The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-08-07

natural stability of your character if
YOU are once put upon the right track.
Iblame your advisers more than blame
you.
listened to her words with sonic dis
quietude. | had never crossed the At
lantic, and at any ordinary time would
have jumped at the chance But had
already other plans in store for the sum
mer that did not feel prepared to re-
inquish, even for the pleasure of a trip
to Europe.
1T is very kind of you to think OF
me-" said
No. it isn't. It's only natural, she
answered shortly "You are my broth
er's child. and let alone any affection |
may have for you, it is my duty to save
you from harm if Lean"
Who else is going?" asked oct OF
sheer cowardice, for had already made
up my mind to decline the invitation.
..Who else1 Nobody. If a woman of
my age has rot learned TO travel with
out an escort, it is time she did sup
pose that's what You re driving at. Well.
what do You say? Go, or remain at
home as you like Only | shall regard II
as choice once and for all.
Aunt Agnes" | answered, with an
endeavor Co express In my tone and
manner the affection and gratitude
felt, Il thank you with all my heart for
your kindness. Whatever you may say,
it was extremely kind of you to offer to
take me abroad with you. and | wish !
co1lid go.
What is there TO prevent you goingy
she inquired sharply.
Ghesitated an instant and then boldly
spoke the truth, though knew it would
operate like two edged sword:
Il have already promised to spend the
Summer at Tinker's Reach with Aunt
Helen, and she would be disappointed if
failed her at the last moment, for all
her plans are made on that understand
ing
All! That is it, she replied, with
bitter calmness. Very well, disclaim
all further responsibility You act with
your eyes open and must take the con-
sequences.
There was so much pain and concern
in her expression that for an instant
hesitated, and thought of changing my
mind | went to her and knelt down
beside her chair
Aunt Agnes, you must not talk so. /
love you as dearly as | love Aunt Helen;
and if had not promised to spend the
summer with her should be delighted
TO go with you Do not repulse me.
have SO few relatives to care for me, and
| shall be very unhappy if you go away
angry.
But she refused TO be Modified. She
did not scold me, and she coldly suffered
me TO embrace her at parting: but her
air was more grim than | had ever seen
it, and was conscious of having wound
ed her deeply.
Perhaps it is needless TO say that Mr.
Dale was at the bottom of my decision.
4 few weeks previous had confided TO
him that Aunt Helen had invited me to
spend the summer with her at her new
cottage at Tinker's Reach He assured
me that there were few more charming
spots, that ii was faEor1te resort of his
own. and that he himself proposed to
pass his vacation there. Naturally,
fels bound 20 a certain extent after this
to go TO Tink-r's Reach Indeed. | was
eagerly LOOKING forward to a continu-
ance of our friendship under suos happy
auspices
When L had spoken to Mr.. Dale re
garding his business he replied, as have
already stated, that it was wool But
noticed he was brief, and his manner
did not encourage me to ask further
questions. [ ascribed his reserve TO
modesty, or the proper reluctance some
people have TO talk of private affairs
that IN no way concern the interrogation
This impression was heightened by the
Investigations which l quietly made in
regard to the point, feeling that though
| could not admit the possibility Of a
doubt even in regard TO his business
sagacity, it was well TO have evidence
with which to rebut the insinuations of
my family Every one of the young
men whom 1 questioned regarding Mr.
Dale's prospects assured me that he was
doing very well, and attended his Office
daily.
This was pleasant ddings, and encour-
aged me to speak TO him of the matter
| had at heart. With all my tendency
toromance and Indifference to the opinion
of others, | realized that it must be
delicately handled. Unjust not seem to
offer gift or to place him under an OBJ
legation. Accordingly, one day shortly
before we left town, | explained to him
the condition of my affairs; how my
father had settled sum upon me with
the request that should manage it in
teligently. with view to having the
control Of larger amounts later. | said
further that was anxious to learn, and
to acquit myself with credit, and that If
had struck me as brilliant scheme TO
double my property q fixed upon this as
reasonable estimate) by some invest
ment. He listened to my words with
close attention, and as he made no COM
ment at this point | said:
"You are down town, Mr. Dale, and
must necessarily understand business
matters. come TO you fdE advice.
want you to tell me what to bay [ viii
give you the money, and when you think
1t time to sell viii authorize you to do !
so. You see am not entirely ignorant
myself"
Roger Dale gave a short laugh and
made no response for moment 1t