Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-12-12
A BAD HALF.H0UP.
BY EMMA A. oPPER.


sand.
"Long! Oh, Marion, can you count it
by daysl 1t has been lifetime to me,
Marion. / have lived only since have
known you"
The sentiment was not new. And John
Gordon was only fine looking man, in
a becoming summer suit, and black silk
shirt and sash-for this was Rocky
Beach. But to Marion Taylor
~ do like-l-l-love you, Mr.. Cor
don" she said, bravely. sit hasn't been
long, but have come to care for you.
You are the first man l have ever been
willing to marry"
"And I'll be the last!" John Gordon
cried, and pressed her hand hard.
They were close to Marion's hotel
now. If the imposing, not to say for
midable figure of Marion's Aunt Paulina
had not been apparent on the piazza,
they might have fingered still.
John Gordon turned his eyes to her.
"She doesn't like me, Marion," be
said, softly. "What will she say9"
Marion was a soft faced and gentle
eyed girl, but she held her chm high at
that.
"What she says can make no differ
ence! Good-by, John!"
"Good-by!" the young man uttered,
rapturously.
And moment later Marion was drop
ping into a bamboo porch chair---a small
one; Aunt Paulina occupied a large one.
A glance at her strong-featured, i'm
perturable countenance was enough for
Marion. She said to herself, slangily,
that something was up.
"You remember my saying, Marion, v
Aunt Paulina began, "that was dissatis-
fed with this place9"
Marion's eyes opened. Aunt Paulina
had once remarked that her bed was &
little hard.
swell, i have rather suddenly made
up my mind to leave. The Dawsons are
at Ripley, and they write me that the
place is charming. 1t is only ten miles
along the coast, Marion, and have told
Sarah to get our things together, so we
can start this afternoon. 1 think We
shall both be better for the change"
Marion looked down. Her impulses
were many. She came near laughing,
but gasped instead, not wholly with as
tonishment.
She was not unused to her Aunt Paul
ina's methods, and her principal emotion
now was sort of admiration for hel
boldness; for the case was a clear one
even to unsuspicious Marion.
"Marion, "Aunt Paulina recommended,
with surprising burst of candor, sits
that young man! Marion, you well know
that wholly disapprove of him. I lay
awake last night thinking of it. must
do something. The blame will be on my
head if l allow you to go on!" Aunt
Paulina declared, solemnly. "Marion,
what do you know about him."
''Not very much, Aunt ,Paulina," said
Marion, gently.
"How long have you known himq'
Aunt Paulina demanded.
''Since we came. Six weeks, you
know"
sSix weeks!" said Aunt Paulina,
tragically. "And you walk with him
every day, and boat and bathe, and
dance in the evening. And you were
introduced by the Lambs!' her lips clos
ing grimly on the name. ''The Lambs
people who take up everybody and any
body. just that is enough for me! Do
you know where he is fromT'
"Boston, l think" said Marion,
obviously.
"You think And his business9"
Something about glass, believe.
''Glass! And his propcrty-has he
got any2"
81 don't know" said Marion, frown-
ing at last. "He doesn't talk about him
self all the time"
''For reasons, doubtless" said Aunt
Paulina, looking rigid. Marion, listen
to me, child! / cannot consent to sii
still and SEQ A young man of whom
we know nothing, and you, Marion, with
,our beauty and amiability and with my
money secured to you'll Marion, you owe
something to me-sone consideration,
some obedience"
Aunt Paulina was growing flushed and
incoherent, and since Marion knew about
what she was going to say, it was as vel
that Sarah came just then to make an in.
quiry, and that Aunt Paulina found il
necessary to go back with her.
Marion sat like pale, wide-eyed
statue. What should she do2 The
mild lines of her sweet mouth would
have made it clear to an observer wha
she would do. She would go with hel
Aunt Paulina, of course; what elsea Sht
had never yet thought of opposing her
She owed her everything, and she hat
always hitherto put faith in her judg
ment.
But as to this about John Gordon
She would have to go-have to leav'
Rocky Beach to-day-have to leave John
But give him upa Never-nsver Sh