Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1905-07-14


subdued in her manner-with slight
ly perceptible touch of shyness, and
a slow way of speaking, which an
noyed us both exceedingly.
We agreed, however, that the aunt
was a sweet old lady, exactly like
an Old World picture or a bygone ro-
mance-just the type one instinctively
associates with an atmosphere OF Ia
yender and faded rose petals.
Her one idea in life-indeed, nearly
all her interest-seemed centered on
the only human being she had left to
love-her grandniece, Lillian.
1t was really too pathetic to hear
her talk; l mean when one saw the
girl, for she spoke as if she possessed
all the graces and charms of beauty
and the attributes of genius in en-
bryo; whereas, in reality, she was, as
l mentioned before, most ordinary
looking, commonplace little person,
with nothing to redeem her rather
plain features but a pleasant, though
rare, smile, which lit up her face for
a moment, and quite changed its ex-
precision.
The pathos, however, lay in the fact
that little, old Miss Lavender" as
we had, with common consent, chris
tened the old lady, could never see the
smile, or, indeed, anything in the
world around her, for she was totally
blind.
Not for her did the sun turn the
glistening dewdrops On their tiny lawn
into diamonds or tie sweet-scented,
old-fashioned flowers in the little Dor
der spring forth into glowing colors as
she passed, a sad-looking, old figure,
though with a certain dignity of her
own, down the tiny, gravel path be-
tween the lilies and roses, which
stretched in a row TO the little, green,
wooden gate.
Yet one wonders if, after all, there
were not compensations. loving her
niece as she did, it would have been
agony to her sensitive heart to see
Sow the girl was sometimes passed
over among her more favored com
panions; or, when other girls ap
peared, arrayed in all the pristine
freshness of crisp, new muslins, or
soft silks, Lillian still came out in her
well worn-white cashmere. We used
to call it MRS. Noah" then, and laugh
secretly at its regular reappearsnce
each highday and holiday. How little
we knew! 1t was only the other day
l found my sister Molly kneeling be-
fore a funny little box sofa in Miss
Lavender's best bedroom, shedding a
quiet tear over something inside, and
when l stole over to see what the
contents were which caused my usual
ly light-hearted sister to weep, found
her holding a fold of the historic cash.
mere in her hands.
1t made a lump rise In my throat
too, and 1 turned quickly away, and
crept softly downstairs, to where the
pathetic, old figure, in it's dainty, lace
cap and fchu, sat IN the sunshine
on the little lawn.
She looked up as l approached, with
a smile of welcome, and made room
for me to sit on the seat beside her.
Il heard your footsteps, my dear
and knew you would spare the old
woman little time. for a chat You
know, l have had another letter from
Lilian-the dear child is so happy
and l want to have LITTLE talk about
her with some one who knew her.
The sightless eyes were turned
eagerly toward me, while the fragile
hands fumbled for the letter in the
little, satin work-bag she always car
ried.
How could one have the heart to un
deceive her-to dash the hope from
the brave. old face and the brightness
from her life? 1t would need a drawer
one than l, and we had long ago de-
cided to help Lillian in her deception
and never to, betray her secret to the
loyal, trustful heart which beat fol
her alone AS she said, 1t could not
be for long now, and, after the end
what would it all matter to anyone
except herself?
1t was curious how we all, ever
down to Molly, who was always sc
down on anything not quite above
board, combined to aid Lillian in hel
deception toward Miss Lavender; but
yet, what else could we dof
She had confided in us one day
while we were all three sitting out on
the lawn, and Miss Lavender and my
mother were indoors, having a quiet
chat together.
To this day l don't know what lee
up to it; l rather think it was after
Molly had been holding forth on hel
pet subject of the general uselessness
of most girls lives nowadays, and how
so few realized the obligation of worl
of some sort.
81 consider any sort of work is
noble" she wound up, in her impetu
Gus way; "and, provided it is honest
there is nothing derogatory in a CIR
earning her living by doing some so
called mental task"
Il am quite of your opinion" sale
Lillian, quietly; "and it leads me tt
tell you something which | have de
cided upon doing. You know-or, a
least, no doubt you have guessed,
she continued, flushing painfully
"that we are very poor. You girls
who have almost all that you car
wish for, can hardly realize how poor
or-or-how difficult it is sometimes tt
make both ends even get within I
measurable distance of each other
much less attempt to meet. Well
lately, auntie has lost some money
not much to you, dare say. but Il
us"
She broke off, and looked, with un
seeing eyes, out over the little hedge
and on to the road beyond.
mo, don't say anything, please" al
! opened my lips to speak. Aunt,
has her little annuity enough for he
to live uDon-not in luxury, certainly
but she has simple tastes, and car
manage well enough When it comes
to two-however, there is nothing
more to be said. and SO I-I--'