Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-09-19

What do you think of my nephew
Charles?"
The question was so sudden and UNI
expected that Clara gave quite a jump
in her chair "I-I-I hardly ever have
thought Of your nephew Charles"
MOP Oh, you must think him well
over, for want to speak to you about
him.
ITO me? But why?"
1T 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 1t impossible for me to keep
up a household which Charles can
share"
Clara stared. Did this mean that she
was about to marry again? What else
could 1t point to?
Therefore Charles must have a
household Of his own. That is obvious.
Now, don't approve Of bachelor es,
adjustments. Do your"
Really, Mrs. Westmacott, I have
never thought Of the matter"
"Oh, you little sly puss! Was there
ever girl who never thought OF the
matter? think that young man OF
six-and-twenty ought to be married"
Clara felt very uncomfortable. The
awful thought had come upon her that
this ambassadress 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 before. 1t was impossible, then,
And yet what could his aunt mean by
this discussion Of his private affairsi
do you not think yourself" she per.
sisted, that a young man Of six-and.
twenty is better married?"
Il should think that he is old enough
to decide for himself"
Yes, yes, He has done so. But Charles
Is Just a little shy, just a little slow ii
expressing himself. 1 thought that ]
would pave the way for him. Two WON,
en- can arrange these things so much
better. Men sometimes have difficulty
In making themselves clear"
I really hardly follow you, Mrs
Westmacott," 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 hi
cannot play light enough. I should al
low him five hundred, which should b.
enough at first"
my dear Mrs. Westmacott," cried
Clara, II assure you that I have no
the least idea what 1t is that you arr
talking off,
DO you think your sister Ida would
! have my nephew Charles?"
Her sister Ida? Quite a little thrill
Of relief and Of pleasure ran through
her at the thought. Ida and Charles
| Westmacott. She had never thought O.
1t. And yet they had been a good dea
| together. They had played tennis. The!
had shared the tandem tricycle.. Again
came the thrill Of joy, and close at 1T
heels the cold questionings of con
science. Why this joy? What was tn
| ASHA oOAASC VI Az w do II lAhI uGeI
down, somewhere pushed back in tn
black recesses Of the soul, there wa
the thought lurking that If Charlie
prospered in his wooing then Harol,
Denver would still be free? How mean
how unmaidenly, how unslsterly tn
| thought! She crushed 1t down an
thrust it aside, but still 1t would pus
up its wicked little head. She crimsone,
with shame at her own baseness, a
she turned once more to her companion
II really do not know" she said.
"She is not engaged?"
mot that l know Of"
you speak hesitatingly.''
Because I am not sure. But he ma!
ask. She cannot but be flattered."
"Quite so. 1 tell him that 1t is the mos
practical compliment which a man cal
pay to woman. He Is little shy, bu
when he sets himself to do 1t he will d.
1t. He Is very much in love with her,
assure you. These little lively people al
ways do attract the slow and heav,
ones, which is natures device for tn
neutralizing of bores. But they are al
going in. I think If you will allow M
that I will just take the opportunit,
to tell him that, so far as you know
there is no positive obstacle in tn
way"