The Washington times., 1906-09-16
CHAPTER Y-(Continusd.l


ried a wealthy stockbroker who proved
a good investment, trebling lis own
capital and hers I'm a few years. Aunt
Polly therefore had a fine home upon
Madison avenue in New York, and
most aristocratic country few
miles from Oakdale together with the
privilege OF frequenting the best so
ciety IN New York. and OF choosing
her friends among the most wealthy
IN the neighborh50d OF the little town.
This superiority 20 r erring sister
had probably been o" 9 OF the causes
that had contributed 70 develop the
most prominent trait in her character
which is perhaps the most promi-
nent trait Of high society in general
a complete satisfaction with the world
she knew. and what she knew about
II. and the part she played in It. For
the rest, Aunt Polly was one OF those
busuing little women who rule the
world IN almost everything. because
the world finds II is too much trouble
to oppose them. She had assumed, and
had generally succeeded ia having rec
ognized, a complete superiority 70 MI
Davis IN her knowledge about life
with the result that. as has been
stated. the education OF the one child
Of the unfortunate marriage had been
managed by her.
When, therefore. Helen had come or
the steamer. IL had been Mrs. Roberts
who was there 20 meet her; and the
arrangement announced was that the
girl was to have three days 90 spend
20.
come for a week or two TO her aunt's.
who was just opening her country
home and who intended 10 invite
score OF people whom she considered.
for reasons Of her own. proper per-
sons for her niece TO meet. Mrs. Rob
erts spoke very condescendingly in
deed Of the company which Helen met
at her fathers. Mr. Davis having HIS
own opinion about the duty OF
clergyman toward the notwithstanding
members Of his flock.
The arrangement it is scarcely
necessary 20 say, pleased Helen very
much indeed, the atmosphere of lux
ury and easy superiority which she
found at her aunts was much TO her
taste. and she looked forward TO be-
ing a center Of attraction there with
the keauest delight. In the mean time
however. she siaked her thirst for
happiness il ST as well as Oakdale. ac-
cepting with queenly grace the hom-
age Of an who came to lay their pres
ents AZ her feet Sunday proved % be
day OF triumph, for all the town
had come 70 church. and was as much
stirred nv the glory Of her singing as
d 7rr- tod ne
ice every one waited 10 tell her about
It, and so she was radiant indeed.
BY Tuesday. however, all that had
come to seem a trifing matter. for
that afternoon Aunt Polly was 10
come. and a new world was 10 be
opened for her conquest. Helen was
amusing herself by sorting out the
motley collection OF souvenirs and
curios which she had brought home TO
decorate her room. when she heard
carriage drive up at the door. and a
minute later heard the voice OF Mrs.
Roberts footman IN the hall
Mrs. Roberts herself did not alight,
and Helen kept her waiting only Ions
enough 10 slip on her hat. and 10 bid
her father a hurried farewell IN
minute more she was in the carriage.
and was being borne IN state down the
main street of Oakdale.
You are beautiful today. my dear"
said her aunt. beaminE upon her; Il
hope you are all ready for your
triumph"
II think So" said Helen, I've about
seen everybody and everything / want
ed 10 at home; I've been wonderfully
happy, AUntie."
THAT Is right. my dear" said Aunt
Polly. You have certainly every cause
10 be- and YOU would be foolish not
10 make the most OF il. But l should
think this town would seem some
what less important place 10 you, after
aU tina. YOU have seen of the world
yves it does a little" laughed Hell
en-. but il seemed good TO see all the
old people again"
Someone told me they saw Arthur
here on Saturday" said the other.
did you see him2'
"Oh. yes" said Helen; that's what
he came for You can fancy how glad
was TO meet him I spent a couple
of hours walking in the woods with
him"
Mrs. Roberts look of dismay may be
imagined; It was far too great for her
70 hide.
where is he now?" she asked. has
thy
ooh. he has gone home" said Hell
en-. and she added. smiling: "He went
on Saturday afternoon, because he's
writing a poem about thunder-storms,
and he wanted 20 study that one"
The other was sufficiently convinced
of the Responsibility Of poets 20 he
half uncertain whether Helen was jok-
ing or not; 1t was very frequently diff
fcult to tell. anyway, for Helen would
look serious and amuse herself by
watching another persons mystifca-
tion-a trait of character which would
have been intolerable IN any one less
fascinating than she
Perhaps Aunt Polly thought some
thing OF that as she sat and watched
the gil. Aunt Polly was a little wo-
man who looked as II she herself
might have once made some pretense
20 being a belle. but she was very
humble before Helen MY dear" she
said. every minute thar 1 watch you
am astonished to see how wonderful
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