Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-02-15
AUNT DEBORAH.
BY H. 3.
= BY h. B.
1NN~N~C~N>


fined to her own room for two months.
butI now, TO Use her own expression.
she was "aoie to be up and about
again, and IN see after things general
ly.'F
Mrs. Walton was very rich and old.
and Mrs. Walton's chair was drawn up
to the open window.
us that YOU Lottie?' asked Mrs.
Walton, as the door opened behind her.
Yes auntie," and pretty young
girl, with dark eyes and wavy black
hair, walked ovS-'to where Mrs. Wal
ton was sitting.
~ pretty girl was Lottie Blair. the
idollzef niece who was to inherit all Of
,borah's wealth.
1T q, 'gn here child" and Aunt De-
boran pointed TO the footstool I'm
in sae humor to hear you talk this
ate noon. Tell me. who was ii called
here so often while | was prisoner up
there?"
The Tremains called quite often.
auntie,' said Lottie. seating herself on
the footstool. land so did Kitty Law
renee, and-and the Gardeners, and
and"
Here Lottie paused in confusion.
while the scarlet crept from her cheeks
to her temples.
1t was seldom that anything escaped
Aunt Deborah's bright little gray eyes,
and the moment she saw that flush on
her niece's pretty face she scented
something in the air
We'll. my dear. what's the matter?
Who else was here?'
only young gentleman, guest of
the Gardeners" and the red grew
brighter on Lottie's face. and she hung
her head in n very suspicious manner
"Umph. only a young gentleman"
said Aunt Deborah, her bright eyes
fastened on the downcast face.
Yes. auntie. He was coming TO see
you this afternoon, but received n
note little while ago telling me that
he couldn't come. as he had to start for
home at once. In answer to n summons
He Is coming back again, though. in a
day or two
"Lottie Blair, You like this young
mang"
Lottie looked up, all smiles and
bushes.
"Yes. auntie," she said frankly.
"Lottie Blair, You love this young
man?v
''Oh, Aunt Deborah and Iottie's
hands flew to her face.
"Lottie Blair, you love this young
man." repeated Aunt Deborah. and
Lottie was silent.
'Lottie Blair, you love this young
man? Answer me-" said Aunt Debo.
rah. solemnly.
Yes, auntie." came In the faintest
tones behind the little white hands.
Lottie Blair. take down your hands
and look at me-" said Aunt Deborah.
and Lottie obeyed.
Aunt Deborah took the pretty. blush.
Ing face between her palms
MY darling, did ever deny You
anything In your lfeT' and an expires.
sion of love settled on the wrinkled
face.
Did i say you ever did. auntie?'
and the pretty face looked grieved.
I'm not saying What you said. Lot
tie. I'm asking you II ever denied
you anything
mo, auntie, you never did"
We'll, then. my dear, do you suppose
would offer any objections, IL yor
love this young gentleman and he
proves TO be all rightT'
81 oh, auntic. you're so good! know
you'll like him; he's a splendid young
gentleman and Lotto claspcd hel
hands in delight
whats his name? Tell me nj
about him? What family does he be
long TO? Where does he come from 2
His name Is Ashton"
''Ashtony interrupted Aunt Deborah
sitting bolt upright
Yes. aunfie; and he lives up at Ash
tonsille has lived there"
IAN Ashton or AshtonvilIew shrieke,
Aunt Deborah. before Lottie could fin
ish her sentence. "Iottie Blair. nevc
speak to that young man again. Th'