The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-07-09
What do you think Of my nspAsw,;

What do you think Of my nsphswi'
Charles?"
The question was 80 sudden ana unl
expected that Clara gave quite q jump
in her chair. Till hardly ever have
thought Of your nephew Charles"
'.No? Oh, you must think him wen
over. for want to speak to you about
him."
ITO me? But why?"
ut seemed to me most delicate. You
see. Clara, the matter stands in this
way. It Is quite possible that may soon
find myself in a completely new sphere
of life, which will involve fresh duties
up 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
household Of his own. That is obvious.
Now, I don't approve of bachelor es-
Adjustments. Do you?"
Really, Mrs. Westmacott, 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."
cara felt very uncomfortable. The
awful thought had come upon her that
this ambassadors had come to her as
a proxy with 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 affairs?
DO you not think yourself" she per-
sisted, that 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 little shy. just little slow In
expressing himself. I thought that I
would pave the way for him. Two wom-
en- can arrange these things so much
better. Men sometimes have difficulty
In making themselves clear"
Il 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 he
cannot play light enough. 1 should al
low him five hundred, which should be
enough at first"
My dear Mrs. Westmacott," cried
Clara, Il assure you that I have not
the least idea what it is that YOU are
talking Of"
DO you think your sister Ida would
have my nephew Charles?"
Her sister Ida? Quite little thrill
OF relief and Of pleasure ran thr lgh
her at the thought Ida and Charles
Westmacott. She had never thought of
1t. 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 it's
heels the cold questionings Of con-
science. Why this joy? What was the
real source Of it? Was it that deep
down, somewhere pushed back in the
black recesses of the soul, there was
the thought lurking that If Charles
prospered in his wooing 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 1t would push
up its wicked little head. She crimsoned
with sharoe at her own baseness, as
she turned once more to her companion
II really do not know" she said.
"She Is not engaged?"
'Not that I know off, i
"You speak hesitatingly."
Because am not sure. But he may
ask. She cannot but be fattered."
"Quite so. tell him that it is the most
practical compliment which a man can
pay to 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, I
assure you. These little lively people al.
ways do attract the slow and heavy
ones, which is natures device for the
neutralizing of bores. But they are all
going in. think If you will allow me
that will just take the opportunity
to tell him that. SO far as you know.
there is no positive obstacle in the
wavn