El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-23
AUNT FANNY.
How q Little Old Maid Outstripped
Her Younger Rivals.

( How q Little Old Maid Outstripped ]:
@ Her Younger Rivals. g
@*@*@x%*@x@xa*@x@*@*<Sx@*@*@
| "Oh, Aunt Fanny, how lovely! Are
they for Laura, or for me?' The speak
er was pretty but rather insipid looking
girl. "Where have you kept them hid
| den?'
'.They were a keepsake from an old
friend and have been among my treas
ures for 13 years, Bertha" was the re-
ply.
"But now they are for me-" said the
young girl caressingly. "They will be so
lovely for tomorrow evening, and 1 must
look my best. for the girls will all don
their most fascinating attire in honor of
| the occasion"
| us it not rather marked to be so very
anxious?' inquired her aunt. ITO judge
| from what you have told me, this hero
| of yours may have any one in Silverdale
| for asking"
"WeIl, he won't know it, replied Ber-
| tina. "And, Aunt Fanny, he really is
| worth counting; he is so very rich"
els that all that is required, Bertha,
In a husband?" said her aunt seriously.
"Well, it is the main thing, anyhow,
| nowadays" replied Bertha. But Law
renee Lane has more than riches. Lucy
Harding always speaks of him true
Christian gentleman
"a true Christian gentleman"
Aunt Fanny repeated the phrase in a
musing tone, while a soft light came into
her dark eyes and a smile lowered over
her lips.
The next evening Laura and Bertha, in
feecy, white robes, with blush roses in
the hair, stood before the long mirror
in the drawing room pouting.
In the meantime the gentle aunt, who
for ten years had filled a mothers place
to these her sisters children, waited in
her own room for her nieceS.
She was not beautiful, yet there was
charm in her sweet face and a music in
her voice that were sought in vain in her
more daShinS nieceS. As she waited her
eyes rested upon letter, discolored and
worn, which had been long hidden under
her treasured ornaments. And she read:
Dear Frances-Since you will not disobey your
father and l cannot command the sum he de-
mands to pay my late fathers debts to him,
must part-part for time only, for, though seas
roll between US and we may not write, your
heart and mine never be wholly severed.
Trust me, trust me, darling, for, though years
may elapse, l will return, true to my pledge to
you. Will you keep the little gold sprigs i ven
tured to offer on your birthday that something of
mine may be yours? Heaven guard you and keep
you from further sorrow. Till meet, pray for
LAWRENCE.
1t was brilliant party that Mrs. Has
kins, the leader of fashion in Silverdale,
gave to her returned nephew. He had
left home struggling against fortune and
depressed with a knowledge of his ia
theirs large debts.
No word had come to any, till letter
to his aunt had announced his return
after ID years sojourn in Australia. All
his fathers debts were paid, and his
lawyer spoke of large sums invested in
various ways. So the result was the bril-
liant assemblage which Laura and Ber
tina were to honor and where that little
old maid" their aunt, was to appear in
society after ten years seclusion.
The hero of the evening had not ap-
peared when the trio, under the escort of
Mr.. Leslie, Bertha's and Laura's father,
entered, but soon a movement near the
door announced his arrival; tall, dis
tinguished looking man of 35 or SO, with
finished manners and well modulated
voice-a man to notice in any circle, but
now, with the glitter of his wealth, a
man. Silverdale thought, to fall down be-
fore and worship.
He had greeted his hostess, had made
nearly the circuit of the room, bowling to
new friends, greeting with warm cordial
ity his old ones, when his eyes fell upon
golden ear of wheat resting upon a
broad braid Of black hair. The light
that sprang to his eyes, the smile upon
his lips, carried such deep peace to one
heart, gave one life of patient waiting
such a new happiness, that the words Of
polite greeting fell upon ears that scarce
ly heard them.
No one else noted more than the quiet
greeting of old friends; but two hearts
were full Of deep joy-rest after weary
longing.
Some Of the guests were invited by the
returned Australian to a housewarming
of the new mansion which was to be the !
future home Of Lawrence Lane.
One week soon glided away. Aunt
Fanny was very kind in helping to trim
new peach colored silks for the sisters;
but there was an odd smile on her lip
when Lawrence Lanes matrimonial
prospects were discussed.
A few days before the eventful night
Aunt Fanny. to her nieces' surprise,
went on a visit to some old friends.
The evening appointed for the house
warming came at last. Merry voices
rang through the hall and rooms, gay
footsteps flew from one beautiful apart |
ment to another, till it was whispered |
that the jewellers were invited to meet |
the mistress as well as the master of the |
The closed doors which shut |
off a small room from the long drawing |
room were eagerly watched as the guests |
and no host came to welcome |
them.
At length they were opened, and the |
hero of the hour entered, with a small. |
white robed figure on his arm, and more |
than one cry of establishment greeted |
Frances Somers," and more than one i'll |
natured whisper was directed at Law
renee Lanes taste in choosing that little
old maid. New York News.