Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1883-07-13
AURA MERRIAN,s FOLLY.


rlltcll you exactly how il came about,
though am sure as look back al IL all,
| think must have been arazy Al any
rate, know II live to be one hundred
years old, shall never cease 70 turn
hot and cold every time | think of my
folly.
My roommate at Miss Hough's semi
nary was Ellen March. did not like
her at first. She was one of those noisy,
ill-bred girls, who rasp your nerves and
make YOU feel every place is too small
to hold both You and them. We had a
small room, almost closet, and being
the two eldest boardcrs and in the same
classes, Miss Hough allowed us a good
many privileges.
She said to me; al put Ellen March
with you, Aura, because you are one Of
the quietest girls in school, and she is
the most boisterous. There is really no
harm in her, and she seems to like you
SO much that ! think your influence will
tend 10 make her more refined and lady
like
That was the verdict we all pro-
nounced ON Ellen March" No harm in
her.
She was given more money than she
needed, and was generous with every
thing she had Besides this, she was
obliglng and good-natured, and of
course was not to blame if her people
We're uneducated andvulgar and had not
taught her good manners.
But il wood have been better for me
if Ellen had been atermagant in temper
and as mean and selfish as Lizzie Carnes,
who was by-word to every girl in
school
1t was contrary to the rules of the
school for room-mates TO talk after
going to bed, but Ellen would insist
upon keeping up whispered conversa-
tion orhours and hours, when we should
have been asleep.
At first would not answer, for up to
that time had never broken the rules
of the school. Still, | listened, which
was Just as bad. She talked about balls
and parties that she had attended, but
her fayorite topic was beaux, particu-
larly two young men, to both of whom
she said she was engaged
"You see, Aura, 2 she said, "it's the
greatest fun TO see fellows making fools
Of themselves about one. It's just de-
lightful to make them think each is the
favorte, and then see them glare at
each other whenever they meet. Don't
] have fun when one happens to call
when the other is with mel They're as
jealous as eats and so polite to each
otherl | wouldn't miss it for anything.
] don't know yet which I'll marry. Per-
haps | won't marry either of them,
but | wouldn't be without two strings to
my bow, anyhow. How many beaux
have you gotp'
"Not one and I'm glad of it, an
swered, Indignantly. "Do stop this non
sense. Don't you know you're break
ing rnlepn
II don't care if ! an" she an
swered, placidly. 81 didn't come here
to be tied to rules, and pas too rich
for old Hough to be too strict with me.
But Just TO think You're sixteen, apd
YOU re prettier than am, and haven't
got beau! Why, I've had beaux since
was thirteen. And people say if you're
not attractive to gentlemen when you're
young, you never will be; and then, ten
chances to one, you'll be an old maid.
Why, I'd be wretched if the fellows
didn't fall in love with me and | with
them.n
You think, no doubt, | ought to have
been disousted with this conversation.
I was at first. But bv degrees began
10 be interested. and ont of curiosity
read Ellen's loye-letters. which she
used to oct under an assumed name.
and in the spirit of fun | even helped
her 10 answer some of them. You will
hardly believe n but after n time. nm
der the influence of her constant talk. |
beoan 10 feel almost ashamed that |
had no beau. | think Ellen must have
read mv THOUGHTS. for she soon becan
Ia nrai.e her consin. Guy Reeves.
"Sncb snlendid fellowrS she said.
"All tbe oirls are desnerate ahout him
You Arc inst his style for he worships
dark beauties wish he could see Won
know he'd lose his head, and I'd give
gn,,thino 10 see Cuv in love for he lanohs
So n nv little affairs. / wish Won conld
500 something of life Yo1've hecn
broucht M IKE a nun.
Gnv's real name afterwards found
ont was Gideon. but Ellen aid not think
4 suited the romance She was beginnin0
to weave about him She mnst have
written her cousin about me for NOT
lopg aftcr she ala she bad n nossage
tor me and tben mad fron, a Letter r.
lad ;nst received somosbine sbou, bis
s,rsa, desire ~ meet M cousin ! lo,,elv
friend
Of course Won will say that I ougbt
Al have treated this mess,ge with cool
sontcr,nt hnt 1, seor,ed yn,-,, inofgcn.
s;re Wbat harm conld ,bere h. IN 1, ;
,hnnrbt - merelv renl;ed IN =
t.ntor3no ,vov. avail he WON'T 90
t;s 49, :, ppt othcr messsces 'ol.
Lowell nntl one dav Filen 81 erea, *.
o;,ouo.nt toot me ss;5e and sa7d.
20 Ana, sent CIV xo,r ,ho,o.
,r.,b inst a. lool ~ n xos tnow ,nS
80. ,.on, re TOO hcs6,ifui for auv.
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