The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-04-06
AN OLD MAIDS MONEY.
Why She Didn't Leave It to He1
Nephew.


Aunt Jane was angry. There was
peculiar emphasis in the motion of the
crochet needle she was punching into
the holes of piece of worsted work,
and a jerk in the rocking of her chair
that spoke volumes to those acquainted
with Aunt James peculiarioies of tenn
per- 1t was early in the forenoon and
generally the esti1nable maiden lady
was bustling about her handsome
house at this hour, and making the
servants lives burden for the day.
But on this particular morning they
washed dishes and swept rooms in
peace. The spasns of anger grew
more violent and frequent, till finally
the worsted work. was made into a
ball, tossed to corner of the room,
and 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 moment, with
lip curled contemptuously, she sud-
denly drew over her face, like q mask,
an expression of tender sympathy, and
rushing across the room knelt beside
the weeping lady.
Dear Miss Jane she said, anxiously,
''what can be the matter?''
Aunt Jane every body called Miss
Montgomery Aunt Jane-sat erect with
start, her eyes swapping and her
voice sharp.
Tom is gone!''
'Gone?"
eyes, he's gone! We had fearful
quarrel, and he 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, and see
how he likes it after living here" and
Miss James sobs broke out again. ITO
think of that boys flying in my face in
that way, after being lilSe my own son
for twenty years.
Gle is wicked ungrateful man,
said Miss Julia, energetically.
''He is nothing of the kind" snapped
Aunt Jane.
Julia was somewhat startled, but
said:
ITO marry against your wish is un-
grateful"
why shouldn't he marry the girl he
loves?" cried the inconsistent spinster.
''I'ln an old fool I've sent him away,
and I'll never see him again"
1t seems as if Aunt Jane was right in
her conclusions. The stately house
echoed no more the ringing voice and
light step of Tom, the nephew and dar-
ling of his maiden aunt.
If Aunt Jane had been alone Tom
would doubtless have been hunted up
and recalled; but Julia kept the anger
alive. She was flatterer in chief in
Aunt JAMES court, and she made her
| cooing voice and soft step almost ne
cessity in Toms absence. Miss Jane
was very rich, and had no relative bu t
| Tom, If she could be persuaded to
make q will, who kneY but friends
might have legacies Miss Julia famed
the flame of wrath, not openly, but in
covert, sly, remarks. that kept the sore
| ranking
Aunt Jane did not guess how Tom
wondered over her obdurate silence, and
she fretted and worried and grew gray
| er and more wrinkled. Two years
told upon face and figure, and from a
darlx-haired, vixenish old maid, she al
tered to a white haired, whining old
woman. One of her friends, remarlxiug
thoughtlessly upon this change of ap-
pearance, said;
"You have changed so much scarce
ly knew YOU"
4 luminous idea struck Aunt Jane.
Tom Montgomery in these two years
had settled down into a pretty, COM
| Portable house. made home by gentle
wife and growing baby. He had in
vested his little fortune in partner
ship in dry goods house and was
making money.
To his house one cold December
evening came an old woman, dressed
shabbily, and asked for the proprietor.
Not at home" the servant said.
81 will wait, if he will come in
soon"
A sweet-faced lady opened the door
of CHEEKY sitting-room-
'SNHl you walk in here and waltz
Mr.. Montgomery will soon be in"
The old lady came in feebly
"You are tired" Mrs. Montgomery
said, kindly. "Sit here by the fire. 1t
is very cold.n
Very cold. Is that your baby?"
The mother turned down little the
snowy sheets of pretty cradle and
showed the dimpled cheeks of the
sleeping child.
Yes, this is my little girl"
'What is her name9"
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