The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-01

| Honest" he repeated, drawing Lim-
SELF up In his rapid walk. eyes. + sip-
pose 50; hope so. Why DO you want %
know?" and he scanned the children.
amused and pnzzied.
We'll, you see. We had 20 know" they
/ replied. "cause Aunt Maud said You must
De honest and good and have black eyes
/ and"
Aunt Maud" he interrupted. who is
she?"
oh. she's the one we're getting a hus-
! hand for. she's awful lovely"
Hasn't Aunt Maud a husband?" he
asked. with apparent concern, though his
eyes twinkled.
| No" they answered. but we're get
! ting ono for her now. You can see an
about It pinned up there on that house.
| over the door-bou Won't YOU come over
| and see Aunt Maud? She's at the hospi-
| tai. but she'll soon Doe back
Thank you. but 1 really can't. I've
| only time enough 10 catch my train"
| and with a laugh choked down out of de-
| ference to the children. as aunt Maud 8
| had been, he escaped the little matrmon-
| ial market ana strOuc on 10 the station.
IL think he wasn't much good. any
| hown' said Hillegard' leading the way
| back 10 the bench.
4
shakes" said Mildred, after the manner
| Of the house-kecper
no. and maybe he wasn't well edu-
Gated. and that's why DE wouldn't go
and read the paper over the doOr-bell,"
suggested Herbert
MIR. Robert Wainrishr reached the sta
ton. but he had missed his train. This
meant three hours more In this New Eng
land town
Bother those nonsensical chndren," he
exclaimed. Il wonder 10 whom they be-
long? BY the way that reminds me- my
old friend Jack Craford lives here.
might look him up while IN waiting,
and he snapped his fingers for a cab.
Drive me To- the office of AR. John Cra-
ford. Hos a lawyer on-on-wait. I'll so
TO the directory for the address,"
NO need TO sir" said the cabman;
IT'S after his hours and he's gone home
most likely. Shall I take you 10 his resi-
dence. sir?"
"Ycs. if you know IT,
..'That I do well. sir. I was cOachman
10 him year back sir and. slamming
the door upon Alr. Robert wainwright,
cabby drove rapidly uptown for about
five minutes and then stopped before
pretty house. the little lawn In front OF
which was open 10 the pavement
Telling the man 10 wait Mr. Wainright
got out and went mp the steps 10 the
front door. As he pressed the heli-putton
OF admission ne noticed paper huttering
above the bell.
Those children again, Upon my word.
they are my fate to-day" and he rapidly
dociphcrod the following notice.
WANTED "A HUSBAND FOR AUNT
MAUD viii every boldly which sees this
read il 10 see IL he rs the won. Aunt
Maud SAYS he must have eyebrows an
nice dark strait nose an Doe honest an
good an know joeraie an rthmctic am
things like that Hildcgard can't spell
odiukashum so that's why we didn't write
I'D an be tail an thin. Yours truly.
Aunt Maud's nefews an nices.
None others need apply.
The door opened and maid awaited
his Inquiries. Seeing the paper that he
had been reading she slightly changed
color and. reaching up. tore 10 down and
crumplcd IL I'm her hand.
Then children is the miscMefers!' she
exclaimed.
FORD int
no. SIR" she answered; him an Miss
Craford is gone away
Mr.. wainwright was disappointed. He
turned slowly away 10 confront an at
tractive young woman coming up the
tagged path 20 the piazza steps.
she evidently belongs here It's Aunt
Maud by all that's funny. and he step
ped forward with an interest that was
poorly hidden.
Aunt Maud glanced with only passing
interest az him. Al the door stiu stood
Inc maid with the crumpled notice I'm her
hand. Four children bounded across the
street from the mall. their objective point
being Aunt Maud. but when they saw
the stranger they stopped short and look
ed an him in surprise.
II guess you didn't set your train!
George venturcd.
NO. / missed IT," be laughed; that IS
why I've come 10 see your father whom
used 10 know in college
He isn't my father said George and
Mildred: "nes our uncle. and we just
came here 10 stay with hildegard and
Herbert so that Aunt Maud might take
care Of as all at once while our papas
and mammas are away
so that is itl Pardon my mistake
and. touching his hat, he came down the
steps as III leaving
The children glanced NJ him keenly.
"Then didn't you come % see Aunt
Maud?" they asked quickly. Didn't you
read the paper;
yes. l read the paper. hut-you See
/ don't know Aunt Maud.
"Whvi that's Aunt Maud. right there.
and isn't she awful lovely just as we
told you?"
children" said Aunt Maud. turning
quite pale. what have you been aboutf
Go into the house This moment. Don't
mind them, sir, please; they are such
such little originals, but they never mean