Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-11-11
AUNT HOPE WILL
TONS JEWELS

/ NAN OMAg 0nt MhO AtANln ever NONRn uII
was Hope Sterling. her uiece's daugh-
ter. Boys were her special aversion
and she bad never forgiven Hopes
brothers for existing. but from the
hour Of the little girls birth her love
for the child was unbounded and she
insisted on christening her Hope
Wilton Sterling.
Now, Janet. I'm a-goin' to have
my say in the rearin' Of this young
one. Goodness knows I've never In
terfered with those imps Of boys, but
want Hope to be @ woman OF sense
and if I have anything left after sup
portin' this Eoud-for-nothing family.
she'll get IT," These were her first
words as she looked into the blue
eyes Of the new baby Mrs. sterlings
heart sank as her fond eyes pictured
her little house ruled by the dominat.
ing spirit OF the woman she had fear
ed In her own childhood but she
dared not protest as Aunt Wilton
held the mortgage on their home and
her temper was very uncertain. be-
sides her money had paid many long
standing bills
One night when Hope was n Aunt
Wilton called her into her room. Her
face was full OF determination as she
said:
Hope. I asked you TO come in as
want to give you this old jewel case
tonight. It bein' your birthday You're
not to open 1t TN you're u. remem-
Der, and then you1l have sense enough
to take care OF what's inside"
The first tears that the Sterling
family had ever seen in Aunt Wiltons
eyes were glistening behind her black
rimmed glasses. and she put out her
arms to the girl. but quickly drew
them back. Hope looked appealingly
at her. but she did not speak She
knew that emotion with her aunt
must pass unnoticed.
Nov. child, " resumed Aunt Wilton,
remember what I've told you and
keep this case in remenbrance Of
your cross old Aunt Wilton and think
of her in. love sometimes
The girl kissed her, thanking her
again and again, and promising 20
leave the case untouched until she
gave her permission to open it.
"In not be here. Hope. to give you
permission. but when you're 21 un-
lock the case" These were her last
words. ab in the morning they found
her In her last sleep. Her hands held
Hopes baby picture, and so she had
faced death alone, not crying out be-
cause she had never asked aid in her
life
That night in family council Hope
told her parents Of the Jewel case
Aunt Wilton had LETT her
I'm going to put it away in my
treasure trunk, mother, and not touch
It till | am 21." And no persuasion
could change her decision So the
old case was laid away and forgotten
by all but Hope
We'll. said Mr.. Sterling, q don't
see where Aunt Wilton got all her
money from. She must have left
something. No doubt Wen hear from
some lawyer regarding a will. know
she held more mortgages than ours,
but she never could do things like
other folks and ! wouldn't be sur.
prised to find her clothes lined with
money"
But search failed to disclose any
thing left by Aunt Hope Wilton. And
so four years slipped by and Il was
the night Of Hopes 21st birthday. She
sat in their little parlor with Rob
Brent at her side. looking trustingly
into the future and planning cheer
fully as she had done. during the two
years Of theiI engagement
Why are you so discouraged to.
night, Rob? Perhaps in the next two
years we can save enough to be mar
ried and by that time your sisters viii
be big enough to help YOU make
home for your mother, The mortgage
on your place has run so long with
out trouble why should you worry
now"
Il hate to see you working so hard.
little girl, to keep your family going"
Never mind me Rob. i've worked
ever since Aunt Wilton died. and
that's four years ago tonight I've
told you about the old jewel case she
gave me and told ne TO open on my
2lst birthday. haven't +? Let's can
father ana mother in and all open II
together"
The rusty hinges Of the old case
creaked, disclosing the contents to
their sstonished eyes. There were
four distinct gasps Of surprise, ana
there instead of letters and old jew
elry they had expected 10 find wers
gold pieces. packed TO the top Of the
case.
Why. mother. it isn't iewelry a,
all" cried Hope weakly. Just look
here's the mortgage papers on odr
farm. and Rob, here's yours, and I
hold 1t now"
Where the silk OF the I'D was torn
away Aunt Wilton had stuffed these
papers and an envelope marked "se.
curities
Guess youu be q rich woman,
Hope" said her father in an awe
stricken tone. but Hope did not hear
him. Her eyes were fixed on Rob
Brent's pale face.
20, Rob. we won't have TO wait
now" she cried, but proud and
doubtful look overshadowed Rob's
features for moment until he looked
into her happy face. and his own
cleared. Taking both her hands he
cried;
God bless Aunt Hope Wilton"
And Hope breathed. a fervent