Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-05-29

other What do you think OF my nephew
Charles?"
The question was SO sudden and unex-
pected that Clara gave quite jump in
her chair. I'LL hardly ever have
thought of your nephew Charles"
mo? Oh you must think him well
over, for ]. want to speak to you about
him"
ITO me? But whyr'
ut seemed to me most delicate. You
see, Clara, the matter stands in this way.
1t is quite possible that | may soon find
myself in a completely new sphere of
life, which will involve fresh duties and
make it impossible for me to keep up a
household which Charles can share"
Clara stared. Did this mean that she
was about to marry again2 What else
could it point to?
Therefore Charles must have a house
hold of his own. That is obvious. Now,
don't approve of bachelor establish
ments. Do your
Really, Mrs. Westmacott, have
never thought of the matter"
"Oh, you little sly pussl Was there
ever girl who never thought of the
matter | think that a young man of
six and twenty ought to be married"
Clara felt very uncomfortable. The
awful thought had come upon her that
this embassadress had come to her as a
proxy with a proposal of marriage. But
how could that be? She had not spoken
more than three or four times with her
nephew and knew nothing more of him
than he had told her ON the evening be-
fore. 1t was impossible then. And yet
what could his aunt mean by this dis
cussion of his private affairs?
"Do you not think yourself" she per-
sisted, ''that young man of six and
twenty is better married?"
81 should think that he is old enough
to decide for himself"
Yes, yes. He has done So But
Charles is just little shy, just little
slow in expressing himself. | thought
that would pave the way for him. Two
women can arrange these things so much
better Men sometimes have a difficulty
in making themselves clear"
81 really hardly follow you, Mrs. West
macott," cried Clara in despair.
HE has no profession, but he has nice
tastes. He reads Browning every night
And he is most amazingly strong. When
he was younger, we used to put on the
gloves together, but | cannot persuade
him to now, for he says he cannot play
light enough. | should allow him $500
which should be enough at first"
"My dear Mrs. Westmacott," cried
Clara, 81 assure you that have not the
least idea what it is that you are talk
ing Of"
"Do you think your sister Ida would
have my nephew Charles?"
Her sister Ida! Quite little thrill of
relief and of pleasure ran through her at
the thought. Ida and Charles Westma-
cottl She had never thought of it. And
yet they had been good deal together.
They had played tennis. They had
shared the tandem tricycle.. Again came
the thrill of joy, and close at its heels
the cold questionings of conscience
Why this joy? What was the real source
of it2 Was it that deep down, some
where pushed back in the black recesses
of the SOUL there was the thought lurl-
ing that if Charles prospered in his WOO
ing then Harold Denver would still be
free? How mean, how unmaidenly, how
unsisterly the thought She crushed it
down and thrust it aside, but still it
would push up its wicked little head.
She crimsoned with shame at her own
baseness as she turned once more to her
companion.
81 really do not know" she said.
''She is not engaged?"
"Not that 1 know Of"
"You speak hesitatingly."
because l am not sure. But he may
ask. She cannot but be hattered."
"Quite so. | tell him that it is the
most practical compliment which a man
can pay to a woman. He is little shy,
but when he sets himself to do it he will
do it. He is very much in love with her,
| assure you. These little lively people
always do attract the slow and heavy
ones, which is natures device for the
neutralizing of bores. But they are all
going iSs | think if you will allow me
that | will just take the opportunity to
tell him that, as far as you know, there
is no positive obstacle in the way"
"As far as | know" Clara repeated as
the widow moved away to where the
players were grouped round the net or
sauntering slowly toward the house.
She rose to follow her, but her head was
in whirl with new thoughts, and she
sat down again. Which would be best
for 1da-Harold or Charles? She thought
it over with as much solicitude as a
mother who plans for her only child.
Harold had seemed to her to be in many
ways the noblest and best young man
whom she had known. If ever she was
to love a man, it would be such a man as
that But she must not think of herself.
She had reason to believe that both of
these men loved her sister Which would
be the best for her? But perhaps the
matter was already decided. She could
not forget the scrap of conversation
which she had heard the night before,
nor the secret which her sister had re-
fused to confide to her. If Ida would
not tell her, there was but one peEon
who could. She raised her eyes, and