The Elbert County tribune., 1903-07-16

was on the point of saying to nis
niece that she had better out with
her mystery whatever 1t was. when
she broke the silence with the query:
Did you ever hear ofla man named
Prof Struthers. Uncle Harold7'
Emma shot glance of triumph at
her husband and folded her arms.
"struthers? struthers? The namo
seems familiar"
prof William Struthers. He is an
electrical engineer
''2'he inventor of the Struthers stor-
age battery7 why certainly: | am
one of his stockholders. He has
made very valuable invention. Yes.
| have met him a number of times.
SO have l." said Eleanor. demurely.
Il net him arst when | was staying
with Uncle Phin five years ago. and
| saw him frequently when Uncle
Phin was so Ill; he helped TO muse
him."
She stopped and there vas another
awkward silence.
We'll. dear?" said Emma from al
admixture of excess OF curiosity. wo-
manly sympathy and fear lest Harold
might be goaded into overt impetu-
csity by further delay.
Eleanor gave a little start as II she
had been pricked by pin. then she
answered with an attempt at direct
ness:
The long and the short of II is
that Prof. Struthers mas asked me to
marry him. and l-er-wished you to
know this before l accepted---a-th
presidency of cfavering.'
II see" said Harold. as she paused.
though the puzzled expression OF his
countenance belied his words
You think it wise for me to ac-
cept. do you not, Uncle Harold?" she
continued eagerly. You approve of
it-you consider 1t an honorable posi-
tion?"
81 have already said So"
II felt sure taat you would think
So 1t has seemed so to me. There
can be no doubt about it," she con.
cluded, emphatically shaking her
head Thank you very much. Uncle
Harold"
"I am sure that do not know
exactly for what" he answered a
moment later.
For confirming my own impression
as to what 1t was the wisest for me to
do"
But It was not until Emma spoke
that the look of mystification on Har-
old's face grew less.
Eleanor means, my dear" said she.
in deliberate tone. that she has had
to decide between Prof Struthers on
one hand and the presidency on the
other. and she has decided in favor
OF the latter
Eleanor sighed and nodded acquies-
cence.
II ought to say. though, that he Is
willing to change his residence and
live here If l will only marry him.
But that would be asking too much
OF him. 1t would not be right
Il should think that II would never
do" said Emma coldly
And therefore," Eleanor continued,
II am SO glad that you agree with me
and think that l am doing what is
wise, Uncle Harold. You mustn' I
mind my crying" she added. realizing
that her voice had suddenly broken
down and that there were tears in her
eyes. 1T is merely nervousness. isn't
IL. Aunt Emma?"
Certainly. dear. And 1t seems TO
me that you are acting very wisely
And 1t seems to me that | have
very little idea what this is all about"
said Harold.
mo matter" pursued Emma
promptly. we know. don't we.
Eleanor?" she said. taking her hand in
hers and stroking 1t softly, And it is
all decided. isn't 1t. dear2"
Yes. it Is all decided was tho
girls answer. accompanied with a
fresh burst of tears. which made Har-
old look decidedly uncomfortable.
We'll. one thing is sure" he said.
almost fiercely, Il give up attempting
to understand women
Ito be continuet.)