El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-07
HER RICH AUNT.

at least SO she had always heard-and
! when the poor stepmother who had done
her best to fill the vacant mothers place
to her drifted into the grave and there
was no sheltering home left her foot
steps naturally turned to Granbury
Place.
I've always heard that Aunt Jaycox
was very eccentric" thought Freddie,
land perhaps that is the reason she has
never answered any of my letters or
taken the slightest notice of me-"
As she walked along. looking wistfully
In this direction and that. n second young
girl. coming from the opposite point OF
the compass, also with a travelling bag
and shawl over her arm, accosted her
timidly:
Can you tell me where Granbury
Place 50" she asked.
Freddie stood still in amazement.
The very question | was about to ask
you" said she.
81 am a stranger in the city" said the
first young girl, coioring painfully.
And am /.
And was looking for an old lady
called JaycoX.'
IS" was L. said Freddie.
81 am her niece.
We'll. this grows stranger and stran-
L., L
didn't know | had any cousins Come,
let us go together and look for the place.
1t can't be far off,
Neither was il, dreary looking house
of red brick. and n sour looking old wo-
man who hobbled unwillingly to answer
the jangling summons of the bell admit
ted. not without hesitation, that Mrs.
Jaycox lived there.
My mistress don't see much company
these days. she said acidly.
But we are her relations" pleaded
Clara. I'VE have come a long way to
see her"
The old woman showed them into a
musty smelling room, where a gray par
rot clawed its way slowly up and down
the tin sides of its cage. watching the
unwonted visitors with blinking yellow
eyes. A minute afterward the opposite
door opened. and crooked, elflike old
woman stood before them. dressed in
faded black silk, with string of gold
beads around her neck and her gray hair
dressed in antique fashion-on a cushion
on the top of her head.
Both girls arose at once. The old lady
eyed them keenly.
oh said She "you are my nieces
This" with motion of her gold headed
cane in the direction OF the little country
girl, lis Frederick. and that is Clara.
You have come fortune hunting"
Aunt" holly interrupted Clara, you
are mistaken i want to earn my own
living. and I thought you could help us to
some way of being independent"
''Oh," said the old lady. with a sinister
grin. That's it. eli? And you?" turn
ing to Freddie.
Il have no home left, aunt" said Fred
die simply. Il came to you because You
are my fathers sister"
And you thought kept a free orphan
asylum, eh:' sneered Mrs. Jaycox.
well. you're here. and can't very well
send you away You can stay all night.
and I'll turn your cases over in my mind.
Lois"
The sour looking servant appeared.
Show these young ladies to a room.
Give 'em water and towels to remove
the dust of travel"
And this was all the welcome that the
two young orphans received.
The next morning. while Clara and
Freddie were yet wrapt in dreams. old
Lois made her appearance.
1T is not o'clock yetr' cried Clara
sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
ut isn't time to get up yet. surely"
pleaded Freddie, who had all a young
girls inclination to sleep.
No" said Lois; but it is my mistress.
She's taken ill sudden, and she wants to
know which one Of the young misses will
come and nurse her.
Whats the matter?" said Clara, still
rubbing her cyelids.
I'VE doesn't know exact" said Lois
mysteriously. II hope to goodness it
amt smallpox. but I'm dreadful afeared
it isl
"Smallpoxy' Clara gave one quick
look into the glass at her dimpled cheeks
and satin smooth skin .'Oh, my gra-
cious! Freddie. just hand me my travel
ing bag We must get out of this house
as soon as possible"
Freddie stood silent. the color coming
and going in her fresh face.
Clara said she pleadingly, Fought
we to go?"
"Ought we? I should say there was no
question on the subject" said Clara, hur-
riedly fastening the buttons of her boots.
Freddie turned to the servant.
Lois" said she. take me to my aunt's
room. 7 will be her nurse"
You are a fool"' cried Clara. tying on
her hat.
I'm not so sure of thatr uttered a
shrill voice. and Mrs. Jaycox herself ap-
peared in the doorway. faded black silk
dress. gold headed cane. glittering beads
and all. There's a fool somewhere in
this present company. but it isn't my
niece Frederick. Go your way, Clara. for
a heartlcss. time serving mink. and never
expect aught from mel Lois and have
contrived this business test of my
nieces' humanity and hearts. And we're
satisfied. aren't we. LoisY'
And old Lois grinned back her acqui-
escence.
Clara returned home that morning, her
aunt insisting that she should not even
remain to- breakfast, and Frederick staid
as Mrs. Jaycox's adopted daughter and
darling.
Nor did she ever repent it. Mrs. Jay
cox was like winter apple-hard and