The Democratic advocate., 1907-01-25

SuidT; pOily CTedIuTe, WIFI tue alF Vi q
drum major She marched into the room,
and, without giving me time to speak,
opened on me with fire of questions re-
garding my aunt, particularly as to her
views on certain church questions. Rail-
ton was seized with most distressing fit
of coughing, at which she turned and
glared at him-or, rather, at the news
paper, for he was completely buried be-
hind it.
''Next, gentleman, please-lady, ]
mean,' he called out to the waiter, when
we had got rid of her. Confound him
He seemed to be quite enjoying the thing,
while | felt most horribly uncomfortable.
The next was timid little old maid,
who couldn have looked cheerful if she
had been paid for it; the next, fippant
damsel of the housemaid type, who talked
about my chant, and sailed out of the
room with her nose in the air when | said
I was afraid she wouldn't suit. And ST
it went on As one after another was
shown in | heard the warning cough from
behind the newspaper, until | positively
felt that | could stand it no longer,
''Shall | give it up?'' | said to Rail
ton during pause in the proceedings, wip
ing my hot face.
mo, no." he grinned. $50 on, my
boy; you are doing remarkably well. .
| braced myself for the ordeal again,
and went on. But it was no use. Every
fresh applicant, as l knew very well, would
have caused my aunt to hold up her hands
in horror. Some were cheerful enough,
it is true; but | had strong suspicion
that their cheerfulness was derived from
that source to which the immortal Mrs.
Camp was wont to turn for comfort.
| was just about to give up in despair
when the waiter made his appearance once
more and announced:
Miss Lucy Maynard. .
| glanced toward the door and the next
second was on my feet, rendering chair
to young and extremel y pretty girl, who
ing air of shyness and timidity.
Evidently she was quite out of place in
such situation as this, and glanced at me
as though | was some harsh, stern faced
Judge. in whose features she wished to
read her fate
In a few simple words she told me her
story. Her parents were dead; until lately
she had resided with an aunt, who was
dead also. She was alone in the world,
and wished to secure situation as COM
panion for the sake of home.
''You may find the country drawback
in this instance, | said.
Il love the country she answered,
looking at me with those truthful eyes OF
hers.
And | fear the salary is small; only
thirty pounds a year.
''Oh, it is ample; more than [ had
dared to hope for. And | should be SO
grateful if you could arrange that | should
be given trial. .
A trial she should have; of that | was
determined. 1t struck me just then that
| had not yet ascertained Railton' opin-
ion, and glanced round at him. The
newspaper was laid fiat across his knees,
but he was so taken up with Miss May
nard that he had quite forgotten to rub
his chin. He remembered it the next
moment, and fell to rubbing it with aston,
ishing vigor.
Seeing that he approved so warmly,
sat down at once and wrote a note to my
aunt, in which | strongly recommended
the bearer, Miss Lucy Maynard, as suit
able companion in every way. Armed
with this introduction, the young lady
took her departure with smile of thanks.
| felt sure that Aunt Caroline would be
delighted with her.
The next day, however, when [ came
to review the matter calmly, | had one ol
two cold misgivings. The more | thought
of it the more uneasy | grew. For the
following day or two [ lived in fear ano
trembling, dreading that Aunt Caroline
might summon me from town at any mo-
ment and demand what | meant by send
ing down such young and inexperienced
girl.
On the third morning | received a post
card-my aunt had weakness for post
cards-which, to my immense relief, con
tanned the words, Charmed with Lucy.
I was quite ready to indorse that opin'
ion. In fact, on the very first oppor
tunity--and | thought it an age until Il
arrived-I ran down to the country again
to see my aunt, of course.
found that had gone up immensely
in Aunt Caroline's estimation. She saic
she felt really grateful to me for having
sent her such dear, good girl, who was
the greatest comfort to her and frightened
the whole house.
Nor was Lucy's welcome any less cor
dial. She received me in half-shy, half
laughing manner, and laughed outrigh
when | alluded to my terrible ordeal at thu
hotel and described some of the applicant
whom had interviewed.
[ had come down with the intention o.
staying few days only, but somehow m.
visit heightened into weeks. An'
Lucy" | said one day, don't b
alarmed but really | feel sorely tempted
to rob my aunt.
ssRob you aunt p she exclaimed, open
ing her eyes.
eyes; rob her''
"Of what tY'
''Of her companion. "
She tried to laugh it off, but the tell
tale color stole into her cheeks.
1.-The companion would naturally expec
to have voice in the matter, she said
Naturally. But if my aunt consented
the companion would-'
"Consent, too, she murmured.
And from my own experience, as we
as that of my aunt, I think | have ever
reason to pride myself upon being goo
hand at Choosing Companion.
Gillette to Take Appeal.