Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-11-04
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
PAUL AYERY'S UNASSlSTED
CHOICE

| to DE COnsidCrcu q woman OF duuII
as beftted an active member Of seven
| teen clubs, a vigorous church worker
ana a strenuous upholder Of reform in
all its forms. Ecr nephew Paul stood
high in her estimation and the look
with which she regarded tho guilty
couple was not one Of mmiXcd sever
Iity.
Wen. I like this" she began.
Young man what do yon mean by run.
ming away with my assistant while I'm.
out Of the house,"
Then before Paul could reply and
very much to his surprise, Linda West.
burn seized the old lady's hands, and,
stopping. imprinted a kiss on the
wrinl>led cheek.
Pooh. pooh" cried Aunt Jane. You
can't cajole me-" Nevertheless she
looked highly pleased.
1T was all my fault said the girl
in penitent tone.
Don't" cried Aunt Jane. I'm tired
of having women meekly and even
cEecrfuly accept all the blame when
there's a man to share 1t. It's been
so ever since the day OF Adam
This Adam doesn't wish to shirk
any of his responsibilities, said Paul.
Hes the prime offender this time"
Don't listen to him. Mrs. Grant"
cried the girl. I'm the one to blame.
The sunshine beckoned me and the let.
tors were tiresome and the ride was 50
pleasant I'd do It over again II | had
the chance"
''HOity, toity!" laughed Aunt Jane.
"The chance Is right here at your
service. Miss Westburn, Paul hastily
put in.
The girl shook her head coquettishly.
NO, no." she said. I'VE should miss
the delightful charm of running away"
We'll, of all bod.faced evil.docrs,"
exclaimed Aunt Jane; Paul, come
around tomorrow and get your punish.
r1ent. ! want your advice on a dozen
matters"
Paul Averys auto had narrow es.
cape from upsetting at the first cor.
nor. His mind was quite absorbed by
the spectacle he had just Witnessed
his stern aunt cajoed by pretty girl
IA hired assistant, who had justly in.
CURED her direct wrath! Why, the
old lady had actually attempted to box
the girls ear Whoever saw Aunt
Jane in playful mood before? How
had this assistant obtained such innu.
ence over her? But was II a wonder?
Wasn't she one girl in a thousand? So
beautiful, SO clever-even an Aunt Jane
couldn't resist such charms.
| And again the auto wheels grazed
a curbstone and sent several pedes
TRANS flying in various directions and
d +" - Of Indignation.
| in,t ! n punishment Avery felt he
lhGd lUdHd reward the next day when
he Ls.i Id the assistant once more alone
at her desk
It's the civic Im~r0vement society
today" expianc' ...as "orth,rn, and
I think she - two others 10 attend
before her retur1"
II wish we could repeat our, yester-
days experience" remarked Paul, seat.
ing himself near the big office desk.
But the skies are cloudy and | expect
n second misdemeanor might not he so
readily overlooked. You must exercise
some potent charm over my aunt |
should have been sorry II our little
"trip had cost you your situation here,
larduous though 1t must be-"
The girl laughed softly, then took up
pnother letter as though wishing To
proceed with her work. But the young
man was Obvious to the hint,
II was going To say" he went on,
that IL, ! meant oask you II you have
settled plans for your future work
for | suppose this Is only temporary,
II hope you won't be offended, but you
see we've introduced a new department
for foreign trade at our place, and what
we need IL a correspondent, some one
who understands French and German
The mills have been under my manage
d ment since my fathers death and
should be honored to have you accept
such position with us, know II isn't
worthy Of your talents, but II Is per
: manent and the salary liberal and We
! should do our best to make it comfort
able for you"
The girl looked gravely at the younG
man.
MIR, Avery" she said, you are very
generous and thank you. Indeed In
; sure you have created this position tC
save me from having to search for EN-
ployment, But in any case could no
accept, There are reasons-ln fact
r you know nothing of me-of my rea
! character my family or past history
}. There has been a misunderstanding
|, You would not make me such an offel
. II you knew all about me, But I've
I never meant to deceive you. There haD
). simply been no occasion to talk abou
myself"