Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-05-03
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 jerk In the rocking Of her
chair that spoke volumes to those ac-
quainted with Aunt James peculiar
tiles OF temper. 1t was early in the
forenoon and generally the estimable
maiden lady was bustling about her
handsome house at this hour, and
making the servants lives a burden
for the day. But on this particular
morning they washed dishes and
swept rooms in peace. The spasms
of anger grew more Violent till
finally the worsted work was made
into ball tossed to a corner OF the
room, and Aunt Jane burst into fit
Of weeping.
She was still sobbing when the
door was opened and a pale little
blonde came into the room, Looking
at Miss Jane Montgomery for mo-
ment, with lip curled cOntemptu-
0usly, she suddenly drew over her
face, like a mask, an expression Of
tender sympathy, and rushing across
the room knelt beside the weeping
lady.
'Dear Miss Jane" she said, anxi-
Ously, what can be the natter"
Aunt Jane-everybody called Miss
Montgomery Aunt Jane-sat erect
with start, her eyes swapping and
her voice sharp.
"Tom is gonew
Gone"
"Yes he's gone! We had a fear
full quarrel, and he would have his
own wav; 50 | told him to 90, and
never see my face again"
"Would have his own way" echoed
the little blonde.
eyes, ne will marry Mary Hill, and
he won't marry you! I've done with
him. lie has So, 900 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 thai boys flying in my
face in that way, a ter 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:
ITO marry against your wish is un-
grateful"
"Why shouldn't he marry the girl
he loves?" cried the inconsistent
spinster. "Tm an old fool. I've
sent him away and I'll never see him
again"
1t seemed 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 darling 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 tlatterer-in-
chief in Aunt James court, and she
made her cooling voice and soft step
almost d 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 flame of wrath,
not openly, but in covert sly re-
marks, that kept the sore ranking.
Aunt Jane did not gusS how Tom
wondered over her Obdurate silence,
and she fretted and worried and grew
graYer and more wrinkled. Two
years told upon face and figure, and
from adark-haired, vixenish old maid,
she altered tOa white-hairCd, whin-
ing old woman. One of her trends,
remarking thoughtlessly upon this
change of APP earance, said:
"You have changed so much l
scarcely knew you"
A luminous idea struck Aunt Jane.
Tom Montgomery in these two
years had settled down into a pretty,
comfortable house. made home by a
gentle wife and a Growing baby. He
had invested his little fortune in a
partnership in a dry goods house and
was making money.
To this house one cold December
evening came an old woman, dressed
shabbily, and asked for the pro.
prietor.
"Not at home" the servant said.
II will wait, II he will come soon. y
A Sweet-faced lady opened the door
of CHEEKY sitting-room.
"Will you walk in here and wait;
= 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"
"VerY cold Is that your baby?'
The mother turned down little
the snowy sheets of a pretty cradle
and showed the dimpled cheeks o
the sleeping child.
eyes, this is my little girl"
'SWhat is her name?"
"Jaue"
s.Iane Is an aWfully ugly name.n