The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-02-11
Aunt MadsIinG'S Valentine.
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60 ND the girl clings to this silly no
lAA ton tion' ~ It's IS preposterous If you
GSS don't make her give up that poor
fellow and accept Rufus Clark, I'll have
no more to do with any of you. go
to might unless the girl gives in. Shes
your daughter; make her obey" And
Aunt Madeline walked out of the room,
leaving her. niece-gentle, helpless Mrs
Price--in despair, for well she knew that
her persuasions were powerless with 10y
al Kitty Price.
Kitty, the eldest of the widows four
had been Aunt Madeline's pro-
tege for years. Ever since her fathers
death the child had been clothed and edu-
Gated by this aunt of Mr.. Prices, child
less widow, who, to be near her darling
Kitty, had for the last three years board
ed with Mrs. Price, her liberal payment
and well-chosen gifts helping out the
widows straitened income in way all
Of them appreciated. That Aunt Made
line SHOULD go' meant that Jack must
leave school and go to business, that the
little ones could have no new suits that
winter, that only bare necessities could
be bought, perhaps not even these. Yet
Mrs. Price felt afraid to interfere fur
ther with Ktty's choice of husband
1t was true that the rich Rufus CLARK
seemed to others fully as good a man,
kind, steady and devoted, as Herbert
Huntley, who had small salary and no
bright prospects. But Kitty .unfortu-
nately loved Herbert before Rufus APP
peared on the field, and she did not be-
lieve her aunt Madeline, who assured her
that Herbert would take to drink" OF
let her support herself and her family
after a few years.
Aunt Madeline had made love match
herself, and It had not turned out well.
She. too, had been loved by rich man,
and by one who, If not poor, was not
blessed with much of this worlds goods.
She persisted in marrying her choice, re-
verses had come and he, a weak charac-
ter, could not bear trials, resorted to
stimuants to cheer him up, and at last
was for years dependent upon his wife
for his home and support. The rich low
er never married, and just when Mrs.
Joyce (Aunt Madeline) was preparing to
90 to work to earn her own support he
died, leaving his one love his large for
tune. Judging by her own experience
Aunt Madeline had some excuse for ad-
vocating marrying for money instead of
for love; but "all lovers don't turn out
So" Kitty argued, and was sure that
manly Herbert, who had supported his
sister for years and was thoroughly tried
by repeated disappointments and re-
verses, was very different from weak,
vacillating Henry Joyce.
81 won't give him up. ought not to-
l can't" the girl was just repeating
when her gentle mother knocked at heI
door. Mrs. Price was one of those WON
en- who never entered child's room with
out knocking. She respected each ones
privacy, and perhaps it was for that rea
son that her children confded so fully il
her. taking her as their one confdant
"Come in, Motherdy. can see Aun
Madeline has been tormentng you again
: Why doesn't she come to me instead Of
worrying you? l think 1t mean, and Iv'
good mind to tell her So"
'You won't have a chance, my dear
your aunt is going to leave tonight"
leave! for good2 o mother! and
have done this when you need the hell
she gives so much! l wish" and Kit
tvs voice sounded so hesitatingly tina
! Mrs. Price ventured one last appeal.
kitty, dear, it is n sacrifice, and one
Z cannot ask of you, but if you make it o
, your own free will you are doing grea
and unselhsh thing. Rufus Clark woul
: take Jim into his employ, your aun
would see Jack through college, Mimi
, would have luxurious home with you
: moving in the best society, If anythin
, happens to me-and Rufus Is as good a
q HERBERT cannot but think your likin
= would soon grow as warm for him as 70
, your early love"
:, The girls face was white and fixed
She loved her brothers and little siste
c devotedly, and then, too, had not her dy
v ing father begged her to be a true eide
t sister to them? He might have fort
e seen some trial like this, for only a da
4 or two before he died he said to Kilt!
>. when she sat alone with him.
"My girl, you have hard lot befor
'' you-the eldest daughter Of a poo
+ widow-you may have to sacrifice
3 bright future for the sake Of your orpha
IS brothers and sister; but do 1t cheerful.
II bravely, and unselfshly and God wi
IS make such sacrifice work out for you
II far more exceeding and eternal weigl
m Of glory"
N These words seemed ringing in Il
- poor girls ears. She must not dri'
Aunt Madeline from her mother. 81
10 must not deprive her brothers of Ruff
lie aid. or Minnie of the safe refuge 81
to could command for her If she gave
Herbert. With pale lips, the girl sal
wait a moment, mother; III speak
Aunt Madeline; only let me sit alone
IT while
n The mother, frightened at the girl
looks, yet knowing how good and true
20 man Rufus Clark was, left the rool
10 though longing to uphold her girl in b
. first decision, and Kitty sat alone, n
wavering now, only waiting until
10 should grow dusk that her face might Il
10 betray her.
Meanwhile Mrs. Joyce was packii
her trunks and boxes, for she was a q
termined woman. and meant to keep n
III word. A friend had repeatedly urged D
to come and keep "Old maids hall WI
her, and sometimes when the boys we
~ particularly Quarrelsome and noisy Au
Madeline had felt inclined TO accept a
n, had hinted as much to Miss Mills' W
often said she would expect her at a
time" SO now she telegraphed to b
ton that she was to come by the mig
Ct train, and went to work at her pack
to keep down the feelings Of regret a
m compunction that threatened to oT
= whelm her. She decided she would I
pack all, but send or come for the re
and thought with relief that she ne