Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-03-04
HIS MAIDEN AUNT.

oANJ oesANs
When became old enough to under.
stand, learned much from my old nurse
She told me my mother was child when
her parents gave her to my father, who
was many years older than her. But he
was immensely rich and loved the child,
and SO they were well pleased when Gen
eral Neville wooed their daughter.
/ was never separated from her for one
day until I was 10. I was sent to college.
1t was severe trial for me to leave her
mother, friend, companion, all, to me.
Returning home at the close of the sec.
ond year found things a little different.
Indeed no lady in the neighborhood enter
tanned SO much company as my mother.
She said to me:
My dear Marcy, now that you are
about entering society it is necessary that
should secure the best friends for you."
But among her guests was one fancied
my mother was little more attentive to
"a very handsome lawyer. And felt
perfectly sure he admired her very much
Again was vacation near, when l re-
ceivrd letter from my mother, which not
only surprised me dreadfully, but COM
pletely put to flight any ideas Of objecting,
demonstrating or pleading against what
had heen dread during the last year, for
1t was then reality:
DEAR MARCY-Believing the time will come
when you will think, with me, that bad
promise had better be broken than kept,
take some comfort in the regret feel in Civ.
ing you sorrow, even for little while. This
morning I was married to one you have met.
Be perfectly sure when your mother gave her
heart to the one whose wife she is her Iowa
for her boy was not invaded.
We are going for little trip; probably
shall be absent two months. My husband 8
sister-your maiden aunt-will help your
grandma to make time pass happily until OUT
return.
Yes, it was the man I feared. In q
storm Of rage and disappointment stroda
up and down the floor.
After few days grew calmer and de-
cided to return home wait there my
mothers coming, settle up my business
and then commence my travels.
I entered the drawing room, drew q
chair to the window and seated myself In
a position to command the road and sec
my grandmother when she would be COM
ing honle which would be soon, the serv.
ant said.
= AoN WoOoACu pOSoAOAy AnAA al AOuI
when beheld some distance off and COM
ing at an almost flying rate female Oh
horseback. AS she came nearer beheld
the most beautiful girl had ever seen
On she came, up to the gate and over
without seeming aware that such an oh
stacle had been in her way.
drew back into the recess of the win
dow as she entered the drawing room,
Tossing off her hat, she sank on the sofa
saying:
''Dear me, 1t is awfully dull out herel
Iwonder when that young one is coming"
1t Is no use to 60 around the truth. ]
was in love at first sight. made little
noise with the chair and advanced into
the room.
A half suppressed scream fell OH my ear,
and then she seemed about to fly, when
explained to her who was
With beautiful smile she held out he1
hand and said:
II feel as If knew you very well. From
your mother and grandmother have
heard SO much Of you 1t is too bad you
should have found no one here"
II am very we'll reconciled now to that,
said. "You spoke of my mother. Then
you are friend Of hers and visiting here,
hopeP'
Eyes, am staying with your grand,
mother and"-
"My aunt" I said, finishing her reply.
care you acquainted with that worthy
lady, my mothers maiden sister," asked.
Slightly. met her here this week."
she returned, with smile.
Soon my grandmother came and form.
ally presented me to my young friend,
Miss Bell.
During the evening grandmother in
formed me should not be annoyed with
the society of Miss Moreton-that was tho
maiden aunt's name-for several days, as
she had gone to make little visit in tho
neighborhood that day, and it was proba
BILE she would not present herself perhaps
for week. How rejoiced!
One morning, entering the breakfast
room, behold the long dreaded person,
felt sure, seated with her back to me, the
very picture Of my imagination-my
maiden aunt.
No chance Of another days happiness
then. She would always be prying about
and coming in just when wished her in
the moon.
My grandmother arose to present me. !
dared not raise my eyes, The introduction
through, Miss Moreton said:
II was dreadful sorry was not home to
welcome YOU"
There was something in the voice that
me to look up. looked again.
A ringing laugh, followed by a very low
one from grandma, chuckle from the |
and by the removal of the cap |
spectacles and false front hair was soon |
convinced that had been the object of an |
excellent joke.
"Your maiden aunt, young man-Miss
Moreton!''
All I answered / will not write here.
And she, as 1t was against her princi-
Piles to disappoint any one," made me
happy. Soon my mother returned.
During the evening Of her return no.
ticed she watched Annie very closely, and |
then she came. and putting her arms
around me whispered:
''You can forgive me now, Marcy. -
Boston Globe.
Enlivened the Collection.