The Holly chieftain., 1903-05-15


She knew enough not to frighten of
the possible lover by indecently fire.
quent invitations to the house, or by
seeming to take particular notice Of
his attentions, but she kept her eyes
constantly open and lost advantage Of
no opportunity of throwing them to-
gether. Though, to tell the truth,
there was little need, as it appeared.
of Intervention or diplomacy cn her
part; the young millionaire himself
continued to seek every opportunity
afforded for continuing the acquain-
tance. He calle don Eleanor. he tool,
her out on his coach, he gave her 4
theater party, and one day he sent her
a basket of magnificent roses without
there seeming to be any excuse for it.
This last overt act fairly took Emma's
breath away, and that evening, when
she found an opportunity to speak to
Harold alone, she remarked:
do you know, my dear, that l am
really beginning to think that Owen
Page is seriously attentive to Elean-
or"
Why don't you say something?"
she exclaimed, with impatience, as her
husband continued to smoke placidly.
"Do you realize what that means?
don't half dare acknowledge it my
SELF but | verify believe he is seri-
ously smitten. He scarcely takes his
eyes off her, and you saw the superb
basket he sent this morning. My dear.
do you realize what it means?"
Il realize that l admire your superb
GOODNESS in picking out about the rich
est young man in New York as hus-
band for your damsel, he said remov-
ing his cigar with an amused smile.
Only the best is good enough for
you, ha, ha!"
You are crazy, Harold. Do you
| imagine that | ever in my sober
senses would have conceived for mo-
ment that there was the slightest
chance in that direction? Of course.
if | had, / would have made the most
OF it, as any woman would. | don't
pretend to be superior in virtue to the
rest of my sex, but do give me credit
| for a little common sense. Why
| should Owen Page, who has the pick
| of half dozen cities to choose from,
if he is matrimonially inclined, devote
himself to girl like Eleanor? Very
likely it means absolutely nothing;
have tried to shut my eyes to it and
persuade myself that such is the case,
but facts are facts, my dear. And the
most difficult part of all for me to
make out" she added, in confiden
tial whisper, sis what he finds in her.
81 don't see why Eleanor isn't all
right" Harold replied, stoutly, after q
moment.
well. so she is, of course; I'm moi
saying anything against the. child
especially in view of the fact that he
seems to be in love with her; but you
must understand what | mean. If II
weren't that she's your niece, do you
suppose you'd ever give her a second
thought, if you were introduced to her
beyond agreeing that sne was a rath
er pretty, well-dresscd little girl, with
sufficiently good manners and not
much snap. The manners and the
dressing are mine. though they count
just the same, and I'd have done my
best for Eleanor if she'd Seen a great
deal worse than she was, but there's
no use in trying to male her out any
thing superior to the common run, for
she isn't. Compare her with dozen
girls one could mention and she would
be nowhere. You know it as well as
| ]; and because we are fond of her
there is no use in refusing to recog
niZe the truth If owen Page offers
himself to her. it will be a marvellous
instance of good fortune"
Don't count your chickens" re-
marked her husband, somewhat dog
gedly.
That is precisely what am avoid
ing doing; but surely you'll agree tina;
she'd be very lucky"
"Oh, Page is good fellow enough
and he has stacks of money, If that s
wha. you want
Emma looked painfully into dis,
tance; then, with writhe of her
neck. said with dignity:
"One would think from your tone
were mercenary marriage-monger
want nothing. | have brought out
Eleanor just as | would my own daugh.
ter, and under far greater difficulties.
If, within the next five years. she
were to marry any respectable young
| man of our acquaintance, we ought to