tom
wondered over her obdurate silence, and
she fretted and worried and grew greyer
and more wrinkled Two years told
upon her face and figure, and from a
dark haired, vixenish old maid, she al
tered to whte-haired, whining old
woman. One of her friends, remarkiug
thoughtlessly upon this change Of ap-
pearance, said:
"You have changed 80 much | scarce
ly knew you"
A luminous idea struck Aunt Jane
Tom Montgomery in these two years
had settled down into u pretty. com
Portable house, made home by gentle
wife and a growing baby. He had in
vested his little fortune in partnership
in dry goods house and was making
money.
To his house one cold December even
ing came an old woman, dressed shah
billy, and asked for the proprietor.
"Not at heme," the servant said.
II will wait, if be will come in soon.
! A sweetfaced lady opened the door o
a CHEEKY sitting-room.
"Will you walk in here and wait
Mr.. Montgomery will soon be H."
The old lady came in feebly.
"You are tired" Mrs. Montgomer
said, kindly. ''Sit here by the FIRE.
is very cold"
VERY cold. Is that your baby2
The mother turned down little th
snowy sheets of pretty cradle an
showed dimpled cheeks Of the sleepiu
child.
yes, this is my little grill"
'What is her name 2"
Jane
"Jaue is an awfully ugly name"
, 1T is not very pretty, but sh e
named for an aunt Of Mr.. Montgomery
Of whom he is very fond"