The spectator., 1921-04-29
KEITH'S AUNT
By MILDRED WHITE
0e. 1921, Western Newspaper union)

when l went to live with Aunt Eme- lines family. You see, l was left q poor relation alone in the world, and 1t was decided that while the question of my future career was under con sideratiQA l should make myself use- ful in tM home of my kinsfolk. And though Aunt Eneline 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.
 It was understood that Geraldine must marry money. while 1nez should go abroad to study art. So there was excitement in the house when 1t was known that Keith Persons was coming for Il visit.
 Keith was the nephew and heif of the rich and eccentric Miss Abigail, and Aunt Emelne and this same Abi- gail had been classmates at college. Through this old acquaintanceship. Aunt Emelne'S daughter had been privileged tu meet the good-lookinS 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 l met one so downright disagreeable aS she appear ed II was impossible to he naturally nl hnf h,.t. For Miss Abigail was aware that the eager attention bestowed upon herself was not bestowed because of affection, but in the hope only ot gaining her favor where Keith was concerned.
 The aggressive old lady exercised Il great influence over her good natured nephew IL was remarkable Low he respected her Judgment. And when I mention Keith--Well. I'd better not mention him too much for aS l came to see him day hy day in my aunts home. listening to his kindly voice and seeing the kindly twinkles in his deep gray eyes. why II happened that l grew to think of nothing else hut Keith. though you may he sure that tried to baniSh the foolishnesS. But II would not he haniShed because IL N:S love, lhr unexpected. the unreasonable Was it not the most unrea sonable thing In the world for n poor relation to set her humble little cap for q king? For surely Keith Per SonS WAS king. with his travelled and Il tune in the future. Resides, he was Geraldiae'S king.
 Aunt Emcline had decided that. So everyone was wonderfully agreeable td Miss Abigail during her visit. and her sarcasms and unpleasant chuckles fell on deaf earS. l, alone, So forgot myself us to speak back to the old creature. As l hurried to and fro with the daintesr china for her serv- ice, she flung out Ia me q remark to the effect that II was quite useless for me to also gain her favor as Keith would doubtless find Il wife of his own seeking Then and there l told Miss Abigail Persons how I'd srorn money which had brought to her only Suspi- cion of her fellow creatures.
 And kept out of Keith'S way more than ever after that Then, abruptly one day Miss Persons went away :: her nephew escorted her to her home city.
 l longed to see again the humorous light that came occasionally Ia Abi@ gail Persons eyes And when Aunt Emeline told me that they had re- ceiNed Il letter telling of an opera lion which had been performed on he old lady'S eyes. and how II was feared that she would lose her sight l broke down and cried II seemed SD pitiful that she might never realize sunshine anywhere Then came the disturbing telegram.
 Keith was bringing his aunt back to he nurSed in the home of her friend When she arrived at evening. Keith half carrying her from The taxi. Miss AhigaiIs formerly sharp bright eyes were hidden by large brown gn>SeS. Her sight would no doubt come back later, she told uS SnappiShly. AS Miss Abigail could not see. 1t was consider ed unnecessary To put her in lhe dainty guest room, so she had my small room at the end of the hall. Slken cover lets also seemed SuperfluouS where eyes could not see colorS. sSo Geraldine brought out the old ones. When the family was out, l would carry mp the lowered china that the old lady had loved, and when she spilled things on the forbidden tray cloth. l would wash it quickly and have 1t irnned before Geraldine knew. Embroidered linens, Geraldine said. were not essential And when 1 looked at keith'S picture in it's frame on Miss AbigailS dresser. l knew that had loved the wrinkles in her eyes because they were like keithS and kissed his picture before realized what l was doing For just one moment 1 was glad of Miss Abi gals blindness. Then her voice aroused me and turned to find her folding her dark glasses away. "So," " Sha said gently "you do trulv love my