Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-10-11
been all the morning?r she exclaimed,

kissing him.
He told her breathlessly, and. she
listened to his admiration of the COM
modore with rising color.
isn't he perfectly splendid, Aunt
Marjorie? They say there are ten ele-
plants and the lions growl something
awful! But won't be afraid with the
commodore. Only 1 wish you were
coming too. Wouldn't you like it?
I'm sure he'd take you, too, if you
asked him"
NO, honey, IL don't think so. I
don't expect to see the commodore
again; we've aren't friends any
more"
"Oh, auntie!'' exclaimed Willie, in
genuine dismay. "And he's so good
too"
Willie thought for a minute that his
Aunt Marjorie was going to cry, and
then he was surprised to hear her say
In manner singularly unlike her
usual gentleness. Maybe some peo-
pie think he is good, but 1 know bis
true character, and I do not think you
ought to go around alone with him."
This speech was rendered with all the
dignity that woman of the world,
aged nineteen, could muster.
You went with him alone to lots
of places" complained Willie. "You
went last night"
YES and that's just the reason I'm
not going again. If man takes girl
to dance and forgets her he will GER
tainly forget little boy when he takes
him to the circus and then what would
happen to your
Really this was awful. Willie had
never seen his dear little aunt in such
a state, but she was very sweet to him
and took him out driving that after
noon, stopping In the village to buy
him candy and lots of fireworks for the
Fourth. He didn't know what to think
about his beloved commodore but saw
him the next day and promptly repeat
ed the whole conversation. 1t seemed
to him the simplest way out of the diff.
ficulty.
Did you forget. commodore?" he in
sisted.
Great Scott, Willie, maybe 1 did;
she says so; but she wasn't lonesome"
he said grimly. Girls are queer crea-
lures, wellington; you'll find that out
some day. But don't say another word
about the circus. I'll fix it some way.
You're going to see it as sure as your
name is Vincingetorix."
So Willie kept his counsel and was
petted much by his auntie for the next
two days. On the morning of the
Fourth he was firing off his crackers
from the open window in his little
nightclothes at 4 o'clock, and Marjorie
said never word of complaint. She
had made up her mind to take him to
the circus herself and to get away early
to avoid any possible conflict with her
former great friend, the commodore
now stranger forever.
Before lunch was over, however, the
commodore's touring car stopped at the
door and the commodore was standing
on the porch, cap in hand, announcing
that he had come.
Yes, l see,' returned Marjorie cool
ly. but deliberately avoiding his gaze
Max had such Il way of looking at one.
But what forT'
why, to take my friend Julius Gaze
| sar to the circus
| Willie looked anxiously from one to
the other in an ecstasy of hope and
suspense.
Il told WILLIE
Yes, l know" he interrupted, but
if you come, too, it will be all right"
'Oh. yes, auntie!' cried Willie, jump
ing with joyful anticipation.
Marjorie tried hard to look cold and
dignified.
Would you spoil that child's day."
asked the commodore, coming closer.
Marjorie, pleasev' His eyes urged her
as well as his voice.
She looked at him. "All right, I'll go.
But it's just ON Willie's account"
ANY reason will d." responded
Max as he helped her into the car.
But maybe you can find better one
before we get home. I'm going to ride
back here with you and William" He
lifted the delighted child, gave him q
hug, and put him in the front seat
with the chauffeur. William the Con-
| Queror is going to have the time of his
| life"