The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-09-04

driving from the station he woulC
come in for some tea on the way.
Il am particularly sorry you viii
be out" aunt said, with a worried
look. Gould you not wire?"
mo, l could not" replied, deter.
minedly. you know this is the only
convenient day, and mother would bt
veXed if did not manage to go. Be-
sides, | do not want to see the ole
nuisance, and you can tell him So"
Aunt Jemima sighed, and that was
so unlike her that | was a little com
punctious Immediately. l went over
and sat down beside her.
Il am very sorry, but l cannot help
disappointing you. You are so mat
ter-of-fact and prosaic, aunt, you dc
not understand; but really, to me, il
would be an awful thing to think OF
marrying a man for whom | did moi
care"
Il know it is" she answered meek
ly, and l do not want you to dc
that"
And l never could care for him.
| continued.
You do not know"
"Oh! Yes, do. Never! never! nev-
err"
Aunt Jemima only smiled at my We
hemence and said quietly. you might
in time, child"
mo, l never could! and, aunt, do
you want to marry"
Her look of horror was so great that
tried to improve upon the ques.
ton. Il mean, do you think it is adj
visable for any woman to change her
state of single blessedness?'
mot if she can help it, as rule;
but | have already told you some of
the reasons why l think it would be
wise for you to look favorably on Mr..
Baynes."
"And | have already replied to them.
No, aunt, | shall not marry for the
sake of a home; and shall only mar
ry when | love someone so much that
l want to be his wife, more than any
thing else on earth"
This speech was evidently too much
for Aunt Jemima; and l hurried off to
get myself ready for my ride, leaving
her to digest it at her leisure.
The next evening when | arrived
again at my aunt's, found, to my dis
gust, that Mr.. Baynes had come to pay
a second visit. He was evidently quite
determined to see me. Persistent
wretch" | said to myself, 81 hate you
already!"
81 thought he was coming last
night" l remarked, savagely, to my
aunt, who had met me in the hall
with the news, and was looking lit
tie frightened and triumphan.
so he did-but-he would like to
see you-dear."
Her hesitation riled me s.ill more.
"Then he shall not havs tie Peas
ure!" | said, throwing down my
gloves viciously! Il won't come in!"
"Oh you must!" and aunt's look of
distress was so real that | relented a
little.
well, I'll get you out of the diff
Guilty this time. I'll let him know he
has not any chance!" l calculated, re-
fusing to hear some agitated whisper
Of my poor aunt's, who was terribly
afraid our conversation would be
overheard. | did not mind if it were
and | marched in boldly, resolved to
give this troublesome suitor his quiet
us at once.
Aunt Jemima, however, followed on
my heels.
did not look at all friendly, but
Mr.. Baynes disregarded my grim as
pect.
81 hope we SHALL" he responded gen.
tally, especially as l am going to be
her new uncle"
l sank into chair and gaZed at
them both. In a moment my heart
went out to him-this dear Mr. Baynes!
There was something about his open.
frank, and friendly countenance that
one could not resist; besides, 1t was
such relief to me.
Betty, dear" began my aunt, tim
idly, 81 could not persuade him to
marry any one younger and prettier,
SO just had to give in"
81 am very, very glad!" said, ris-
ing and kissing me, land I'm sure
you will be happy, Mr.. Baynes!"
Ought to be-" he replied, laugh
ing! 1--WE been long enough getting
what | wanted. Your aunt tried to
convince me that she could find a
younger and prettier edition of her
self, but it was no good imagining
any other woman would do for John
Baynes!"
Aunt Jemima blushed most becom-
ingly and could not help hoping that
Tom would always feel like that tow
ards me.
'Moreover"-and there was a wick
ed twinkle in Mr.. Baynes' eyes-'I am
told at last, after all your aunt's ro-
mancing, that this younger and pref
tier edition would not listen to any
of her suggestions, but secuted the