The Washington times., 1906-09-16

you to make you realize what your
wonderful beauty means
How. Aunt Polly2" asked the girl
Have you been reading poetry
mo" said the other. mot exactly;
but YOU know very well IN your heart
what hopes I have for you. Helen.
and I only wish you could appreciate
the gift that has been given you, and
not fling Il away IN any foolish fash
lon. with your talents and your edu-
cation. there IS almost nothing that
YOU might not do"
Yes" said Helen. with all Of her
seriousness. Il often think Of H.
Perhaps. auntle, I might become
poetess!"
The other looked aghast. Helen had
seen the look on her aunts face at the
mention Of her walk with Arthur. and
being a young lady OF electrical wit
had understood just what II meant
and just how the rest OF the CONVEX
satIon was intended 20 bear upon the
matter. With that advantage she was
quite in her glory.
"No, indeed. Aunt Polly" she said;
you can never tell. Just suppose. for
instance. ] were 10 fan in love with
and marry a man Of wonderful genius
who would help me 20 devote myself
10 art? Il would not make any differ
ence. YOU know. II he were poor, We
could struggle and help each other
And oh. tell YOU. If were 20 meet
such a man and 20 know that he loved
me truly, and 10 have proof that he
could remember me and be true 10 me,
even when I was far away-oh. / tell
YOU, nothing could ever keep me-
Helen vas declaimlng her glowing
speech with real fervor, her hands
dramatically outstretched. But she
could not get any farther, for the look
OF utter horror upon her auditors face
was too much for her; she dropped
her hands and made the air echo with
her laughter.
ooh. Aunt Polly. you silly goose!'
she cried. hlnging one arm about her.
have you really forgotten me that
much in three yeaTs?"
The other was so relieved at the
happv denouement Of that fearful
tragedy that she could only protest.
Helen. Helen why do you fool me
so?"
"Becau.s you fool me, or try to-"
said Helen. when you have a sermon
to preach on the improperly Of walk
ing in the woods alone with sus-
ceptibIe young poet I wish you'd
mount formally into the pulpit and be
gin with the text"
My dear" laughed the other. you
are too quick; but I must confess
"Of course You must" said the girl;
and she folded her hands meel1ly and
looked grave. And now 1 am ready.
and If you meet with any difficulties
in the course Of your sermon, I've an
expert at home who has preached one
hundred and four every year for TWEEN
" years, all genuine and no two
alike"
Helen" said the other. II do wish
YOU would talk seriously. with me-
You are old enough to be your own
mistress now, and to do as you please,
but you ought to realize that / have
seen the world more than YOU. and
that my advice is worth something"
Tell II 20 me- said Helen, ceasing
70 laugh a 81 leaning back in the car
riage and gazing At her aunt What
do YOU want me 10 do, now that I am
home? l will be really serious If you
wish me 10. for that does interest me.
7 suppose that my education is finish
cd2"
Yes" said the other. 1t ought to
be certaRly. Yea have had every adj
vantage that a girl can have, great
deal more than l ever had. And you
owe it all 10 me. Helen-you do. really
If it hadn't been for my insisting you'd
have gotten all your education at Hill
town, and YOU have played the piano
and sung like Mary Nelson across the
way"
Helen shuddered and felt that that
was cause indeed for gratitude.
1t is true, said her aunt: I've
taken as much interest in YOU as in
any one of my own children. and YOU
must know H. IL was for no reason
az all but that / saw what a wonder
IuI woman you promised to become.