The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-03-21

You wish, If wishes were horses,
beggars might ride" Aunt Mag quot
I'd spitefuIly to her partial namesake,
Margaret Emmeline
| The Emmeline had been a standing
grievance ever since the girl was chris
tened. Aunt Mag. otherwise Miss
Bronson had an instinct of jealous SUI
premacy toward whatever was her
own Being a just person. she called
her only niece by the awkward full
name, notwithstanding in all other
mouths she was simply Emmy That
was the worst of it. Miss Bronson in
her own mind accused Emmy's meek
mother of having plotted it from the
first. Naturally she had not shed many
tears when the offender Slipped apollo
! getically out of life. leaving Emmy to
the untcnder mercies of her masterfuI
sister in law. Handsome. luckless.
Jack Bronson the father. had died
soon after Emmy was born-died on
the ocean and been buried at SEA at
least that WAS what bis sister had
given out The widow had said moth
ing. Neither had she worn black to
the anger of Miss Bronson and the
great scandal of the village For once
the slim faced woman who~svas com
monty as wax in stronger hands. had
withstood her world. saying only with
a dreamy, wistful look. lack under
stands"
Emmy was her father over again
dark eyed. olive skinned, with red lips
delicately curved and cheeks like dam
ask roses. She had his gay temper
also, his high head. his habit of getting
her own way in spite of everything.
The village unanimously pronounced
her handful-even for Miss Bronson,
whose hand was not light Emmy was
fourteen when her mother died 1t
was standing marvel TO everybody
that she had gone quietly away to
boarding school at Miss Bronsons or
ders, albeit heretofore she had hated
and f1outed schools of every sort. It
was even greater surprise to have
her come back four years later. Just
the same Emmy for all her wonderful
accomplishments.
1t WAS plain she did not love Aunt
Mag. but the two kept truce with each
other. Those who wondered at it might
have understood had they heard poor
Lena Bronson's dying admonition
obey your Aunt Margaret. Remember
what we owe her. Until-unless the
debt is pad-it rests with you to make
her the only possible return" There
had been no need to be more explicit
Emmy understood. Through n passion
Of tears she had sohhed in answer. Il
will"
Obedience had been hard and wear.
ing often. but she had not 6inched I'M
til it came to the question Of marriage
Miss BrOnsons preceptS were all
against her example Il want YOU tG
marry young-and marry we'll she
had said to Emmy as soon as the girl
came home. For year she had said
nothing more save in general way,
but Emmy had come to understand
what her elder meant by marrying
well Clffe Gorton was the only one
among her half dozen bcaus Miss Bron
son approved She had to approve
him indeed, seeing that she had at
least half raised him. Judge Gorton,
his father. had been her man of busi.
ness ever since her own father died.
His wife. nabby and an invalid. had
been pretty well under Miss Bronson :
thumb-so bad her son. who was. after
sort, her image made vigorous and
vital. From his cradle Cliite had been
a prize pretty boy rs fair and blue
eyed as Emmy WAS peach tinted. Al
though he WAS three years older She
had thrashed him roundly in the era of
short frocks. Possibly it was some
reflex memory of the thraNhng which
made him as a lover appear to her ri.
diculously impossible.
IF my wishes were horses Id surely
ride away from CRANKY and every
thing" she said, signing family rs she
glanced at Miss Bronson
Miss Bronson frowned heavily. Il
dare say you'd take the road to Owen
ton" she said pointedly. Lets have
this thing out, Margaret Emmeline. |
see no use in beating about the bush.
You were well enough content here UNI
til Cliffe Gorton proposed to you and
that scatter Drained young Hyland
came to town. Even you must admit
that there is no comparison possible
between the two men. Cliffe has every
thing in his favor; Hyland nothing
In spite of that, since you seem to fan
cy him
"Oh, but | don't! You are wrong
all wrong" Emmy interrupted, with,
however, a furious blush.
Miss Bronson went on as though she
had not spoken. 81 should let you have
your way but for one thing. Who
ever marries you must be told the
truth Cliffe knows it already-besides
he understands. | have done and
borne much out of love for my fathers
name. Your father disgraced IT,
you must not say SO. Nobody was
ever quite sure" Emmy painted, her
cheeks very white. Miss Bronson
glanced at her dry eyed. then looked
away. Her own lips were ashen but
they laughed bitterly as she said: You