The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-06-26
Tears came unbidden into Ennice's

eyes.
ooh, how delightful IL would be to
live in the real country I" she said to
herself. "And know / could make
myself useful at Cousin Peters. But
If Aunt Lobolia is going herself, there
is an end of the matter.
For Eunice was too well used to her
aunts overbearing egotism even to
attempt struggle against it.
All her life long she had been tho
victim of Aunt Lobelia's selfishne ~.
II was too late for any rebellion now.
And then Aunt Lobelia went mp to
her room to pack her trunk for Cousin
Peters while Eunice returned to her
dish-washing and ironing.
All day long the house was besieged
with an eager throng of house hunt
ers. All day long Eunico marshaled
them over the premises with untiring
patience, answering more questions
than any cate e,hism could contain,
bearing patiently with covert insult,
and keeping up cheerful front while
every bone in her poor little body
ached with wenriness
And Aunt Lubelia cried:
"rirodl Why what on earth have
you done to be tired?"
On the afternoon of the second day
Miss Lobelia shouted shrilly down the
back staircase to her neice.
''Eunico Eunice Hurry upl
Here comes Mr.. Benedict, the rich old
ieweler from down town. He's looked
at the TO Let, he's coming IN. Put
an extra fifty dollars year on the
rent if he's to take it."
"He's not so very old Aunt Lobe
lia, said Eunice hurridly ainging off
her kitchen apron and ha'tening up
the stairs.
Aunt Lobelia uttered a resounding re
sniff.
Hes no chicken" said she.
Eunice smilel to herself. She ha
not been unobservlnt of all the wiles
that her aunt had put forth to capti-
vate this same Mr.. Benedict. She had
not forgotten that Aunt Lobelia had
not spoken to her for u week the last
time Mr.. Benedict had walked home
from church with her (Elnice) instead
of with her aunt.
In her secret heart she liked and
respected the stalwart middle-aged
man, who had always mingled 80 chiv-
alrous courtesy in his manner to-
ward her, poor dependent though was
upon Aunt Lobelia's grudgingly-ex.
tended charity.
Mr.. Benedict came in, kindly shak-
ing hands with Eunice as he did so.
81 see your house is to let, " said he.
eyes" answered Eunice.
While from the head of the stair
way Aunt Lobelia disposed herself to
listen.
"Im glad that girl didn't shut the
parlor door," said she.
81 am intending to change my local
habitation," observed Mr.. Benedict.
"Are you," said Eunice. "Perhaps
you would like this house?"
"No," said Mr.. Benedict, "I don't
think care about the house"
Crude old monster" muttered Aunt
Lobelia.
"My aunt is going to Vermont, said
Eunice.
SIS she, indeed?" uttered Mr.. Ben.
edict. 81 am thinking of going to the
country, too"
81 wish I'd gone to the door my
SELF" said Aunt Lobelia to herself. 81
know could have coaxed him to come
to Maple Grove"
"The fact is," added Mr.. Benedict,
81 am tired of the city. Miss Eunice.
1 have made up ny mind to live among
the daisies and buttercups."
"Gracious mel" unused Miss Lobe
lia, "I'il put on my best front di-
rectly AMI come down. l believe the
man has been mslly in love with me-
all along, and now he has decided to
unite our destinies.
And away she sculilsd in her old
carpet slippers to beautify herself as
expeditiously as possible.
"And-you will excuse the interest
of an old friend, Miss Eunice," kindly
added Mr.. Benedict-"out what is to
be your fate?"
az don't know" said Eunice, sadly
"I should like to go to Vermont, too,
but Aunt Lobelia thinks l had better