The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-05-28
AUNT EMuELINA

Joan was writing letters on pale-pink
notepaper. She had finished three, and
there were nine more to be done.
q If it wasn't for my new muslin would
try to bear it stoically," she said, and
smudged line with her sleeve; "but the
thought of the wasted labor in these frills
will embitter my whole existence-botheri"
The concluding expetive was called forth
by the sight of the smudge.
If only the jellies weren't made" Ella
said. "That's what / mind most. That
pineapple one was really beyond every
thing"
In the armchair there was a wet hand
kerchief and crumpled girl in short
frock.
It's wicked" she said /" it's cruel. The
only pleasure of my holidays. I've dreamed
about it every night. And school next
week. No boats, or anythingw
Bother,n
Joan had smudged another sheet She
pushed the desk away pettishly. Pm not
going to write any more OF the horrid
things"
"If only you weren't such prudes." the
girl in the armchair said. Do you inn
agine you're in a box, and all Austr ralia
is leveling its opera glass at you-who'd
care?"
You're only silly school girl, Thea
think of the people we've asked-why, the
Deiany girls would faint at the idea of a
picnic without chaperone. There's no
help for it. Do you think I'm not as dis
appointed as you are?"
The picnic they had planned and dreamed
of, cooked for, lived for, must at the last
moment be declared off"
The lady who was 10 have chaperoned the
party had been incousiderate enough to
sprain her ankle just when all arrangements
had been completed.
Try as they would they could not fill mp
the place. and among all their aeqaaintsnces
in the district there was not one married
lady obligingly disengaged enough to come
and play propriety for them on such short
notice
Their father and mother had gone for a
Christmas trip 10 Tasmania, and given per-
mission for the picnic only provided it was
suitably chaperored. Clearly, they could
not go without a lady of Ger, ain age, more
especially a. it would be public holiday,
and The Parramatta River would be alive
with holiday makers.
I'D like 10 know what good they do"
Thea said in voice witheriHg that even
her tears checked themselves. why, last
holidays at the Gresham's picnic there
were three chaperones; but it didn't prevent
our Jack from squeezing Nellie Alton's
hand, for / saw him"
Our Jack " entered just in time to catch
the last sentence, and to project sofa cush-
ion at the speaker.
Sheep dog at Your service he said, and
minced across the room. He was dressed in
long skirt Of his mothers, with a fashion,
able jacket left unbditoned, and a boa of
black lace around his neck
There was gray, amazingly natural
looking wig on his head, and surrounding it
black jet bonnet with an aigreite and long
strings. A vail and pair OF eyeglasses, a few
deity painted wrinkles and languid smile
completed his get up."
Thea fell upon his neck, regardless of the
d fiident security of the bonnet
. You darling" she sobbed, 20, you dear
boy, you trump, you brick, Jack"
And that is how il happened that the
party was chaper0nee by Il c!ean-shaven boy
of p. They introduced him as Aunt Em-
mehna, and he bowed beautifully or shock
their hands gently and murmured correct
little society nothings
But Pt first Aunt Emmelina considered
she had been unfairly used.
The girls had said Esther Hardness, the
present goddess of their brothers. somewhat
mutable affections, could not possibly come,
as she caught the measles from her little
brother and was in bed.
But when the morning came and the
people began to assemble at the big house on
the bill, IN walked Esther in a cool. white !
dress and sailor hat.
Joan introduced them NV dear friend |
Esther, Auas* Emmeiina.
heard you had The measles, my DEAR
Aunt EmmeiiBa said, in thin old voice. |
She retained the hand, in lis white snede
glove, with all The tender s0licItude of |
chaperon Of 40 yelrs' standing.
o, no, it was Ed tn who caught them, |
my sister, not l." Esther said.
She managed TO get her hand away, and |
moved across the veranda, to be instantly |
surrounded by the officers and the bank |
clerk
Aunt Emmelina went through the French |
window into tie breakfast room a suIky |
look on her nice old face.
Aunt EmmeliDa stood in moody silence.
her back TO the lireless CRATE Thea came
in, all arms and legs and beaming smiles.
Where's your corkscrew?' she said.
" Why, what's the matter, Jack?n The last
word was whispered.
", N''i'NHa ~ ail. NUM- Ef1lnel1UH
said, and pushed up her veil, regardless of
Thea went up to him and put her lips to
his ear
It's Esther, isn't it ?" she said.
Mind your business" he answered, and
turned sharply on his heel, forgetful OF his
dress tail.
But Thea followed him up.
Sometimes chaperons kiss the girls good
by" she whispered aud fed out again among
the other.
Aunt Emmelina put her vail down care
fully, she arranged her cnrls with diligence.
and set her bonnet straight. There was
smile in her eyes behind the glasses. Alter
all there might be some enjoyment in the
position.
Esther had evinced careless disregard for
his ardent admiration lately, though once
she had received it almost gracously.
AS Jack he would have been pushed
aside TO make room for the suuattpr. of
whom he had suspicious, for the officers. even
for the bank clerk
As Aunt Emmelina" he might have the
felicity Of touching that white, beautiful
band of hers often; he might even put his
arm around her waist in motherly kind of
way.
So they set ont. And surely in all the
annals OF cbaperoDd0m there had never been
quite such charming, gentle, entertaining
bid lady as Aunt Emmelina.
&. n. "a 4. |