The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-10-26


Il WISH" said my Aunt Jemlma'
looking at me somewhat severely over
her spectacles, Il wish Mr.. Baynes hau
been at home this summer, SO that you
could have been introduced.
why do you wish that, aunt!
asked, indifferently. you expressed
the same desire last year. Are you
specially interested in Mr.. Baynes!
added, naughtily; because. II you are
not, don't see any reason Tor cult
waiting his acquaintance.
f my DEAR" Aunt Jemima replied
with a decided blush, showing through
the tan of her handsome but uncom-
promising countenance, as if she were
ashamed of what she was going 70
Say-as we'll she might be MT.
Baynes is very worthy man
Il hate worthy mem" interpolated
in the tone which always made Aunt
Jemima declare l was a spoiled enid
This time, however, she passed my
comment by with scarcely a 1rown,
and went on calmly, though the blush
Increased slightly, land he is also ex-
ceedingly well off-and a wldoWer.
gave a little gasp. asking wrath
fully what that had to do with me.
ooh! we'll, really, Betty" she STAN
mered, you are now OF a marriage
able age, and-and | do not see any
reason why you should not make Mr..
Baynes happy. He wants wife bad
ly."
do you know Of any reason why
he should make me happy l asked.
with an attempt at sarcasm which was
quite unappreciated.
Eyes, several" my aunt replied,
calmly. LAS l said before, he wants
wife; and l suppose you have no
desire to be an old maid
tossed my head with some indigna-
ton. In my own mind did not fear
that fate very greatly, and | certainly
was not going to be palmed off on any
one in order to escape it.
MY dear aunt! l thought you al
ways maintained that it was the hap
piest life for woman"
For some; not for you, Betty. Be-
sides, you have no fortune, and are
barely clever enough to earn your own
living"
Thanks" said, my temper
which was none OF the coolest-ris-
ing, and showing itself in my burn
ing cheeks; thank you for your frank
opinion of my mental and moral attri-
butes. AS have not sufficient brains
to earn livelihood am supposed to
be willing to marry man old enough
to be my father-for whom l do not
care straw-sO as to have a home!
No, thank you, Aunt Jemima!"
To my surprise this did not arouse
any corresponding ebullition, yet our
tempers were SO very much alike that
4 fully expected my aunt to flare up
in like manner.
MY dear child" she replied, in
quite patient and even tender voice
that is, tender for her, for she was
Of stern and almost manlike dis |
position-'I wish nothing of the sort;
II you do not get to care for him you
need not marry him. Still, think |
you would be very fond of him, and |
am sure he would like you very |
much"
why do you think that?"
"Qh. he would be sure to-" she |
replied, in what I considered an ex-
,eedingly lame manner
We'll, that is the first time ever
heard you express such high opin-
on of my charms!" l said, somewhat
Are they so fatal that he
would have to succumb at once?"
Aunts disclaimer to this query was
more emphatic than fattering, yet she
rave me to understand, distinctly,
hat though my charms were by no
means great. she still believed they
we're sufficient to fascinate Mr..
Baynes.
This only puzzled me more than
.ver, and l could not understand what
my staid aunt to turn her
INTO a matchmaker. She had an I'M
objection to matrimony
n the case Of any one, and particular
y any one belonging to her own fam
ly
None of us ever much looked for
ward to a visit to her quieb> little
house in the quiet little town inn kQr-
ok; but one of us was packed III
~ mother twice year, at mid-sun
ner and about Christmas. l general
y went in the summer, as l could
.ycle, while my two elder sisters hated
he idea of rushing about on wheels.
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