Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-02-12
Aunt MadeIine's Valentine.


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81 ND the girl cings to this silly no.
/A\ ton? It's preposterous! IL you
as don't make her give up that poor
fellow and accept Rufus Clark, I'll have
no more to do with any of you. l 50
tonight unless the girl gives in. She's
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 persuasons were powerless with 10y
al Kitty Price.
Kitty, the eldest of the widows four
children, had been Aunt Madeine'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 II 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
be bought, perhaps not even these. Yet
Mrs. Price felt afraid to interfere fur
ther with Kitty's choice of husband.
1t was true that the rich Rufus Clark
seemed to others fully as good 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" 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 rich man,
and by one who, IL 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 md support. The rich low
er never married, and just when Mrs.
Joyce (Aunt Madeline) was preparing to
60 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 adj
vocating marrying for money instead of
for love; but AL 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.
81 won't give him up. l 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 conidant.
Come in, Motherdy. l can see Aunt
Madeline has been tormenting you again.
Why doesn't she come to me instead of
worrying you? 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 mother! and l
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 a sacrifice, and one l
cannot ask of you, but IL you make it of
your own free will You are doing a great
and unseltish thing. Rufus Clark would
take Jim into his employ. your aunt
woud see Jack through college, Minnie
would have a luxurious home with you,
moving in the best society, if anything