The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-13

her niece surprised everyone; that she
had subsequently altered her will, for
saking the hospitals therein endowed
and made Freda her sole heiress
amazed, but did not quite convince,
everyone, for there We're some who
thought they knew Aunt Euphemia
too well, and put it down to one of
her fleeing eccentricities. There the
wiseheads were wrong, for uncon-
sciously the niece had made a con-
quest, stealing into the starved and
loveless heart of the old woman, who
in secret yearned over the bright
young thing, but in the stiff, relent-
less pride of a hard nature she would
not betray "her weakness"
Il have chosen" said Freda, in a
low voice Jack is all the world to me.
Your fortune, much as it is, is nothing
in comparison with our love-"
Aunt Euphemia picked at the palms
of her mittens in her pent-up agita-
ton, and a hard cracked laugh came
from her dry lips, which, however.
trembled like the girls.
wait until you introduce yourself
to him as a pauper bride, and then see
how much his love is worth"
You have insulted him once, but I
will not hear you twice." cried Freda,
moving to the door
Where are you going?" asked Aunt
EUphemia, rising unsteadily, her ema-
ciated yellow hands resting heavily on
the top of her ebony stick.
You have disowned me-" said the
girl, turning round. 81 can't stop here.
/ am grateful to you for the home you
have given me, deeply grateful for
everything you have done"
Then you are really mad enough to
marry this man? Mad enough to sac
riice the riches I could give you? Mad
enough to face worse poverty than that
from which 1 saved you"
Yes mad enough for it allra was
the answer.
Then go! Go quickly! And never
come to me if you are in distress, for
I would not stretch out a finger to help
your
The ebony stick quivered in the air
as it pointed to the door. and a moment
after the door closed between them.
Perhaps if Aunt Euphemia had plead
ed the grief she was feeling, as we'll as
the rage, Freda Ray would not have
passed so quickly and completely out
of her sight.
That same night, when the lonely
old woman was left alone in her bed
room, and the door was shut and bolt
ed, she let her proud white head droop
dejectedly on to her bosom. She was
crying as old people cry, without tears;
feeling more forlorn than she cared to
admit even to herself and more for
saken than she had ever felt before.
Though only few hours had passed
she missed the girls bright presence,
her gentle voice her tender touch, most
horribly; and in this softened. half
remorseful mood she fell into retro
spection which led her disturbed
thoughts into the long ago.
Fifty years ago she had looked some
thing like Freda, only handsomer; yes,
and taller. Her eyes had been large
and dark and fiery, as Freda's had
been that morning and she had had
lover too-like Freda. He had been
poor and she had loved him passion
otely, but her pride, that pride which
dominated her body and soul, had sen,
him away from her to earn riches and
position in the world. All mel How
the time had dragged, and, how brave
were his letters from across the seal
Aunt Eupherlia passed her hands
over her withered face, which had ne
trace left of its warm girl beauty. end
crossed the room in a stealthy, guilty
manner, glancing furtively over her
shoulder as she came back to the table
with something Rugged in her arms
II was little rosewood writing case
which sic unlocked with nervous
fingers. and he small, hard eyes grew