Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-05-29
CHAPTER WI.

sitting on the piazza.
Il think your uncle really enjoyed
his visit"
Il am sure he 'dld-every minute of
IT,"
"He seems very fond of you"
"oh. he Is: and ! 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 shs said: Il see here
that MIR. Pages yacht Barbara started
nom New York day before yesterday.
On cruise northwnrd.'
'Ah. then he will soon be here"
said Emma. biitheiy.
Eleanor sat silent for q few mo-
mcnts, looking ont over the sea.
''iias MIR. Page no regular occupa.
ton. Aunt Emma?" she asked. sud.
denly.
He Is not In business. II you mean
that" replied Mrs. Stage. after brief
contemplativc survey Of her fancy
work. You KNOW" she added. there
would be no use In his going Into
business. for he has nil the money he
needs. and In these times Il is much
easier To lose money than to make IT,"
= wasn't thinking OF business
especially"
well. you know he Isn't n law
yer or n doctor. That In. hc doesn't
practice law. II. may have studied
1, and been admitted to the bar. for
all I know: I shouldn't wonder IL he
had. It's very good thing for n
young man to do. I've Understood. u
you mean by regular occupation n
profession or anything Of that sort. he
has none"
Il thought possibly he might have
some strong interest ! did not know
Of. was aware he was not In any
active profession
'intcrcst?'" echoed Emma. Il
should say h. had .rca, many In
,orcsts.' And then. ms Eleanor seem.
ed to be waiting for her to continue.
she said. firmly. but with little
warmth; ''Hc IL excessively fond OF
horses and his yacht. I believe he
had something to do with designing
the model OF his own. He is
splendid shot. lie has travelled
great deal. and speaks several Ian.
guascs. He has n small stock farm.
and I've heard him say that when he
settled down. he expected to enlarge
II and live in the country most of the
year. Yes. should say. on the whole.
that he had n very strong interest In
fnrming---in farming and in animals.
Naturally. ut present he spends
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
Mt her niece rs she spoke. with
meaning smile. Eleanor started md
flushed violently. Then shc bent over
her work. and there was an awkward
stiffness. Presently Emma interrupt
ci It by saying:
Il have known n great many In.
stances where women have exercised
n vast amount of influence over men
that were in love with them. There
is Tiliy. Mcvane. for instance: her
husband drank like n fish before she
married him. but he promised. II 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
Mr.. Page. I have never heard u word
breathed against him on the score OF
habits. know he is charitable, and
is always doing kind things; and
though he may not have your taste
for books and study. have no doubt
that he would be only too ready to
take an interest in everything that In
terested you. Look at me. | scarce
ly ever opened book before i was
married. and now, what with select
irg them for Harold. l consider my
self quite a literary person. 1t isn't
wise for people to be too much alike
at first
"Do you mean to say, Aunt Emma"
said Eleanor. when these remarks
we're concluded, that you think Mr..
Page is in love with me?" Her
cheeks were glowing vividly as she
spoke. and she clasped .her hands In
front of her.
you ought to be the best judge of
that yourself, my dear" said Emma.
suavely, but rather alarmed withal. by
the young girls serious demeanor.
II should never have thought of
such n thing if.you had not implied
it,"
We'll. well, what harm If he is
little enamored?' replied her aunt,
smoothing out her work again. But
let me say, he has not made a con-
fidante of me. I am merely Judging
by appearances. Perhaps | am entire
ly mistaken"
'It would alter everything" Flea
nor was answering the query. What
makes you think SO. Aunt Emma!
lie has been very kind-very. but 1t
never occurred to me that 1t could be