The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1904-09-23
MRS. HAROLD stage.
- Copyright.

y g.
Emma was provoked with herself fol
having spoken. What she had feared
and yet believed impossible was the
case; the child had not realized the
situation. However, it was too late
to draw back now; she might gloss
/ the matter over If It came to the
worst, but she had better open the
child's eyes little. What did you
suppose was the meaning Of all Mr.
Pages attention. his flowers, his con
slant preference for your society?"
Il knew he liked me, of course"
Liked you? That is rather q
vague term. my dear. Didn't It 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
desolately. 1--WE been acting wrongly.
Aunt Emma. It was pleasant going
On and on, and ! didn't realize. oh,
yes, I've been very wrong" III
Nonsense, What is there WRONG
about It? You may have been little
obtuse. perhaps, but you'll know an.
. otner time. or, rather hencefefth, for
maybe there won't be another time.
You mustn't mind me. DEAR" she add.
ed, noticing that Eleanor writhed at
the innuendo;s I'm only teasing. II
Is very likely 3his own fault If you
didn't know Men are often SO fear
fully commonplace in their speech
even when their actions seem de.
voted"
Eleanor said. with fervor, after a
moments silence:
Il am very much obliged to you,
Aunt Emma"
For opening your eyes? You are
entirely welcome. 1t occurred to me
that it was just possible you might
not pc realizing the full Significance
Of what such Intentions ordinarily i'm.
ply. 1t is apt to. be a shock to@a girl
1t man offers himself without hay
ing made his intentions pretty clear
clear 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
tIrbed by Eleanor's manner, and yet
she judged that her shrinking from
the idea of being seriously sought in
marriage proceeded from the novelty
OF it, and that time would effect
change. It was advisable to give her
an accurate glimpse Of the truth, and
yet veil 1t 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. LII
n Il think Aunt Emma, the sooner l
get to work the better. I ought to
have done SO before" she continued,
as Mrs. Stage gazed at her in blank
bewilderment, "but was having such
pleasant time, I let myself drift
along"s N0I E%4#3glfE4
Work, Eleanor? I don't under
stand you"
You know have always meant
to be teacher. Uncle Harold per-
suaded me to come East with him
ION account of the boys, but now that
they are established at school, and I
have, had all the rest need, l should
like to try to get some pupils, or a.
situation In A. college" III II
Eleanor, what do you mean?"
i II have my own living to make,
Aunt Emma" ,.
{ Mrs, Stage broke into nervous
laugh. '''>
Are you getting tired of us so
soon, my dear? feared that we
should not be able long to compete
with the attractions of the wild and
woolly West"
IF I can do equally well here, I
should prefer to remain rather than
60 West; but I imagine that there are
more opportunities in some of the
smaller new Western colleges or AGA
denies for the kind Of position I
would rather have" r,e.., yf,r-J
I. Eleanor, are you crazy? Do you
realize what you are saying? Pupils!
A position in a college! And all be-
cause I1suggested that a young man
might be in love with you! I gave.
YOU credit for more sense" - T. T.
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? It was too ridiculous; and
yet there she sat, with her hands
clasped before ,her,ssand an intense
expression which might ibetoken any,
enc, Aunt Emma, Mr.. Page had |
to do with 1t. except that II II |
had not been for him / should very |
likely have begun to make some In.
quiries before we, came to Beverly, as
to my chances Of. finding employment.
ought to have done SO, but. as have
already said, Twas weak enough to
put It of little longer. am pro-
posing merely to carry out the plan
have had in mind all aiong-my life
"orkf ,,.ayrlT ~ oqi{l ed |