Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-11-03
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
PAUL AVERY'S UNASSlSTED
CHOICE


had divided on the question before
them. II was quite evident. too, thai
the mother and daughter had united
against the son and brother and that
the young man was putting up spirit.
cd protest.
Il suppose" he cried, 81 suppose !
am an old fogy, just as you say, but
really, mother, what's the use?
don't want to be dragged into society.
find the company of butterfly maid.
ems and vapid youth bore. I'm made
that way and cant help II. II you wish
I'll take you and Laura to the Rem.
ingtons' ball. but don't expect me to
make myself agreeable to the rest Of
the female contingent"
Paul Avery's tone was a decided one.
The stout, amlable looking lady whom
he addressed as mother, and the pretty
girl leaning over the latter's chair,
Iazed at each other hopelessly.
Then the pretty girl branched of in
another direction.
But, Paul, we want you to have n
good time. II you NOPE in corners as
e your boots pinched you and don't
hustle to find partners for me you'll be
wretched and mamma and | shall feel
n though We were sacrificing you. Be.
sides, there's the lovelest new girl for
you to meet"
only one?"
THE only one. She's very beautiful"
"Of course"
And so accomplished"
mo doubt"
And interesting"
The young man nodded
They all are" he said in his Gym.
ical way. Then he quickly added, drop
II, Laura. It's no use. II you fling
any more half ledged debutantes or
newly rich heiresses, or slangy athletic
girls at me, I'll shake the whole thing
and turn hermit. don't blame the
glrls--but won't have you and moth.
er making me ridiculous-as well as
your charming proteges."
But the girl persisted.
"Oh. Paul, you don't understand!
This girl isn't frivolous at all. Why,
she is just your ideal"
The brother laughed.
"Gossie! What do you know about
my ideal? can assure you she's not
to be found in society, scrambling after
cotillion favors, nor posing on the box
of a four.in.hand, nor cavorting about
In a Whirlpool Of fetes and functions.
No, no. You and mother are ideal
enough for me and you know you'd
cry your eyes out II deserted you for
the best girl on earth. BY the way.
called on Aunt Jane today She was
awfully busy. Had TO get an assistant.
What's up?"
an assistant" repeated his mother.
Co, lone has been appointed sec.
r,lary OF tie new Federation OF Aid
Soci los. She feels greatly honored,
but there's a mass OF work to put her
new Office In order. mt Jane Is
fine organizer arr has cvacutire abil.
ity, but when i comes down TO small
matters, fear she Ia no head for de.
tall It's no wonder she requires an
assistant. Who can II be?"
The young man chuckled.
"Of course you and Laura wouldn't
know her. She can't be in your set"
he remarked airily, but Aunt Jane
kept me to lunch so we were soon quite
well acquainted. Now there's a useful,
sensible girl mean young lady-for
you. No Alterations. Perfectly unas.
Stunning. Her name is Westburn-Miss
Linda Westburn."
Poor tning!" erie. Laura suddenly.
and her voice was loud enough to
drown a sudden exclamation from her
mother Aunt James executive abil.
ity come in wonderfully handy at get.
ting work out of other people, and
there's no doubt Miss Eastburn or
whatever her name Is, can earn her
salary. Fancy those befuddled ac.
counts TO straighten--with stern Aunt
Jane at her elbow. Paul, is she pref.
tyr"
The youth paused and gazed
thoughtfully into the glowing fireplace
II should call her fine looking" he
replied. "And really her manner was
quite cultured. She must have seen
more prosperous days. She was never
intended for that sort of work"
The pretty sister had turned her
back and was intently studying rath.
er uninteresting photograph on the
mantel.
Really, mamma, we must call at
Aunt James and meet this delightful
Person. Maybe we can prevent auntle
from giving her too hard a grind"
Certainly, we will go, dear, only
you mustn't bother your aunt about
the work" replied Mrs, Avery. but to
return to our first subject | must de.
cline your services as escort tonight,
my SON. As Laura says, we don't wish
you to be martyr for our sakes, ana
would rather leave you to your books