Wichita eagle., 1888-06-20
A MISUNDERSTANDING

Miss Campioni was . little restless She
had dressed for dinner some time previously,
and now moved backwards and forwards
from her post Of observation at the window
to consult the little Swiss clock hanging over
the writing TABLETOP her eyes were not as
good as they had been.
There were few people living who were very
dear to her. and Of these she was expecting
this evening the two whom she loved best In
the worid-her goddaughter and namesake,
Betty Carew, and Colin Csmpion, her
nephew.
She had definite object in view In bring
ing these young people together. A few
weeks before she had had an attack of bron-
chitis, and this illness bad suggested to her
the advisability Of making her will When
she began to consider how she should divide
her property between Betty and Colin her
heart seemed torn asunder. She could not
calmly contemplate her old Lace and china
and all her favorite personal possessions go
ing out of the family, for she wanted Betty
to have them. Colin must, Of course. have
the little estate, but then, too, be must have
the money to keep it up, for she did not wish
Forde to be neglected after her death.
at length an idea occurred to her which,
If carried out, would obvia3e all difficulties.
Why should not Colin and Betty marry and
share her fortune equally, without any
troublesome division Of itl With this thought
in her mind Miss Campion had invited them
to Forde, and was now awaiting Bettys ar
rival with some nervousnesA
Her nervousness increased when she had
welcomed her goddaughter and brought her
into the drawing room-for it was necessary
that she should make Betty understand how
desirable husband Colin would be without
raising any suspicion in her mind
"You are very tired, dear" she said, has
tening to pour out cup of tea with trembling
fingers ~ shall never become reconciled to
trains-they are noisy and dusty 1t is pity
we are in such hurry always nowadays
They managed better in the last century,
when journeys were made in q leisurely man
ner by coach"
IF we were Eighteenth century ladies,
godmother, | should DO at the rectory at
this moment-for the journey from Devon
shire would have been impossible by coach
So am glad that we were not born 100 years
ago."
If You put It In that way, dear, SO am L
l hope this visit viii be pieasanter than
usual" she added nervously, My nephew
Colin is coming tonight, he Is going to stay
for some time"
He is doctor In London, isn't hea have
heard you speak Of him"
Il dare say He has bought practice
there" answered Miss Campion He is very
clever in his profession, and so tender and
kindl 1t is quite beautiful to SEQ him with
children. But he ought to marry there is
always prejudice IN favor Of married doc
tors"
'You had better tell him So" said Betty,
with smile
81 mean to do so, and / think he viii be
settled before long" said the old lady, nod
ding her head nysteriousiy.
''Oh, If he is already in love, he viii not
need your advice, godmotherT
But be is not in love, my dear" returned
Miss Campion hastily you must not think
Colin is a foolish, sentimental young man
Indeed, he is considered rather cold in
society, and he is as proud as you are,
Betty"
'Will he marry if he is not in lover asked
Betty, raising her eyebrows slightly.
''Oh, no, my dear, Of course not"
''Then you think he will obediently fail in
love when you tell him that be ought to
marryi He must have his emotions under
admirable controlI"
HE would not fall In love with any one,"
said Miss Campion, with only vague under
standing of Betty's sarcasm; ''but he cannot
fail to see what sweet girl"-
81 see," interrupted Betty quietly, you
are saving him great deal of unnecessary
trouble in suggesting whom as well as when
he should marry"
Colin would not marry any girl whom he
could not like and respect" said Miss Cam
pion a little anxiously.
"Oh, moi But he Is not sentimental" sug-
gested Betty. 1.-THE girl he marries viii be a
happy woman"
''She will, indeed" agreed her godmother.
81 am so glad that you appreciate Colin"
Soon after Betty had left the drawing roous
to dress for dinner, Dr. Campion arrived.
When the first greetings were over, his aunt
remarked, tentatively:
~ have asked Betty Carew to stay with
me while you are here, Colin. You don't
know Bettya"
mo" said Colin.
"She is very sweet girl, !" said Miss Cam
pion, nervously.
lis shei"
"a very sweet girl Do you know, Colin,
I have thought lately that you ought to
marryi Married doctors are always the
most successful"
"And you think Miss Betty would make
good doctors wifeF' Questioned Colin. sup
pressing smile at bis aunt's transparent
plot
''She Is very dear to me, Colin; Ishouh
Ike Betty to be mistress here when l die"
she returned wistfully.
Colin kissed her and said gently;
~ should like to please you in all things
Aunt Betty, but l must reserve the right of
choosing my own wife l hold some antigua
ted views about marriage-among the resi-,
that a man should love bis wife Moreover,
there is the chance that Miss Carew would
not be overcome by my many and undoubted
charms But we viii let that pas&'
II won't say anything more about II, said
Miss Campion. with a sigh; "but when you
know her you will understand bow happy
she win make some one some day."
At dinner Colin sat opposite to Betty, and,
as be watched her beautiful tender faoe, he
was quite prepared to indorse his arnts opin-
ion of her goddaughter, though Betty was
anything but kind to him.
Don't you think Colin Is very much like
the painting Of my grandfather In the draw
ing room, Beteyf' asked Miss Canpion.
do you mean that very handsome soldier
hanging between the windowsT asked Betty,
Colin critically. "Oh, no, god
mother; I cannot see the faintess resem-
blance"
Miss Campion hastily changed the subject
to spare her nephew's feelings, though Colin
was inwardly delighted at Petty's tranluess
tho more 50 because be was undoubtedly
good looking.
Presently another appeal was made to Betty
10 fond amt