Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-01-21
KEITH'S AUNT
BY MILDRED WHITE
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&c. 1891. Western Newspaper Union.)


lines family. You see. 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, ! should make myself use
full in the home Of my l;insfolk. And
though Aunt Emeline kept cook. 1
found many duties to occupy my
time. My socially ambitious cousins
Geraldine and lneZ, left me few idle
hours. w!tE their sewing and various
crraud>.
! It WIS understood that Geraldine
! must marry money, while Inez should
| go abroad TO study art. 80 there was
excitement In the house when i W.
. known that Keith Persons was coming
| for visit.
Keith WAS the nephew and heir of
the rich and eccentric Ms: Abigail,
and Aunt Emclipa "nd lls.S s,i,.,:ii' A't-
gail had hcrr CLASSMATES at cu.,eee.
Through this old acquulntanceship
Aunt Emeline's daughter had been
privileged to meet the goOd-lo0kinS
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 rs she appear
ed. It was impossible to be naturally
pleasing before her brusQue surcasns.
For Miss Abigail was aware that the
enger 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 a
great influence over her good natured
nephew. 1t was remarkable how he
respected her Judgment. And when
I mention Keith-well. I'd better not
mention him too much for rs I came
to see him dry by dry In my aunt's
home. listening to his kindly voice
and seeing the kindly wrinkles in his
deep gray eyes. why 1t happened TINT
l grew to think of nothing else but
Keith. though you may he sure TINT
tried to Danish the foolishness. But
1t would not be banished because 1t
was love-love. the unexpected. the
unreasonable. Was 1t not the most
unreasonable thing In the world for n
poor relation to set her humble little
cap for 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
Geraldine's king.
Aunt Emeline had decided that. So
to Miss Abigail during her visit, md
her sarcasms and unpleasant chuckles
fell on deaf ears. /, alone. so forgot
myself as to speak back to the old
creature. AS l Hurried TO and fro
with the daintiest china for her serv-
Ice, she flung out to ME q remark to
the erect that 1t was quite useless for
me to also gain her favor rs Keith
would doubtless find wife of his own
seeking. Thcn and there / told Miss
Abigail rci,oas how I'd scoTn money
which lad brought t. h"r only susp:-
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;
y" n"rh"w escorted her TO her home
city.
1 longcd TO see again the humorous
light that came occasionally 10 Ahi
gail Persons eyes. And when Amt
Emeline told me that they he'd re-
ceived letter telling Of an opera
ton which had been performed Oh the
old lady's eyes, hhd how 1t was feared
that she would lose her Sight, broke
down and cried. 1t seemed so Eitfral
that she might never realize .stAshihe
anywhere. Then came the disturbing
telegram.
Keith was bringing his aunt back to
be nursed IL tte home of her friend.
When she ARRIVED az evening. Keith
half carrying her from the taxi, Miss
Abigail formerly, sharp. bright eyes
were hidden by large brown glasses
Ster sight would no doubt come back
later. she told us snappishly. AS Mis-:
Abigail could not see, 1t was consider
ed unnecessary to put her in the dnint.
guest room, so she had my small room
Mt the end Of the hall. Silken cover
lets also seemed supertluous wher'
eyes could not see colOrs. so Geraldin
brought out the old ones. When TIL
family was out, l would carry up tn
lowered chinn that the old lady hn,
loved. and when she spilled things o.
the forbidden tray cloth, I would was
It quickly and have 1t ironed befor
Geraldine knew. Embroidered linen.
Geraldine said, were not essenua
And when looked at Keith's pictur
In It's frame on Miss Abigail's dresse
knew that had loved the twinkle
IN her eyes because they were iik
Kaitf,,a nnd klasnl his nicfnr. hcfoI