The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1901-12-19
CELIA'S
\ MAIDEN
~ AUN = ~
BY r. N Ell S H .

7 HAVE been staying with Jack and
Celia, and Jack has been in trouble
again. The morning after my ar
rival he came into the library where
was writing letters, and sank down
rather despoudently into a chair.
81 say, Dot" he said, In a lugubri-
Gus voice, "Cclia's maiden aunt is
coming TO stay with us"
Aunt julia arrived the next day.
She is tall. rather masculine, or, I
should say unfcmnine, looking lady,
with an aquiIinc nose and wiry, black
hair. Slightly tingcd with gray Her
hands and feet were large and pow
erful, and her voice was one that
carries" She greeted Celia. who is
her favoritc. quite cfTusiycly and
then turned iudiTcreutIy TO me.
well, Dot so you're here again"
she said, and held my hand for a mo-
ment loosely IN her palm, while / re-
plea chccrfully, like the clown in the
pantomime: Yes Aunt Julia, here
we are ugain!" ...-..t-......rf
Aunt Julia had decided views upon
many subicdNs, but, perhaps, more
especially upon the marriage qucs-
tion than any other. asked her dur
ing dinner, quite innocently Of
course, If she did not think il quite
right for "A man 20 mary second
time il his first wife died.
She looked down at her plate and
shifted angrily, as if seeming battle
instead of mint sauce
Right" she said, contcmptuously,
tossing a piece OF unoffcnding lamb
from one side Of the plate 70 the
other and upsctting three green peas
on TO the table cloth. II think it's
mean-positiycly mean, If man
wants two wives, let him take them
both at once; two, or as many more
as he likes I'm sure I don't care"
(This was only natural, since she was
not likely 10 become one Of thcmD
so long as man does II openly,
say, / don't care how many wiycs he
takes at once, but 10 marry see
ond time when the poor dear first
isn't there 10 prevent him, | call that
mean, iadecd."
Here Jack who only wanted 20 be
pleasant, put in, chccrily: quite
right, Miss Anstruthcr. ] agree with
you entirely, Let him take them an
at once, | say, and the more the mcr-
rier," and bc smiled gcnially at Aunt
Julia.
But his sentiments so annoyed
Celia, who Is inclined 10 be Jealous,
that she nearly began 10 cry and we
had to change the conversation.
Things went on smoothly for a few
days, but gradually Aunt Juia's m.
due influence over Celia began TO
show itself, and at last it became
marked, indeed
My pretty sister came down to
breakfast with her hair pushed
straight on her face aud carrying a
large book IN her hand.
pour out Jacks tea, Dot" she
said, hastily, "becausc am IN a
hurry, am going out with auntic,"
where TO, Celia
eve are going 10 lecture on
Mammoth Antiquities" she said. i'm.
portantiy; and then. with sudden
change Of voice: "Oh by the way,
the tickets are five shillings each.
have you half a sovereign, dear?"
III you stay at home Aunt JuIin
will give you "a lecture for nothing"
he suggested, as he handed her the
money.
Yes, and she might give free illus.
MI Z
the Mammoth Antiquities" ! added
pleasantly
Celia rose with dignity.
please do not make fun Of auuttc,"
she said, coldiy; "sbc Is exceedingly
clever. and is going 20 help me with
my education. She has lcunt me this
book TO read" she added holding an
Whatelcy's Logic" as she spoke.
How kind Of her; you might LEND
her my Bradshaw IN return" re-
tortcd Jack, as he settled down e
read his paper.
Poor Celia! Her symptoms becnm,
daily worse and worse She drosar,
herself as much like Aunt Julia a.
possible, aud wore a coat and Skin
with stiff collar, instead Of he
usual fluffy" garments. and She rea,
so much although ! don't believe sh,
understood word She read that sh,
quite wriukcd up her forehead
Jack was first amused aud thei
angry, and finally confded in mo tina
he intended 70 ask Aunt Julia TO 70
but az She Is rich and Celia has *
pcetationh from her, ! persuaded hin