The Globe-republican., 1903-01-01

Emma was provoked with herself for
having spoken. What she had feared
and yet believed impossible was the
case; the child had not realized the
situation. However, 1t was too late
to draw back now; she might gloss
the matter over If it came to the
worst, but she had better open the
child's eyes a little. "What did you
suppose was the meaning Of all Mr..
FACES attention-his flowers, his con-
slant preference for your society,""
Il knew he liked me, of course
Liked you? That is rather a
vague term, my dear. Didn't 1t ever
occur to you that he liked you very
much better than any one else?"
I'm afraid that | didn't think much
about what he meant" she answered,
desolately. I've been acting wrongly.
Aunt Emma. 1t was pleasant going
On and on, and | didn't realize. Oh,
yes, I've been very wrong"
Nonsense. What is there wrong
about it? You may have been 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 If 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:
u am very much obliged to you,
Aunt Emma"
For opening your eyes? You are
entirely welcome. 1t occurred to me
that 1t was just possible you might
not be realizing the full significance
OF what such intentions ordinarily i'm
ply. 1t Is apt to be a shock to a girl
II 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 If 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 Of being seriously sought 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
or 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 SO before" she continued,
as Mrs. Stage gazed at her in blank
bewilderment, "but was having such
a 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
situation in a college,"
Eleanor, what do you mean?'
II have my own living to make,
Aunt Emma"
Mrs. Stage 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 can do equally well here,
should prefer to remain rather than
| 60 West; but imagine that there are
more opportunities in some Of the
smaller new Western colleges or AGA.
denies for the kind Of position
would rather have"
Eleanor, are you crazy? Do you
realize what you are saying? Pupils!
A position in college! And all be.
cause | suggested that o young man
might be in love with you! gave
you credit for more sense" d
Emma rocked her chair with offend.
ed dignity that found vent for Its
pent-up annoyance in another scornful
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 1t, except that II 1t
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 a little longer ! am pro
posing merely to carry out the plan
l have had in mind all along-my life
work."
| Emma looked at her CllrlOuSlY.