The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-09-12

jolly, and Aunt Jemima was pleased
because I would be home in time to
see that wretched Mr. Baynes Just
as was told to start, however, a note
came from him to say that he would
be back day earlier, and as he was
driving from the station he would
come In for some tea on the way.
Il am particularly sorry you will
be out" aunt said, with a worried
look. could you not wire?''
mo, could not" I replied, deter
minedly. "You know this is the only
convenient day, and mother would be
vexed If did not manage to go. Be-
sides, I do not want to see the old
nuisance, and you can tell him So"
Aunt Jemima sighed, and that was
so unlike her that I was a little COM
FUNCTIONS Immediately. l went over
and sat down beside her.
II am very sorry, bat cannot help
disappointing you. You are SO mat
ter-of-fact and prosaic, aunt, you do
not understand; but really, to me, it
would be an awful thing to think of
marrying a man for whom l did not
care!"
II know it is" she answered meek
ly, 'and l do not want you to do
that"
"And I never could care for him."
/ continued.
"You do not know"
ooh! Yes, l do. Never! never! new
er!"
Aunt Jemima only smiled at my We
hemence and said quietly. "You might
in time, child"
''No, never could! and, aunt, do
you want to marry"
Her look of horror was SO great that
tried to improve upon the ques-
ton. 81 mean, do you think 1t is adj
visable for any woman to change her
state of single blessedness?"
mot if she can help it, as a rule;
but have already told you some of
the reasons why think it would be
wise for you to look favorably on Mr..
Baynes."
"And have already replied to them.
No, aunt, l shall not marry for the
sake Of home; and l 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 l 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 l 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 a lit
tie frightened and triumphant.
$50 he did-but-he would like to
see you-deGr."
Her hesitation riled me still more.
Then he shall not havs the pleas
ure!" l said, throwing down my
gloves viciously! II won't come I'M"
ooh! you must" and aunt's look of
distress was so real that relented
little.
well, I'll get you out of the diff
Guilty this time. I'll let him know he
has not any chance!" I calculated, re-
fusing to hear some agitated Whisper
OF my poor aunt's, who was terribly
afraid our conversation would be
overheard. I did not mind If it were,
and l marched in boldly, resolved to
give this troublesome sutton his quiet
us at once.
Aunt Jemima, however, followed on
my heels.
I 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"
/ sank into chair and gazed at
them both. In 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, it was
such a relief to me-
Betty, DEAR" began my aunt, tim
idly, Il could not persuade him to
marry any one younger and prettier,
so just had to give in"
Il am very, very glad!' l said, ris-
ing and kissing me, and 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
younger and prettier edition of her
self, but it was no good ima;tining
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.