The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1901-03-23

got into the way of calling her ever
since the elder of her two little nicces
had begun to lisp her namc-was wait
ing in her reclining chair in the bed
room on the second floor. She smiled
very swectly when Carson entered.
leaned back on the pillow and said to
him: Santa Ciaus brought you! Wait
till you two giants have carried me
down to the library, and | may tell
you--pcrhaps | may let you stay and
see"
There was more color in her cheeks
than was good to see in an invalid, and
her eyes gllttcrcd The two men easily
carried her and her chair down to the
library, which was II small room at the
foot of the stairs separated from the
drawing room by pair of folding
doors.
Now, you go, George" she said to
Messerole, land let me entertain Pierce
Kate has something TO tell you"
Then, when they were alone together,
she said to Carson: Draw up your
chair. Do you know that Bertha Bran
uon was mere just now:
''Ycs, she passed us in her cutter.
Aunt Min, II had something to tell
you-a surprise perhaps
She looked at him with her own smile
of gentle sympathy. Pm afraid Bertha
gave it all away" she said. "That
wasn't fair, was it?'
"What did she say--anything about
me-"
ooh, she said nothing about you OK
actly. But we talked. She came to see
Santa Claus about me, | believe. She
didn't expect to get Il Christmas pres
ent from me 50 soon.
You should have waited and let her
find it in the morning" said Pierce.
This particular Christmas present
wouldn't wait. Besides, an invalid is
only Il child you know. Tell Inc.
Pierce, how long have we known each
other? Ever since | came here from
from my life in the west? No, not that
long. Six years only. And you have
been like Il big brothcr-no, little
nephcw-to me all that time"
Wait, Min! Hear what l had to tell
YOU
She started, drew in her breath
sharply, lifted her head a little from
Tie pillow and looked hard at him. 1t
was in hardly more than a whisper
that she said: "'Minr Is that the way
you speak to your Aunt MINI"
You are drcadfully pale" he said.
Tg,tt oil, 49,, Y
Oh, II don't want you to be my Aunt
Min any morew
"What them" She was calm again,
smiling at him from her pillow. WAS
that what you wanted to tell me? Oh,
Pierce Carson, what grand boy you
are. Now you may go and bring me
that glass of water if you like. What
time is it!'
She sank back on her pillow with Il
smile and a sigh. When he brought
the water, she drank little and then
began at once: "Now, don't interrupt
me. Hear me read your thoughts, Pierce
Carson. 1t isn't As hours since you as
good as told Bertha Brandon that you
loved her Don't interrupt me, | tell
you. An aunt has Il right to know
these things. You may have been
thinking of what Richard Mason could
give her and how she could enjoy all
that, and then, being blind, like other
men Well, don't know. Give me
some more -thanks-but it Ger.
tanly was the Christmas in the air
more than anything else, wasn't it?
oh, yes, it was! You wanted to make
poor me happy-to take all the care of
me-didn't you. PicrceY'
Her voice trcmblcd little in asking
this question.
Eyes, but YOU don't know women,
poor boy! But never mind that. | for.
give. | decline to be made happy that
way. Give me some other Christmas
present Now. listen to me. What time
is it? Bertha has Il plan to bring him