The Holly chieftain., 1903-05-29
MRS. HAROLD stage.
Copyright Bonner

smoothing out her work again. But
let me say, ne has not made con-
hdahte OF me. ! am merely judging
by appearances. Perhaps l am entire
ly mistaken -
1T would alter everything" Flea
hor was answering the query. What
makes you think so, Aunt Emma?
He has been very kind-very. but it
never occurred to me that it could be
possible-that he
She broke off without finishing
looking at her aunt with a distressed
air and twisting her fingers neryously,
You are very young, Eleanor"
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, it 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..
RACES attention-his flowers, his con.
slant preference for your society?"
U
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
oesolately. 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 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; Pm only teasing It
Is very likely his own fault il YOU
didn't know. Men are often SO fear
iuliy commonplace in their speech
even when their actions seem de-
voted"
Eleanor said, with fervor, after a
moments silence:
Il 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 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 il she had been more or less
prepared, though no girl is ever quite
prepared"
Emma spoke calmly. She was dis
tIrbed 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 1t, and that time would effect a
change. 1t was advisable to give her
ali accurate glimpse of the truth. and
yet veil it 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.
Il 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 l was having such
pleasant time l let myself drift
along
Work Eleanor? don't under
stand you"
You know | have always meant
to be a 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 l need, | should
Ike to try to get some pupils, or
situation in a college,
Eleanor, what do you mean?"
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? l feared that we
should not be able long to compete
with the attractions of the wild and
woolly West"
t"lf | 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