The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-04
HIS MAIDEN aunt

The HIST fcmcmbrancc 1 nave OF my
mother must have been when / was about
} years old.
OF my father nothing Is clear. Indeed
I do not remember ever having one until
I was led into the great drawing room one
day and lifted up TO gaze on my father"
they said, w
When I 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 Gon-
eral Neville wooed their daughter.
was never separated from her for one
day until was Is. 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 SEQ
ond year found things little different.
Indeed no lady in the neighborhood enter
tained so much company as my mother.
She said to me:
My dear Marcy, now that you are
about entering society Ii Is necessary that
I 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 j felt
perfectly sure he admired her very much
Again was vacation near, when ! re.
ceived letter from my mother, which not
only surprised me dreadfully, hut com
pietely put to flight any ideas of objecting.
demonstrating or pleading against what
had been dread during the last year for
it 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. Thh
morning I was married TO one you have met.
Be perfectly sure when your mother gave hef
heart TO the one whose wife she In her love
for her boy was NOT invaded 4
We are going for a little trip; probably
shall be absent two months. Ny husbands
sister--your maiden Hunt-wfll help your
grandma to make time pass happily until oui
return.
Yes, it was the man ! feared. In
storm of rage and disappointment strobe
up and down the floor.
After few days grew calmer and de
cided 10 return home, wait there my
mothers coming, settle up my business
and then commence my travels.
/ entered the drawing room, drew q
chair to the window and seated myself In
position TO command the road and see
my grandmother when she would be com.
Ing home, which would be snon. the sery.
ant said.
I had watched possibly half an hour
when beheld some distance off and com
ing at an almost flying rate female on
horseback. As she came nearer i 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 of her hat, She sank Oh the sofa
saying:
Dear me, II Is awfully dull out here
Iwonder when that young one is coming" :"
1t Is no use to 60 around the truth. ]
was In love at first sight. i made a little
noise with the chair aud advanced tnte
the room.
A half suppressed scream fell on my enr
and then she seemed about to fly, when ]
explained to her who was.
With beautiful smile she held out hei
hand and said:
'Ifeel as II I knew you very well. From
your mother and grandmother ! have
heard so much Of you. 1t is too bad yor
should have found no one here"
Il am very well reconciled now to that, :
said. You spoke OF my mother. Then
you are friend Of hers and visiting here,
] hope?'
Yes, I am staying with your grand.
mother and"--
"Are 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 frieud,
Miss Bell
During thc evening grandmother In.
formed me l should not be annoyed with
the society o: Miss Moreton-that was the
maiden aunts name-for several days, as
she had gone to make little visit In the
neighborhood that day, and IL was proba
BILE she would not present herself perhaps
for week. How I rejoicedl
One morning, entering the breakfast
room, bebeld 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 1 wished her In
the moon.
My grandmother arose to present me-.
dared not raise my eyes. The introduction
through, Miss Moreton said
Il was dreadful sorry was not home to
welcome you.
There was something in the voice that
caused me to look up. looked again.
A ringing laugh, followed by a very low
one from grandma, chuckle from the
servant, 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
AnDabel Moretonp
All answered will not write here.
And she as IL was against her princi-
pies TO disappoint any one" made me
happy. Soon my mother returned
During the evening Of her return no
ticed she watched Annie very closely, end
then she came, and putting her arms
around me whispered;
You can forgive me now, Mary. -
Bust'IS 5lu''c