The Somerset reporter., 1897-05-13
4 SLIGHT MISTAKE.

l assented, for find it pays to give a
ready acquiescence to abstract PROPOSE
tons
You must marry, continued my
aunt.
Il am still very young, I said meek
ly.
My aunt turned to my mother
"Whom shall Alfred marry? What do
you say to Letitia Brownlow, or Amelia
Staftorth:"
rs she not rather"-my mother
waved one hand-''and Alfred Is so
slim -
II think she has very fine figure,
responded my aunt. ''Or there is Ger
trude Williams. She will have d for.
tune if she outliyes her sisters =
There aIe only five of them. said
hopefully
"Or Mabel Gordon?"
mo, none of these, - cried decisive.
ly.
My aunt looked offended Very
well, then; choose for yourself, she
said tartly.
Perhaps that would help" | re
marked thoughtfully
We'll, " said my aunt Impatiently
after a short pause, whom do you sug
gest?'
thought for moment
"What do you say to Winifred Fra
ser?"
"That mink" cried my aunt
"Oh, Alfred" echoed my mother.
"Why not" asked
"Such dreadful familyr' said my
mother.
So fastP' INTERCEPTED my aunt
But have you never noticed the sun
on her hair" asked innocently.
My aunt drew herself up.
I'VE have net noticed the sun on her
hair, " she said with much dignity,
NOR do we wish to observe the sun ON
her hair. "
was justly annoyed "Ireally think
it must be Winifred Fraser" l said.
"She is very fond of me, and"-
How can you be so cruel to me?"
cried my mother. Have you noticed
how gray my hair is getting? You will
not have me long" She drew out her
handkerchief
You will come to a bad end" said
my aunt Il always thought you were
depraved. If you marry that painted
hussy, you must not expect my counte-
nance.
Under the circumstances, | will not
marry Winifred Fraser" | said with
great magnanimity, for did not par
ticularly want my aunt's countenanee,
My aunt shifted. You had better
not "
Il merely joked, " said soothingly.
remem bering she had not made her will,
Indeedp'
1.-THE truth isl dropped my voice
IL am in love with some one else. "
And you never told me-. said my
mother reproachfully.
THE girl love is not free "
Married." cried my aunt.
mot married-but engaged.
"Who is it," asked my mother gently
was silent for moment, and then
sighed
:" 1t is Constance Burleigh. -
1t would have been most suitable
match, mulmured my mother
Very suitable, - repeated my aunt.
There was momentary silence, bro
ken by my aunt.
Il did not know Constance was en-.
gagged
1T is a secret. You must not repeat
what have told you.
II don't like these secret engage
ments, said my aunt brusquely. Who
told you?''
"She told me herself 3"
"Who is the MANI"
II do not think l should repeat his
name. "
Il hope Constance is not throwing
herself away.
shook my head doubtfully.
"You know the MANI
nodded
Is he quite-quite"-
Again l shook my head doubtfully.
What have you heard?" my aunt
asked eagerly.
81 don t think ought to repeat these
things "
You can surely trust your mother, !"
murmured my mother.
And my discretion, E." said my aunt.
well, said, II have been told he
is cruel to hts mother -
ReallyW cried the two ladies i'll a
breath
His mother told me so herself. "
"How sadl' said my mother.
And what else;' asked my aunt
"Another relation of his told me he
was depraved
Poor poor Constance!' whispered
my mother
And would probably end badly"
Il expect he drinks, sand my aunt
grimly
docs Constance know this?" asked
my mother.
Il don t think so "
"You did not tell herr"
"Of course not.
II consider it your duty to. "
~ really cannot.
"Then | will, said my aunt reso-
lutely.
What have said has been in conf
dence. y
81 do not care y
81 beg ven net to do so "