Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-02-10
Aunt Madelino's Valentine.

~%~ uOu I make uer give uP tudS POVA
fellow and accept Rufus Clark, I'll have
no more to do with any Of you. l go
tonight unless the girl gives in. She's
your daughter; make her obeyW And
Aunt Madeline walked out Of the room,
leaving her niece gentle, helpless Mrs.
Prce-in despair, for well she knew that
her persuasions were powerless with 10y
al Kitty Price.
Kitty, the eldest of the widows four
children, 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 a way all
Of them appreciated. That Aunt Made
tine should go" meant that Jack must
leave school and go to business, that the
llttle 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
thar with Kitty's choice OF husband.
It was true that the rich Rufus Clark
seemed to others fully az good a man,
kind, steady and devoted, as Herbert
Huntley, who had a small salary and no
bright prospects. But Kitty unfortu-
nately loved Herbert before Rufus ap-
pear@d on the field, and she did not be-
lieve her aunt Madeline, who assured her
that Herbert would take to drink" or
let her support herself and her family
after few years
Aunt Madeline had made a love match
herself, and it had not turned out well.
She too, had been loved by a 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
stimulants 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
20 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
CO., Kitty argued, and was sure that
manly Herbert, who had supported his
gigtsr for years and was thoroughly tried
by repeated disappointments and re-
verses, was very different from weak,
vaciIlating Henry Joyce.
II won't give him up. I ought not to.
can't" the girl was just repeating,
when her gentle mother knocked at her
door, Mrs. Price was one Of those wom-
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 IN
her, taking her as their one confidant
'Come In, Motherdy. l can see Aunt
Madeline has been tormenting you again
Why doesn't she come to me instead Of
worrying your think it mean, and I've
a good mind to tell her so.''
You won't have a chance, my dear;
your aunt is going to leave tonight
leave! for good? o motherl and
have done this when you need the help
ahs gives so much! I wish" and Kit
TVS voice sounded so hesitatingly that
Mrs. Price ventured one last appeal
"Kltty, dear it is a sacrifice, and one
cannot ask of you, bat If you make it Of
your own free will you are doing a great
and unselfsh thing. Rufus Clark would
take Jim into his employ, your aunt
would see Jack through college, Minnie
would have luxurious home with you.
moving In the best society, IL anything
happens to me-and Rufus is as good as
He-bert-I cannot but think your liking
would soon grow as warm for him as for
your early love-"
The girls face was white and fixed.
She loved her brothers and little sister
AevOtedly, and then, too, had not her dy-
ing father begged her to be a true elder
sister to them? He might have fore
seen some trial like this, for only a day
or two before he died he said to Kitty,
when she sat alone with him.
my girl, you have a hard lot before
you-Ghs eldest daughter OF a poor
widow-you may have to sacrifice a
bright future for the sake of your orphan
brothers and sister; but do it cheerfully,
bravely, and unselfshly and God will
make such sacrifice work out for you
far more exceeding and eternal weight
OF glory"
These words seemed ringing In the
poor girls ears. She must not drive
Aunt Madeline from her mother. She
must not deprive her brothers OF Rufus
aid. or Minnie Of the safe refuge shs
could command for her If she gave up
Herbert With pale lips, the girl said:
Wait a moment, mother; I'll speak to
Aunt Madeline; only let me sit alone q
while"
The mother, frightened at the girls
socks, yet knowing how good and true a
man Rufus Clark was, left the room,
though longing to uphold her CIR, In her
first decision, and Kitty sat alone, not
wavering now, only waiting until 1t
should grow dusk that her face might not
betrsy her