The Lamar register., 1903-05-27

aboul WHdt Ire meant, SHe answered.,
desolately. I've been acting wrongly
Aunt Emma. 1t was pleasant going
on and on, and l didn't realize. oh,
yes. I've been very wrong"
Nonsense. What is there wrong
about it? You may have been a little
obtuse, perhaps. but you'll know an
other time, or rather henceforth. for
maybe there won't be another-time.
You mustn't mind me, dear" she add
ed, noticing that Eleanor writhed at
the innuendo; I'm only teasing. 1t
Is very likely his own fault II you
didn't know. Men are often so fear
fully commonplace in their speech
even when their actions seem de-
voted"
Eleanor said. with fervor, after a
moments silence:
II am very much obliged to you,
Aunt Emma"
For opening your eyes? You are
entirely welcome. 1t occurred to me
that it was just possible you might
not be realizing the full significance
OF what such intentions ordinarily i'm
ply. 1t Is apt to be shock to a girl
If a man offers himself without hay-
ing made his intentions pretty clear
clear beforehand, and in such cases
she sometimes says things she would
not say II she had been more or less
prepared. though no girl is ever quite
prepared"
Emma spoke calmly. She was dis
turbed by Eleanor's manner, and yet
she judged that her shrinking from
the idea pf haipu coriourly couuht In
marriage proceeded from the novelty
of it, and that time would effect a
change. 1t was advisable to give her
an accurate glimpse Of the truth, and
yet veil 1t sufficiently not to offend
OF disgust her maidenly instincts. She
hoped she had accomplished this. and
accordingly she was little prepared
for the reply she now received.
II think. Aunt Emma. the sooner
get to work the better. ought to
have done 30 before" she continued,
as Mrs. stagg gazed at her in blank
bewilderment, but | was having such
pleasant time let myself drift
along"
Work. Eleanor? don't under
stand you"
You know | have always meant
to be teacher Uncle Harold per-
suaded me to come East with him
on account of the boys. but now that
they are established at school. and |
have had all the rest | need, | should
like to try to get some pupils, or a
situation in a college"
Eleanor. what do you mean?"
Il have my own living to make.
Aunt Emma
Mrs. Stagg broke into a nervous
laugh.
Are you getting tired of us SO
soon, my dear? feared that we
should not be able long to compete
with the attractions of the wild and
woolly West"
"If I can do equally well here.
should prefer to remain rather than
go West; but imagine that there are
more opportunities in some of the
smaller new Western colleges or aca-
denies for the. kind of position
would rather have"
Eleanor, are you crazy? Do you
realize what you are saying? Pupils!
A position in a college! And all be-
cause l suggested that a young man
might be in love with youi l gave
you credit for more sense"
Emma rocked her chair with Offend
ed dignity that found vent for its
pent-up annoyance in another SEQ. .,ful
laugh. Could the child possibly be in
earnest? 1t was too ridiculous; and
yet there she sat, with her hands
clasped before her. and an intense
expression which might betoken any
thing.
mo, Aunt Emma. Mr.. Page had
nothing to do with it, except that II it
had not been for him | should very
likely have begun to make some In
quiries before we came to Beverly, as
to my chances of finding employment
| ought to have done SO. but, as have
already said, was weak enough to
put 1t off little longer. I am pro-
posing merely to carry out the plan
l have had in mind all along-my life
work"
Emma looked at her curiously.
you are talking gibberish. Do you
not consider it part of woman's life
work to be well married?"
'If it so happens, certainly"
oO oHe WOulu lHluh
were referring to the bite of mad
dog. l am older than you, Eleanor,
and | have seen the world. There is
nc more foolish, not to say unnatural,
attitude for a woman to assume, than
to set her face against marriage. A
self-chosen old maid is pitiable per-
son."
Il have no wish to be an old maid"
said Eleanor, with smile. Indeed,
/ hope to be married some day"
Then why this rigmarole?"
81 do not see what my being mar
ried or not being married has to do
with the question of supporting my
self"
Supporting yourself? Do you not
know. Eleanor. that, in bringing you
to live with him. your uncle Harold
took upon himself your support? That
is no longer an open question. He in
tends to provide you with home until
you are married, or, If you persist in
remaining single, you need have no
fear that he will turn you out of doors