The Washington times., 1906-09-16
-aa09>= AUTHOR OF"TfE JUNGLE 80.

stirred by a new emotion; she had
seldom before thought Of anything but
the happiness OF the hour.
Just think OF Il, my love" continued
Mrs. Roberts, "and know that that is
what your old auntie was thinking ~
when you were only "a little tiny girl,
sitting upon her knee, and when you
were so beautiful that artists used 20
beg TO have YOU pose for them,
never said anything about Il then, be
cause you were too young 10 under
stand these things; but now that you
arc TO manage yourself, : have been
waiting for "a chance 10 tell you, so
that YOU may see What prize is
yours II YOU are only wise. And II
you wonder why I have cared 50
much and thought so much OF what
might be yours. the only reason I can
give is that you are nay niece, ana that
/ felt that airy triumph you might
win would be mine. I want you 20 win
a higher place in the world than mine,
Helen, 1 never had such a gift rs
yours"
Helen was silent for minute. deep
IS thoughtful
"Iel .-.e. aUntie." she asked. "and
is 10 really true then. that a woman
is 20 tram herself and grow beautiful
and 20 have 50 much trouble and
money spent upon her-only for her
marriage
why. OF course. Helen: what else
can d woman d02 Unless you have
money and a husband you cannot pos
slbly hope 10 accomplish anything in
errfarr- with r-1-rr rafaur= arF r-r-r-
beauty you might go anywhere and
rule anywhere, but you have 20 have
money before you can even begin"
But where am 70 meet such a
rich man. Aunt PoIly?" asked Helen.
"Tou know perfectly well where.
10 YOU suppose that after ! have
worried myself about you all This
time / mean 20 desert you now and
when you are all that ever dared
dream off Ny dear Helen. ! am
more interested Ga YOU just now than
On anything else in tHe world / feel
as a card played feels when Millions
are NJ stake. and when he knows Jhat
he holds the perfect haud2'
THAT is very nice" caid Helen.
laughing nervously But there IS
always a chance Of mistake"
There IS none this time, Helen, for
/ am an old player. and I have been
picking and arranging my hand for
long, long years: aud you are the
hand my love. and the greatest glory
Of IL all must De yours
Helens heart was throbbing stu
faster with excitement. as II she were
already tasting the wonderful triumph
that was before her; her aunt was
watching her closely. noting how the
blood was mounting 90 her bright
cheeks The girl felt herself sudden
ly choking win her pent-up excite
ment. and she stretched out her arms
with a strange laugh.
"Auutie," she said. you tell me too
much AT once
The other has been marshaIing her
forces like a general during the last
few minutes. and she felt just then
as II there were nothing left but the
Tout All that I tell you. you may
see for yourself she said Il don't
ask you 10 take anything on my word,
for YOU have only 10 look IN the glass
and compare yourself with the women
you meet You will find that all men
VIII turn their eyes upon you when
you enter a room.
Helen did not consider IL necessary
10 debate that question. You have
invited some rich man 10 meet me az
your house, shs asked.
81 was goins 20 say nothing TO you
about it al first" said the other. and
let you find out. But I thought after
ward that it would be better 70 tell
you, so that you could manage for
yourself I have invited all the men
whom Mr.. Roberts and I thought IL
would be best for you 70 meet
Helen gazed AZ her aunt silently for
a moment, and then she broke into q
nervous laugh. a regular exposi-
ton O." she said. and you'll bring
them out one by one and put them
through their PAGES. won't you,
aunre2 And have them labeled for
comparison-so that 1 can tell Just
what stocks they own and how they
stand on the Street" DO you remem-
her the sutton in M0liere?-'Jai des
beaux mile Iivres de rente; JaI le
corps sam; Jai des besus dentist"
II was a fash of HeIens old merri-
ment. but ii did not seem so natural as
usual. even to her. She forced herself
to laugh, for she was growing more
and more excited and uneasy.
My dear said Aunt Polly, please
do not begin making fun again
But You must let me joke a little.
auntie," said the girl. II have never
been serious for so long before"
You ought TO be serious about it.
my dear"
Il will" said Helen. II have really
listened attentiveiy; you must tell me