The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1906-10-26


That will be very nice" remarked
Mrs. Eliot, you and Mabel can travel
together. She had an invitation from
her aunt, too"
What" exclaimed Violet, and her
color deepened, you don't mean TO
tell me that she has asked you!"
Eyes, I've just been reading the let
ter" rejoined Mabel. Mother wishes
me to accept"
Il really cannot see why! You'd
be quite a fish out of water up there.
believe Aunt Jane has a splendid
place, and no end of fine servants,
smart guests, and gay doings-en-
tirely out of your line!"
"That is true" admitted Mrs. Eliot,
mabel has never shared in any
amusements, so l have decided that
she is to write and accept her aunt's
invitation, and she will travel up to
Scotland on Wednesday morning"
AS it was evident that Mabel had no
time to spare for her cousins sewing.
Violet presently departed, not merely
angry, but aggrieved.
On Wednesday, however, the two
girls travelled together. Mabel enjoyed
the trip immensely
But 1t must be confessed that
Violet was a most selfish and peevish
companion. She accepted the best
seat, the papers, the railway rug, as
matter of course. and to the I'M
initiated. she was so fine, so hard TO
please, so domineering. she might
have passed for a lady travelling with
her maid: for Mabel's costume was
plain, and her manners obliging and
unassuming. At Falkirk a huge,
GREATNESS, old woman in black was
taken on. Her clothes were whole
and decent, but she wore thread
gloves, carpet slippers, and carried in
her hand a quantity Of vegetables,
tied up in a large red handkerchief.
She looked about as she mopped her
! face, then began to make an anxious
search for something. She tried sew
eral pockets in her dress, one in her
pettlcoat, but evidently the quest
proved vain, for bursting into sudden
tears, she sobbed.
"Oh, girls, I'm in awful distress!
I've lost me purse! Whatever viii be-
come of me?" She addressed herself
specially to Violet, who returned her
appeal with a CLASSY stare.
1T had four good shillin' in it-thinlI
o. that. and when l get to Doune,
what will do without penny piece|'
Violet turned away her face pointed
", and looked out of the window, but
the persevering old creature moved up
opposite to her. and resumed:
Can We no do anything for me-"
NO" snapped the young lady.
"Well, it's extraordinary! she ex'
claimed "it's extraordinary!
Violet gazed out of the window, and
made no reply.
Maybe the servant-maid will assist
me?" urged this most persevering of
beggars, also shifting her seat, and
staring hard at Mabel. IF you let me
have even half-a-crown dear, it would
be a great matter for me. and. maybe
come back to yourself" and she eyed
her eXpectantly.
Mabel slowly produced shabby
purse (it was an old friend), which she
emptied into her lap. 1t contained
balf-a-sovereign, third-class return
ticket, three stamps, and half-a-crown
Don't be a fool" expostulated Vic
let, she's an old impostor, and will
only spend it in gin!"
Mabel said nothing but reached
across, and placed a half-crown in q
greasy-looking. black-threaded palm.
Then God bless you, dearie!" said
the old woman, you will never regret
this days charity. It's the poor thai
will help the poor!" and as the trair
was now steaming into Doune station
she rose, seized her bundles. and de
scended on the platform, with almost
ungrateful alacrity.
How soft you were, Mabel" re
marked her cousin, throwing ava!
your money like some grandee! I'm
sure Aunt Jane will be amused wher
she hears how easily you are i'm
posed on"
We'll it's mistake on the RICH
side" rejoined Mabel. I'D rath
er run the risk of being imposed OIL
: than chance refusing a case of rea
distress"
1t was not long before the traveller
were driving up the approach to thei
: aunts house, an imposing countr!
place, on the banks of the River Teith
> Everything spoke of wealth.
In less than five minutes the doc
opened, and who should enter but thu
old woman who had lost her purse.
Her identity was unquestionable, al
+ though she appeared to be reduced Z
4 half her size. and was dressed in hand
some mourning.
! I'VE have all met already" she be
/, gan, without the smallest hesitation
2 or embarrassment. YES" and sh
: stared at the almost paralyzed Violet
I I'm your Aunt Janet; your mother
E sister. She would tell you that / wa
I always eccentric. and mad for dressini
up, and acting, when ] was young!
S was anxious to see what you tw