Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-02-04
Aunt Machines Valentine.
NO<<cO000"

81 ND the girl clings to this silly no
/A\ zion? It's preposterous. If You
0A don't make her give up that poor
fellow and accept Rufus Clark. I'll have
40 more to do with any of you. | go
Tonight unless the girl gives in. She's
your daughter; make her obey And
Aunt Madeline walked ont of the ROOM
leaving her niece-gentle, helpless Mrs.
Price-in despair, for we'll she knew that
her persuasions were powerless with 10y
al Kitty Price.
Kitty the eldest Of the widows four
children, had been Aunt Madelines pro-
tege for years. Ever since her fathers
death the child had been clothed aud edu-
rated by this aunt of Mr.. Prices, a 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 CO. 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
he bought, perhaps not even these Yet
Mrs Price felt afraid to interfere fur
ther with Kitty's choice of husband.
Ii was true that the rich Rufus Clark
seemed to others fully as good a man.
kind, steady and devoted, as Herbert
IIuntiey, who had Il small salary and no
bright prospects. But Kitty nnfortu-
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" or
let her support herself and her family
after a few years.
Aunt Madeline had made a love match
herself and it had not turned out well.
She, too, had been loved by rich man.
aud 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. IA weak charac
ter could not bear trials. resorted to
stlmuants to cheer him up, and at last
Vas for years dependent upon his wife
for his home and support. The rich low
er never married. and just when Mrs.
Joyce (Aunt MadeIine) was preparing to
go 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 sfor adj
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.
vacilating Henry Joyce
Il won't give him up | ought not to.
I can't" the girl was just repeating.
when her gentle mother knocked mt 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 conidnnt.
Come in. Motherdy. can see Aunt
Madeline has been tormentihg, YOU again.
Why doesn't she come to me instead of
worrying you? think it mean. and I've
q good mind to tell her So
you won't have chance my dear:
your aunt is going to leave tonight"
"Leave! for good? o mother. and |
have done this when you need the help
she gives so much! | wish" and. Kit
tvs voice sounded so hesitatingly that
Mrs. Price ventured one last appeal.
kitty, dear it is n sacrifice. and one |
cannot ask OF you. but il You make it of
your own free will you are doing n great
and unsefsh thing. Rufus Clark would
take Jim into his employ. your aunt
would see Jack through college. Minnie
would have "A luxurious home with yon.
moving in the best society. if anything
happens to me-and Rufus is rs good as
Iierbert-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
deVotedly. and then. too had not her dy-
Ing fHther begged her to be a true elder
sister to them? He might have fore
seen some trial like this, for only day
or two before he died he said to Kitty.
wien she sat alone with him.
My girl, you have a hard lot before
youthe eldest daughter OF poor
widoW-you may have to sacrifice
bright future for the sake OF your orphan
brothers and sister: hut do it cheerfully.
braveIy. 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 she
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 a
while"
The mother. frightened at the girls
looks. yet knowing how good and true a
man Rufus Clark was. left the room.
though longing to uphold her girl In her
first decision. and Kitty sat alone. not
wavering now, only waiting until it
should grow dusk that her face might not
betray her.