The Holly chieftain., 1903-05-22


at last Emma gave the signal TO leave
the table, everybody felt the dinner
had been TOO short.
She was all smiles, and in passing
from the room seized the opportun
ity to squeeze Eleanor's hand. and
whisper: Hes delightful my dearl"
His very want of toilet seemed to her
now to add to his effectiveness. and
she almost hoped that when he re-
turned to the parlor he would talk
about the Stone Age, or deliver an
informal address on shells, so ex-
Quisite was her sense of relief. When
he did return, however, he relapsed
into oracular silence, which he was
not cajoled into breaking beyond
the needs of bare eivility before the
company separated. On the con
trary, he himself presently slipped
away with Eleanor across the lawn
for a saunter along the shore. AS
they did not return in time, Emma
explained his absence on the ground
that he had probably found some
bowlder or crustacean specimen
which had lured him into oblivion OF
everything else. sally which evoked
a general laugh as they said good
night. There was much to be par.
doned to a man of his evident peculi-
arities, who had seen so little of so
ciety, and. really he had made him
self remarkably agreeable, and quite
borne off the honors of the occasion.
This was doubtless the general YER
dict, but underneath it in the minds
OF nearly every one was a sentiment
of pity for Mrs. Stage, that she should
have on her hands such a white ele-
phant. And in truth while her fears
were tranquilized, Emma felt far
from easy in the company of Uncle
Phineas after the glamor of his dip-
dlspelled by nights sleep. In map
ping out the arrangements for the
next two days, at the end of which he
was to take his leave, she was not
averse to allowing Eleanor to appro.
pirate him to her hearts content
though she insisted on accompanying
him on preliminary drive, and
whom every house Of Importance
along the shore belonged. Then she
became willing to let Eleanor sit be.
side him in the back seat of the
wagonnette, while she got in front
with Harold, with a glowing cor.
seriousness of duty performed, From
the ceaseless flow of words, it was
ing themselves. Every now and
then she caught word that made her
prick up her ears and perhaps give
Harold a nudge if the subject were
especially serious or abrasive Nor
did they seem ever to get to the end
OF what they had to say; when they
were not driving they were strolling
through the woods, or climbing over
the rocks, as much absorbed in each
others society as two young lovers.
Emma reflected that if she would only
appear more like that when she was
with Owen Page, there would be. no
cause for anxiety.
Professor Baldwin. on the morning
OF his departNre, took leave of his
hostess with a show of deep respect
that was pleasing to Emma. To his
thanks for her hospitality, he added
some enthusiastic words, out of his
niece's hearing, as to Eleanor's
charms.
If my brother were alive, he would
say that he could have done no more
himself; and I thank you and your
husband, maam, for your goodness
and your care"
Mr.. Stagg had no intention of depre-
eating her right to the praise be-
slowed. especially as the thought was
in her mind that, If her niece by mar
riage had not been deprived of her
different appearing person; but she
was much gratified, and she said, with
modest smile:
Eleanor is nice, good girl"
Yes, ma'am. and more: she is an
intelligent. noble woman"
Emma was slightly appalled, by the
enthusiasm of the professors tone
which was heightened by the further
expansion of the owl-lilie eyes.
I'VE have done cur best, she muri
INJURED.
And you have your reward, ma am.
She is an unusually fine young wo-
man. | am an old bachelor ma am,
but | envy the man who wins her
as his wife
For an instant. the thought crossed
her mind that Eleanor might have