The Holly chieftain., 1903-05-29
CHAPTER WI.

an noun idlfT Sut anu Eleanor were
sitting on the piazza
Il think your uncle really enjoyed
his visit"
Il am sure he did-every minute of
it,
He seems very fond of you"
oh, he is; and l am so glad to
think that he is going to be in New
York. He was telling me about his
quarters: he has taken three rooms in
a clearinghouse, and, I'm sure, from
the description, that he can't be very
comfortable. I've promised to pay
him .. visit. and put him to rights, He
says his socks all need darning," add
ed Eleanor. with laugh She had
looked up from the morning news
paper, to answer Mrs. Stages remark,
and she now resumed her reading. A
moment later she said: Il see here
that Mr.. Pages yacht Barbara started
from New York day before yesterday,
on cruise northward."
'.Ah! then he will soon be here"
said Emma. blithely.
Eleanor sat silent for a few mo-
ments, looking ont over the sea.
Has Mr.. Page no regular occupa-
ton, Aunt Emma?" she asked, sud
denly.
He is not in business, if you mean
that replied Mrs. Stagg, after a brief
contemplative survey of her fancy
work. You know" she added, "there
would be no use in his going into
business. for he has all the money he
needs, and in these times it is much
easier to lose money than to make It,"
Il wasn't thinking of business
especially"
We'll, you know he isn't law
yer or doctor. That is, he doesn't
practice law. He may have studied
it and been admitted to the bar, for
all know; l shouldn't wonder If he
had. It's very good thing for a,
yo1ag man to do, I've understood. If
you mean by a regular occupation a
profession or anything of that sort, he
has none"
Il thought possibly he might have
some strong interest I did not know
active profession"
INTEREST,"" echoed Emma. 'I
should say he had great many in
terests." And then, as Eleanor seem
ed to be waiting for her to continue,
she said, firmly, but with q little
warmth: "He is excessively fond of
horses and his yacht. believe he
had something to do with designing
the model Of his own. He is
splendid shot. He has travelled a
great DEAL and speaks several Ian
guages. He has small stock farm,
and I've heard him say that when he.
settled down, he expected to enlarge
it and live in the country most of the
year. Yes, should say, on the whole,
that he had very strong interest in
farming-in farming and in animals
Naturally, at present he spends a
good deal Of his time in society. One
thing is certain, though, my dear, and
that is he will be ready to do any
thing in reason that you want him
to-"
A sudden impulse had seized Emma
to make this sally, and she looked up
at her niece as she spoke, with
meaning smile. Eleanor started and
flushed violently. Then she bent over
her work, and there was an awkward
stiffness. Presently Emma interrupt
ed it by saying:
Il have known great many in
stances where women have exercised
a vast amount of influence over men
that were in love with them. There
is Tilly McVane, for instance; her
husband drank like fish before she
married him, but he promised, if she
would have him, never to touch an
other drop, and he never has to this
day; and they are happy as turtle
doves. What woman has done woman
can do again, Eleanor, dear; though,
to tell the truth. don't think one
would desire any serious change in
MIR. Page. l have never heard word
breathed against him ON the score of
habits. l know he is charitable, and |
is always doing kind things; and |
though he may not have your. taste
Tor books and study, l have no doubt
that he would be only too ready to |
lake an interest in everything that in
[erested you. Look at me, l scarce |
" ever opened book before | was
and now, what with select
rg them for Harold, consider my
self quite literary person. 1t isn't
wise for people to be too much alike
4, first"
~,