The Elbert County tribune., 1903-05-28
MRS. HAROLD STAGG.
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Emma was provoked with herself for
having spoken What she had feared
anu yet believed impossible was the
oase' me child had not realized the
situation. However. 1t was toe late
70 ura~ back now: she might gloss
tne matter over II IL came to the
worst but she had better open the
chilas eyes little. what did you
suppose was the meaning OF all Mr..
fages attention-his flowers. his con
s'ahi preference for your society?"
! knew he liked me, of course"
Liked you? -rhat is rather n
vague term, my dear. Didn't Il ever
occur to you that he liked YOU very
much better than any one else?"
I'm afraid that didn't think much
ABOUT what he meant" she answered,
uosoiately. i've been acting wrongly.
Aunt Emma. II was pleasant going
on and on. and didn't realize. oh,
yes I've been very wrong"
Nonsense. What is there wrong
about 1t? You may have been a little
obtuse. perhaps, but you'll know an.
other time. or rather henccforth. for
maybe there won't be another time.
You mustn't mind me, dear" she add
ed, noticing that Eleanor writhed at
the innuendo; I'm only teasing. II
Is very likely his own fault II you
didn't know. Men are often so fear
fuiiy commonplace in their speech
even when their actions seem de-
voted"
Eleanor said, with fervor, after n
moments silence:
y am very much obliged to you,
Aunt Emma"
For opening your eyes? You arc
entirely welcome. 1t occurred to me
that 1t was just possible you might
rot be realizing the full Significance
OF what such intentions ordinarily i'm
ply. 1t is apt to be shock to girl
II man Offers himself without hav-
Ing made his intentions pretty clear
ciear beforehand. and In such cases
she sometimes says things she would
not say If she had been more or less
prepared. though no girl is ever quite
prepared"
Emma spoke calmly, She was dis.
tnrbed by Elcnnor's manner, and vet
she judged that her shrinking from
the idea of being seriously sought in
marriage proceeded from the novelty
OF II. and that time would effect a
change. 1t was advisable to give her
an accurate glimpse of the truth, and
yet veil It sufficiently not to offend
or disgust her maidenly instincts. She
hoped she had accomplished this, and
accordingly she was little prepared
for the reply she now received.
y think. Aunt Emma, the sooner
get TO work the better. | ought to
hzte done so BEFORE she continued.
as Mrs. Stagg gazed at her in blank
bewilderment. but was having such
pleasant time let myself drift
along"
Work Eleanor? 1 don't under
stand you"
You know | have always meant
to be teacher. Uncle Harold per
suaded me TO come East with him
on account of the boys, but now that
they are established at school, and |
have had all the rest need, should
like to try to get some pupils, or a
situation in college"
Eleanor, what do you mean?"
Il have my own living to make,
Aunt Emma"
Mrs. stagg broke into nervous
laugh.
Are you getting tired of us so
soon, my dear? I feared that we
should not be able long to compete
with the attractions OF the wild and
woolly West"
III I can do equally well here, I
should prefer to remain rather than
go West; but imagine that there are
more opportunities in some OF the
smaller new Western colleges or aca.
denies for the kind of position /
would rather have"
Eleanor, are you crazy? Do you
realize what you are saying? Pupllsl
A position in a collegel And all be
cause suggested that a young man
might be in love with youl gave
you credit for more sense"
Emma rocked her chair with offend
ed dignity that found vent for Its
pent-up annoyance In another scornful
laugh. Could the child possibly be in
earnest? 1t was too ridiculous: and
yet there she sat. with her hands
clasped before her. and an intense
expression which might betoken any
thing.
No. Aunt Emma, Mr.. Page had
nothing to do with IL. except that II 1t
had not been for him I should very
likely have begun TO make some in
qulries before we came to Beverly as
to my chances Of finding employment.
ought to have done so. but, as have
already said. was weak enough to
put 1t on little longer. am pro-
posing merely to carry out the plan
have had in mind all along-my life
work"