The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-03-02
WAS HE TO BLAME.
BY Miss C. II. Thayer.

Gz0ore to all your other admirersy'
saKass Scammon asked her niece.
Eyes do, Aunt Lucia -,
'''Are you sure he cares for you?'
"Tf voice and eyes are to be trusted,
i am certain that he loves me-" ,a'
They are not always reliable, my
dear; but he seems frank and honest.
He has never expressed himself plain
~, has hep .rEl
mo, and I am afraid he never will.
He has such dread Of being called
fortune hunter. Oh, dear! I wish that
i did not have this money"
Money is a most desirable thing to
have, my dear"
=! lis not love better?'
Il have lived forty years without
aove-the sentimental kind-and I have
not suffered in consequence. Without
money l should have been very uncom-
Portable indeed. Nina, I will manage
this affair, and try matchmaking once
only"
1t was the last thing Miss Scam
'snon should have undertaken, for there
was nothing astute or subtle in her
nature.
She was too frank; that virtue be-
ing so rare, that instead of winning
belief, it is usually distrusted or mis-
understood.
Therefore the handsome spinster was
very soon in trouble. Selling the first
opportunity, she seated herself beside
Alan. and spoke with a warmth she
did not realize.
Mr.. Dinsmore," she said, you are
great favorite of mine"
He seemed little surprised, but an
,swered politely:
-, You are very kind to tell me that
But you look astonished, and you
NEED not be, for there is no young man
IL think so much Of
Besides being handsome, Miss Scam
smon was very young and fresh-looking
2or her age; consequently, when she
;snaGe these fattering declarations to
'file young man. he hardly knew what
answer to make. He could not under
stand it.
Was she in earnest? And did she
intend to offer him her hand and heart?
II so, it certainly was a great compi-
,ulent and honor, but then"
And he drew away almost uncon-
'seiously, looking, it must be confessed,
very 1uIcu dliIuleu.
She had been speaking thus far with
out regarding her companion very in
sGently. but this sudden movement at
'tructed her attention, and turning
toward him she noticed the dismay and
CONSERVATION his face expressed.
Then she spoke with startling alb
'ruptness.
You conceited little GOOSE she eX-
claimed. DO you dare to suppose that
I am making love to yOu-and for my
self"
ut certainly had that appearance, -
he Stammered.
"The vanity Of men! Do you i'm
tagine that 1, a woman of forty, would
marry q boy like you?"
81 am twenty-three years old, Miss
Scammon."
Il do not care If you are thirty three;
you are u boy, nevertheless The idea
As preposterousl'
"Now see here, If you please, Miss
Scammon. When handsome woman
seats herself beside mall"
BOY"
Man" he continued, land says she
thinks mere of him than of any other
7person. does it show such extraord
tuary and illimitable cOnceit, on his
~
him
"Xes, it Goes,' was the curt reply
-"Asd your ridiculous vanity will inter
Sfere with your best interests"
Chen, with decided fiounce, III spite
ut her NJ Z raj grace and dignity, she
def the room.
~t1aeassant. certainly!' the young mar
~sslaculatr>' II feel like Il criminal
But sct.i's Nina at a little distance
ftae Went t. .ler for consolation.
Il basr offended your aunt, Mis-
EFaIrfax," he said
you flust have done somethin!
r5reaxfu} she answered with a smile.
Indeed. it is really So
''Ihen ! am very sorry. How did
'2,appenT'
well, you sect is very awkwar
to tell-but she said such tlatterin
ahlpgs, I thought could not hel
thinking that"
mot that she was in love with you?
Eyes, did"
''Oh, dear! How could you? She rt
fused a duke once-a real one, and
general, and governor. How coul
you imagine she would
''Smile upon an inferior creature liz
anyself? 1t does indicate imbecility,
admit, but l am sure any other ma
Hwould have been equally imbecile III
xfer the circumstances"
perhaps so. I am afraid hOweve
that she will be seriously offended"
But what did your aunt mean, Mi
Eairfax!'
We'll, you had better ask her.
And with an impatient shrug, ar
Sdisdainful toss of the head, she left hi
I'm much the same manner as Mi
Scammon had done before her.
eff that is not being snubbed,'
thought, II do not understand Il
word And what heinous offense ha7
I committed after all? 1t would
hard to tell. But, Miss Nina Fairfa
iii you imagine that because you ha'
auorley, and I have none, you can pl;
off your airs and caprices upon me, Q
how mistaken you are! There is Mi
Erton walking on the beach. She is
nice little thing, and will treat me cj
ally, I know"
e. what of it," was the cool inquiry
Springing up, he left the house, a