The leader., 1897-07-21
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.
o eeeeeseeeeseeeeeeeseeeE
HNHARRIAGE is the saving of a
wi vouur man." said my Aunt

assented, for find ii pays to give
-.ady ocouicscence to abstract PROPOSE
tons.
aunt
hesitated, for the assent to the con
crcte is more dangerous.
lam still very young" l said, meek
Nv aunt turned to my mother
sWbom shall Alfred marry?"
Nv mother shook her head.
somebody NICE" she volunteered.
"What do you say to Letitia Brown
low?" asked my aunt.
81 would prefer to say nothing t.
Ictitia Brownlow," / interposed, hasti
.or Amelia Stafforth?"
as she not rather" my mother
waved one hand-"and Alfred is 81
slim"
II think she has a very fine figure,
responded my aunt. "Or there is Ger
trude Williams; she will have fortune
II she outlvcs her sisters"
There are only five of them," said
hopefully.
"Or Mabel Gordon?"
"She has taken course of cooking
lessons" observed my mother.
"No, none of these!" cried, decisive
ly.
Ny aunt looked offended.
"very well, then, choose for your
self" she said tartly.
"Perhaps that would help" l re
marked, thoughtfully.
"You will choose somebody nice
won't you, Alfredo said my mother.
with money" observed my aunt.
swell connected" emphasized my
mother.
Not too young" added my aunt.
"And religious" begged my mother
There is no objection to her being
good looking?" asked, a trifle timidly
no, think not" said my aunt, pro
vided she fully understands beauty is
but skin deep"
81 will tell her." murmured.
"Well," said my aunt, impatiently
after short pause, whom do you sug
gest?"
thought for moment.
what do you say to Winifred Fra
ser?"
THAT minx?" cried my aunt.
"0h, Alfred!" echoed my mother.
"Why not?" asked.
such a dreadful family!" said my
mother.
$50 fast!" interjected my aunt.
but have you never noticed the sun
on her hair?" asked, innocently.
My aunt drew herself up.
I'VE have not noticed the sun on her
hair" she said, with much dignity
NOR do we wish to observe the sun on
her hair"
Twas justly annoyed. II really think
it must be Winifred Fraser" l said
SHE is very fond of me"
How can you be so cruel to mel"
cried my mother. 'Have you noticed
how gray my hair is getting? You will
not have Inc long" She drew out her
handkerchief.
You will come to bad end" said
my aunt IL always thought you were
depravcd. If you marry that painted
hussy you must not expect my counte-
nance"
Under the circumstances l will not
marry Winifred Fraser" / said, with
great magnanimity, for / did not par
ucularly want my aunt's countenance.
My aunt shifted. "You had better
not"
i merely joked," I said, soothingly,
remembering she had not made her
will
Indeed"
The truth isl dropped my voice
II am in love with some one else"
And you never told mel" said my
mother, reproachfully.
The girl | love is not free"
Married." cried my aunt.
Not married-but engaged"
Who is it?" asked my mother, gen.
fly.
! was silent for a moment, and then
! sighed.
AZ is Constance Burleigh."
very suitable" repeated my aunt.
Ihefe was a momentary silence,
broken by my aunt.
l did not know Constance was en-
gagged"
II is secret; you must not repeat
"aat | have told you"
don't like these secret engage
.n,, said my aunt, brusquely.
who told your"
one told me herself"
who is the man?"
name."
hope Constance is not throwing
herself away"
~ snook my head doubtfully.
You know the man?"
nodded.
IS ne quite-quite-"
again shook my head doubtfully.
.., nhat have you heard?" my aunt
things" ~ epe"' 'nese
pu. .ou can surely trust your mother"
'Aurmured my mother
"a. and my discretion" said my aunt.
e,. "eh' said, II have been told he is
'iuei to his mother"
breath. s '"o 'ao'es' III
!. nus mother told me so herself"
now sad" said my mother.
was depraved." w NC
nv FOOT ,' poor Constance" whispered
~ nuu would probably end badly"
grimly. s' said my aunt
" mother. a
don't think SOL
~ lou did not tell herf~
~ NJ course not"
consider IT your duty to-"