The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-02-19
KEITA's AUNT
by MILDRED WHITE

i nenTa or MISS Abigail fefeohe
when I went TO live with Aunt Rme-
tines family. You sse, was left q n
poor relation alone IN the world and
It was decided that while the question
Of my future career was under con-
slderation. should make myself use
full In the home Of my knsfolk. And
though Aunt Emeiins kept cook,
found many duties to occupy my
time Ny socially ambitious cousins.
Geraldine aud Inez. left me few idle
hours. with their sewing and various
errRnds.
must marry money, while Inez should
go abroad to study art. So there was
excitement In the house when II was
known that Keith Persons was coming
for visit.
Keith was the nephew and heir OF
the rich and eccentric Miss Abigail.
and Aunt Eneline and this same Abb
gall had been classmates at college
Through this old mountaineering.
Aunt Emeline's daughter had been
privileged 70 meet the good-looking
and altogether desirable Keith. But
the letter announcing his coming visit
caused apprehension. fer he was bring
ing his Aunt Abigail to spend two
weeks with her old friend.
Never In my life have I met one 40
downright dlss yrecsble ss abe appear
cd. 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. II was remarkable how he
respected her judgment. And when
I 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 II happened that
grew to think OF nothing else but
Keith. though you may be sure that
tried to Danish the foolishness. But
II would not he banished' because Il
was love-loYe. the unexpected, tho
unreasonable. Was II not the most
unreasonable thing in the world for a
poor relation to set her humble little
cap for a king? For surely Keith Per-
sons was king, with his travelled and
confident ways and his assured for
| tune in the future. Besides, he was
Geraldlne'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 enrs ], alone, so forgot
myself ms TO speak back to the old
creature. Az ! hurried to and fro
With the daintiest china for her serv-
ice, she flung out TO me a remark to
the effect that II was quite useless for
me to also gain her favor as Keith
would doubtless and wife Of his own
seeking. Then and there / told Miss
Abigail Persons how ia scorn money
which had brought 70 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.
Ilonged to see again tho humorous
light that came occasionally to abb
gail PersonS eyea And when Aunt
Emeline told me that they had re-
ceiVed q letter telling OF an opera
ton which had been performed on the
cid lady's eyes, and how Il was feared
that she would lose her sight, brooks
down and cried, II seemed so pitiful
J that she might never realize sunshine
anywhere Then came the disturbing
telegram.
Keith was bringing his aunt back t.
be nursed In the home OF her friend
l When she arrived at evening, Keith
half carrying her from the taxi, Mlsi
/ Abigail's formerly sharp bright eyei
were hidden by large brown glasses
Her sight would no doubt come bach
later, she told us snappishly. As Miss
| Abigail could not see. II was consider
ed unnecessary to put her I'm the daint!
guest room, so she had my small room
at the end Of the hall. Silken cover
lets also seemed superfiuOus where
eyes could not see colors, so Geraldine
brought out the old ones. When tht
family was out, would carry up the
lowered china that the old lady had
loved. and when she spilled things OF
the forbidden tray cloth, ! would wash
II quickly and have II ironed before
Geraldine knew. Embroidered linens
Geraldine said, were not essential
Aud when looked at Keith's picture
IN It's frame on Miss Abigail's dresser
knew that had loved the wrinkles
10 her eyes because they were lik'
Keith's and kissed his picture befor'
| realized what was doing. For jus
one moment ! was glad Of Miss Abb
galrs blindns 20, Then her voice
erouycd me- end I turned 10 find he
folding her dark glasses away. so,