The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-10-29

Aunt Annie, What are you thinking
about" asked Lille, her chery-red lips
parting with a smile which partially dis
played the tips Of two even rows of pearl.
Nothing, child; nothing in particular"
Il was just thinking, Aunt, how nice II
would be if you and Mr.. Redgrave were
to marry" .....
"Oh, child hushw cried Mrs. Flaxman
elevating her hands in horror, at the same
time blushing profusely.
With a peal of siIvery laughter, whose
ripping music Hoated out through the open
ca sement, the fun-loving girl declared:
why, Aunt Annie, you like Uncle
How do you know l do. child" @--
you said So
''When?''
Mrs. Flaxman dropped her sewing in
her lap and raised her troubled eyes to the
face of her niece.
Just now: your eyes, which are the
windows Of the soul, say so," and merry
peal of laughter drowned the remark the
aunt made about the absurd notions of an
absurd child.
Now, Aunt Annie, don't pretend that
you don't like him
81 know Mr.. Redgraye is very nice
mani
And about your own age"
'Yes, perhaps he is, but
"And you admit that he is well enough
off to support wife,
Certainly, you provoking child. No
one denies that: but
And he is old enough to think of matri-
mony."
connection with the subject!' declared
Mrs. Fiaxman desperately.
How do you know he don'tG"
Because he has never said anything to
me about it."
"YOu have never encouraged him."
Mrs. Flaxmnn, who saw the drift of
Lilies discourse, determined TO change
it if she could; SO she adopted the wisest
plan possible:
Has the young Government official pro-
posed to you, LillieE'
"Who in the world can you mean, Aunt
Annie?"
mir. Frank Vernon
1t was Lilies time to turn crimson, and
| for d single instant lose herself in confu-
| sion, but recovering, she stammered:
do you think he cares to propose?'
81 know he Does Aunt Annie answer
ed. ~ can read his eyes: they are the
souls of the windows, and speak more
| certainly than words can"
We'll, since you are SO good at read
| ing the thoughts through the eyes," said
| of John Redgrave, when he went to sleep
AMI fell from the piazza on his last call
| Mrs. FlaXman, who was something OF
a wit herself, answered.:
| How could read his eyes, when they
/ were shut! One so stupetied with drink
can have no thoughts, Lille. l wonder
that you tolerate such a sot."
| Only for your sake, Aunt Annie"
For my sake; why, what do you mean
child?
81 mean that I dare not offend Johr
Redgrave for fear might offend his uncle
and that would lessen your chances OF
catching the handsomest and richest bach
elor in Kentucky"
flush, hush, You provoking child.
said Mrs. Faxman. "You need not toler
ate that drunken fellow for one moment
on nay account I really detest him"
Now. Auntie. couldn't you love him To-
his uncle's sake?"
"No, and l am quite sure his atten
tentiOns to you are distasteful to Franz
Vernon"
"what authority has Frank Vernon
over me?"
"He loves you"
"Who don't2" she asked with a laugh
well, l don't believe any one can hell
loving you. naughty as you are; but b.
loves you differently from others"
He has never said go" answered Lilli
archly.
HAS he never spoken with his eyes?"
"Well. you know. Aunt, one can't al
ways tell what the eyes say, unless one 4
q disinterested party" was tho naive re
ply.
| "When do you expect Frank Vernon
backY
4 Almost any time. It's dificult to Il:
ums for him b como and 20. for he cal
not 6x his time himself"