Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-02-17
; THE ESPIONAGE
! OF AUNT ROSE
By Lucy Foster Madison
~ a YHY, George, what is the
A~ matter? You seem to be
in the dumps"
Copyright, 1909, by L. F. Madison
Observation-Disclosures

Wv in the dumps"
81 am" George Martin
turned toward his father with woe
begone look on his face.
"What is it?" asked the father anx-
ously. Money"
mo, indeed: nothing that can be rem
edicd so easily"
We'll. what is it? For a man who is
to be married in two days to the best
and sweetest girl in the world you are
| the most miserable looking wretch l
ever saw"
"Ill tell you all about it, dad, and
you will think that l have reason for
my looks"
"Wait moment" The father arose
and locked the door of the Office. "Now,
my boy"
dad, did I ever tell you how pro-
posed to Clara?"
"No, George. After you spoke to me
on the subject it was some little time
before you told of your engagement
supposed that you were waiting for a
IaNOraDle opportunity.
That's just It," exclaimed George
energetically. ~ was. Father, do you
know that Miss Rose kept so close to
Clara that fellow couldn't get two
words alone with her. If we were ut
party. there was that woman. At pic
MICS it was even worse. Once Clara
and | lost ourselves, and just as
opened my lips to utter the momentous
words. behold there was Miss Rose be-
hind us"'
"How did you manage finally"
81 had just made up my mind that l
would ask Clara before her when one
evening at n musicale Mrs Colburn
called, oh, Miss Rose, may speak to
you a moment? Miss Rose had to go
to her, and we were alone. 1t was an
opportunity not to be lost. Clara,
said, L love you. Will you be my
wife? She had just time to whisper
Yes, George when the enemy was
upon us.
"When we reached the door Of their
home, | said: Miss Rose, may / come
to see you in the morning? | have
something Of Importance to say She
said: Say it now. Clara, my dear, you
may retire l was confused for the
moment, but, rallying put on bold
front and said: Il love Clara. She
loves me. l want her for my wife.
and would like your consent
"She asked, Does your father ap-
prove this George? l answered, He
does Then she said: There is no one
to whom would rather give my niece
than to the son Of your father We
shall be glad to see you on wednesday
and Friday evenings and will expect
YOU to be our escort to all places Of
amusement. Good night Wasn't 1t
cool?"
1T was, rather" said the elder man,
chuckling.
THAT wasn't the worst Of It," went
on George in an aggrieved tone. when
| went to spend the first evening, she
stayed in the parlor the whole time. |
thought she would surely let me see
Clara alone for a few minutes before
leaving; but, no. She looked up and
said in d matter Of fact tone: We are
just among ourselves, George. You
may salute Clara before you CO.
gave Clara a prim, decorous peck on
the cheek and left"
"Is that allY asked his father, hold
ing his sides.
"Allw echoed George lugubriously.
"All! The worst Is to come. You
know that we are to live with Miss
Rose after our marriage. l thought
that things would be different then and
should have Clara all to myself for a
whole month on our trip. But this
morning | received note from Clara
in which she tells me that Aunt Rose
is going with us. Imagine-a chap
eron Oh q wedding journey"
George, you don't mean it?"
Its true" affirmed George; "says
we are too young to go off by ourselves
and that we need some one to look aft
er US"
II have itw exclaimed Martin senior
after a moments thought. "Elope with
Clara"
"Elope with her! Why, the cards are
all out!"
II don't mean now; after the we'd
ding"
George and Clara were married and,
with the usual accompaniment Of rice.
departed in company with Aunt Rose
for tour Of the eastern cities.
Miss Rose and Clara occupied a seat
together, while George sat in front of
them. So decorous was the conduct of
the young people that, save for the
beaming looks cast upon each other,
one would have supposed that they
were a staid married couple Of several
years standing.
For the first few hours the coach was
filed with people, but these dwindled
away until there were but the three
left, when Aunt Rose said affably:
George, we are alone. You might
bold Clara's hand if you WISH"
This is too kind" said George, pos
sessing himself Of Claras hand with
alacrity. Zone would think that you
had gone through with this sort Of
thing yourself, Aunt Rose. You have
so much sympathy for U.s."
Miss Rose gazed hard at the young
man, suspicion darting through her
brain that possibly some sarcasm might
lurk under his speech, but George re-
turned her look with one so full Of In
nocence that she dismissed the thought
as unworthy. Her glance became be-
nign, and she graciOusly turned her
back upon them.
isn't 1t too ridiculous?" whispered
Clara, shaking with laughter. But
you're darling to bear it as you do"
| I---------------