The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-10-30
AUNT CYNTHIA
forlginaI.1

to his home a telegram was handed
him. A cloud gathered on his brow.
What Is ltT asked his bride anx-
iously.
"Uncle Frank Is dead"
"WeIl7"
'That means trouble for us. Aunt
Cynthia has been very near to me.
am her only near kin. And must
give her a home"
II have heard that your aunt IL q
delightful old lady"
"she Is, but she has suffered much,
and her nerves are unstrung. Uncle
Frank understood her condition, and
now that he Is gone alone understand
It. He as her husband and by dlspo-
sition was well fitted to bear with her,
to comfort and encourage her. For this
she will now look to me-"
Friends, relatives, connections, walt
cd expectantIy to discover II Reginald
would provide a home for his aunt.
They said nothing to him, but the wom-
en- cackled among themselves. They
did not doubt that Reginald would do
his duty, but they wondered If his wife
would permit him to do It. The young
couple satisfied the family's expecta-
lions by inviting Aunt Cynthia to make
her home with them, and she removed,
bag and baggage, to their house. She
was naturally frank, impulsive. gener-
ous-indeed. among those who were not
constantly with her was very popular.
ha Gta haw- -
which she had managed for forty years,
to the position Of guest In the house
hold of Martha Crane.
shell make 1t hot for us both"
remarked the young man to himself,
but to his wife he said he sincerely
hoped the old lady would be happy In
her new home and make them happy
too The VGa Wrinkle family, who were
most interested In Aunt Cynthia's vel
fare, waited and watched to see how
their relative would be treated, espe-
claliy by Martha 1t was not long be-
fore they learned from the old lady
herself that, while Reginald was the
perfection Of kindness, he had made
a very unfortunate marriage Aunt
Cynthia was one Of those persons who
must have conhdants, and. honestly be.
lleving that she was being very badly
treated by her nephew's wife, she
poured tale OF woe into the ears Of
every relative Her defense OF Regl-
maid counted for nothing with these
people. because they said he knew
when he married Martha Grant that
his uncle would not live long and his
aunt would need a home; therefore
be should not have married at all.
This was the position taken by the
Van Wrinkle family. and Peter Van
Wrinkle, when the old lady one day
hounced out OF her nephew's house and
vowed she would no longer live with
a woman VIII lrsisted In III treating
her, cut Reginald on the street. Other
relatives followed suit, and It was not
long before the young couple were
estranged from every one of the hus-
bands family
A singular feature OF diseord Is that
/ II Is catching After an explosion with
Aunt Cynthia the nerves of the hus-
/ band and wife were so rasped that
they at times fell to quarrellng. Every
/ couple has Its own troubles to meet
without being called upon to suffer
needless complications, and the Cranes
had theirs, The two together 50 wore
on them that they We're at times In but
little better condition than Aunt
/ Cynthia. So II got out, through Aunt
7 Cynthia, that Martha Crane was a
shrew and poor dear Reggie was hav-
ing a terrible life with her. This story
/ was confirmed when at last Reginald
broke down with nervous prostratlon.
Peter Van Wrinkle heard OF It on his
way TO prayer meeting and mentioned
+ Il Ia bis address 10 the heavenly
throne. calling the Lords attention to
the consequences Of persons not do
Ing their duty.
/ Reginald got better after awhile. but
the aunt. not finding another home
i suited TO her taste. came back and set.
tied again with the Cranes Mrs. Crane
became more and more rasped losing
/ fesh all the while. tn at last one
spring she was obliged to 20 into the
country early and recruit, Aunt
i Cynthia begged 10 50, too. but by this
time Reginald aud Martha, who saw
I that unless they could got a rest for a
time they would both have to go to
en- asylum. aatly demurrsd
why not spend your summer with
the Van wlnklssf' they augRegtsd.
i But the Van Wrinkles had their plans
all formed, and these did not include
Aunt Cynthia. They oil went to their
/ eountry places and each wrote to the
| other; just think Of poor Aunt
Cynthia getting through the long sum.
mer as best she can. would IKE to
tear the hearts-lf they had hearts
I OF her nerhew and his vixen wife"
Not only did the summer plans OF the
relatives not include Aunt Cynthia. but
when they were az home their invita-.
tons TO her were limited. She was
handy with her needle, and whenever
sewing was to be done Il was Dear
I amt EssnVhta s.s,st,ss ar,A 2,.t..k s.-ata. -.