Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1921-01-15
KEITH'S AUNT
BY MILDRED WHITE


WHEN L WeuC 10 i've WIFI Aunt Eluc-
lines family. You see, 1 was left a
poor relation alone in the world, and
1t was decided that while the question
of my future career was under con-
sideration, 1 should make myself use
full in the home of my kinsfolk. And
though Aunt Emeline kept cook,
found many duties to occupy my
time. My socially ambitious cousins,
Geraldine and Inez, left me few idle
hours, with their sewing and various
errands.
1t was understood that Geraldine
must marry money, while Inez should
go abroad to study art. So there was
excitement in the house when it was
known that Keith Persons was coming
for a visit.
Keith was the nephew and heir Of
the rich and eccentric Miss Abigail,
and Aunt Emeline and this same Abb
gail had been classmates at college.
Through this old acquaintanceship,
Aunt Emeline's daughter had been
privileged to meet the good-looking
and altogether desirable Keith. But
the letter announcing his coming visit
caused apprehension, for he was bring
ing his Aunt Abigail to spend two
weeks with her old friend.
Never in my life have met one so
downright disagreeable as she appear.
ed. 1t was impossible to be naturally
pleasing before her brusque sarcasms.
For Miss Abigail was aware that the
eager attention bestowed upon herself
was not bestowed because of affection,
but in the hope only of gaining her
favor where Keith was concerned.
The aggressive old lady exercised
great influence over her. good natured
nephew. 1t was remarkable how he
respected her judgment. And when
1 mention Keith-well, I'd better not
mention him too much for as / came
to see him day by day in my aunt's
home, listening to his kindly voice
and seeing the kindly wrinkles in his
deep gray eyes, why it happened that
I grew to think of nothing else but
Keith, though you may be sure that
tried to Danish the foolishness. But
it would not be banished because it
was love-love, the unexpected, the
unreasonable Was it not the most
unreasonable thing in the world for
poor relation to set her humble little
cap for king? For surely Keith Per-
sons was a king, with his travelled and
nd ic
tune in the future. Besides, he was
Geraldine's king.
Aunt Emeline had decided that. So
everyone was wonderfully agreeable
to Miss Abigail during her visit, and
her sarcasms and unpleasant chuckles
fell on deaf ears. I, alone, so forgot,
myself as to speak back to the old
creature. AS 1 hurried to and fro
with the daintiest china for her serv-
ice, she flung out to me a remark to
the effect that it was quite useless for
me to also gain her favor as Keith
would doubtless find wife of his own
seeking. Then and there I told Miss
Abigail Persons how I'd scorn money
which had brought to her only suspi-
cion of her fellow creatures.
And kept ont of Keiths way more
than ever after that. Then, abruptly
one day, Miss Persons went away;
her nephew escorted her to her home
city.
I longed to see again the humorous
light that came occasionally to Abb
gail Persons eyes. And when Aunt
Emeline told me that they had re-
ceived letter telling of an opera
ton which had been performed on the
old lady's eyes, and how it was feared
that she would lose her sight, broke
down and cried. 1t seemed so pitiful
that she might never realize sunshine
anywhere. Then came the disturbing
telegram.
Keith was bringing his aunt back to
be nursed in the home Of her friend.
When she arrived at evening, Keith
half carrying her from the taxi, Miss
Abigail's formerly sharp bright eyes
were hidden by large brown glasses.
Her sight would no doubt come back
later, she told us snappishly. AS Miss
Abigail could not see, it was consider
ed unnecessary to put her in the dainty
guest room, so she had my small room
at the end of the hall. Silken cover
lets also seemed superfuous where
eyes could not see colors, so Geraldine
brought out the old ones. When the
family was out, I would carry up the
lowered china that the old lady had
loved, and when she spilled things Oh
the forbidden tray cloth, would wash
1t quickly and have 1t ironed before
Geraldine knew. Embroidered linens,
Geraldine said, were not essential.
And when looked at Keith's picture
in it's frame on Miss Abigail's dresser,
I knew that I had loved the wrinkles
in her eyes because they were like
Keith's and kissed his picture before
I realized what was doing. For just
one moment l was glad of Miss Abb
CALLS blindness. Then her voice
aroused me, and I turned to find her
folding her dark glasses away. $50"