The Somerset reporter., 1905-09-21
CONTRARIETY
DEFEATED
BY MARGARET Richards
Copyright. 1906, by r. B. Mcclure
.s.+*4.*4+4*%%+&%-t4R*++*&+

/ Copyright, 1906, by r. B. Mcclure T
4s.t-+*4+4*4*%%44.%.+.4++++4$+
Martha closed her book with an i'm
patient little bang 81 don't see why
you are forever talking about him."
she exclaimed resentfully.
Aunt Clara, the long suffering look
ed appealingly at her pretty niece.
But, Martha Mrs. Barry makes such
point of your meeting him." she pro
tested plaintiyely.
And l make point of not meeting
him." interpolated her rebelious niece.
But Martha, he is
ooh, l know them ALL" interrupted
Martha - unmarried, well born. good
looking. rich, famous" she repeated
glibly checking Off the words on the
tips of her pretty fingers
He is all that and more" replied
Aunt Clara warmly. land why you
should assume this unreasonable atti-
tude is more than l can understand"
Her niece eyed her resentfully. 81
don't see why | should be expected to
put myself forward for this parugon's
approval" she objected
Aunt Claras voice trembled with
righteous Indignation. Martha Jor-
dan, you talk like an idiot" she said.
'"Then why do you always throw me
at him." demanded Martha.
mo one is trying to throw you at
him." continued her aunt with uneX-
pected energy. HE probably wouldn't
take you if they did
Indeed he wouldn't" murmured her
niece feelingly.
Mrs Barry has asked us to dine
and incidentally to meet her nephew.
| have had to make excuses for you
twice before, Martha. You will 60 this
timeY she pleaded anXiously.
Not l." responded Martha Il shall
not intlict my unworthy presence upon
the Hon. John Clark Chamberlin."
II cannot understand this violent an
tagonism you seem to have developed"
demonstrated Aunt Clara, relapsing In
to her usual state of plaintive protest.
and what reason can l give"
Say | am out of town. l will go
on up to Stockbridge. 1t will be only
two days earlier than we were going
anyhow"
You would be alone" eXpostulated
Aunt Clara.
"Only for two days, and Mrs Reid is
there-you don't mind dear?' coax
ingly.
But
That's darling" Two warm arms
were around Aunt Clara's neck and a
soft cheek pressed hers lovingly. And
now l will make you a cup of nice hot
tea and see if Mary has baked any Of
the cakes you like and perhaps there
will be time enough for me to run
down to Smiths before dinner and get
that lace you wanted"
Poor Aunt Clara subsidized helplessly.
1t was two days later that a young
man, tall. broad shouldered. suit case in
hand, rushed up the steps of the sub
way at the Grand Central station,
dashed through the waiting room,
pushed past the guard at the gate, ran
toward the Pittsfeld express and
leaped on to the steps of the last car
as the train was pulling out of the
station.
"Reg'lar home run, mister" COM
mented the brakeman, who had watch
ed his flying approach with admiring
interest
The young man laughed as he swung
| himself up the steps and into the
crowded car. There must be run on
Berkshires." he reflected as he walked
slowly along the aisle Every seat
was filled The next car was no bet
! ter, but in the third his eyes lighted
on a vacant place
May | sit herel' he asked perfume
torily, CHANGING casually at the other
occupant, then looking again with
growing interest as he realized that
| his prospective neighbor was a decided
| ~ pretty girl. But he was allowed
only the briefest glimpse of pair Of
| gray eyes as their owner vouchsafed
him a formal nod, and he sank thank
! fully into the seat beside her. He
| glanced furtively at her as the train
left the tunnel. The survey was not
encouraging. Evidently the gray eyes,
the dimpled chin, the fair face turned
so steadfastly toward the window,
were not for him.
On and on sped the train. Mamaro-
neck, Rye, Stamford gllded swiftly by
He pulled out his paper and forgot the
proximity of the gray eyes until, look
ing up suddenly, he surprised them
looking into his own She flushed and
turned abruptly to the window, and he
bowed gravely and returned to his
| paper, but the article had lost Its in
+ terest He found himself rebelling at
the convention that prescribed his
| speaking to her and then wondered at
his rebellion. He had never before
shown any symptoms Of undue suscep-
tibillty, he reflected dryly, smiling at
the memory of his aunt's frantic eff
forts at matchmaking on his behalf.
One hour-two hours-three hours
passed On they went, through viii
lagos nesting In shallow valleys, past
| fields white with daisies and on
through long wooded slopes, as the
train wound In and out among the
hills IF sOmpthInQ only would han