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


her spectacles, Il wish MIR. Baynes haa
been at home this summer, SO that you
could have been introduced
"Why do you wish that, auntE |
asked, indifferently. You expressed
the same desire last year. Are you
specially interested in Mr.. Baynes! 1
added, naughtily; because, II you are
not, | don't see any reason for cultl-
waiting his acquaintance"
"My dear" Aunt Jemima replied
with a decided blush, showing through
the tan Of her handsome but uncors-
promising countenance, as If she were
ashamed Of what she was going TO
say-as well she might be MI,
Baynes is a very worthy man"
81 hate worthy men!" interpolated
In the tone which always made Aunt
Jemima declare | was a spoiled child
This time, however, she passed my
comment by with scarcely a frown,
and went on calmly, though the blush
increased slightly, 'and he is also eX-
ceedingly well off-and a widower.'
| gave a little gasp, asking wrath
fully what that had to do with me.
"Oh! WELL really, Betty" she stam-
mered, you are now of marriage
able age, and-and l 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?' asked,
with an attempt at sarcasm which was
quite unappreciated.
Eyes, several" my aunt replied,
calmly. "As l said before, he wants
a wife; and l suppose you have no
desire to be an old maid"
l tossed my head with some indigna-
tioa. 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" l 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 a livelihood am supposed to
be willing to marry man old enough
to be my father-for whom | do not
fare a straw-so as to have 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
/ 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 wish nothing Of the Sort
If you do not get to care for him you
need not marry him. Still, l think
you would be very fond of him, and
am sure he would like you very
much"
why do you think that?"
"Oh he would be sure to-" she
replied, in what l considered an ex-
ceedingly lame manner.
well, that is the first time | ever
heard you express such high opin
Ion of my charms!" l said, somewhat
scathihgly. Are they SO fatal that he
would have to succumb at once?'
Aunt's disclaimer to this query was
more emphatic than flattering, yet she
gave me to understand. distinctly,
that though my charms were by no
means great, she still believed they
were sufficient to fascinate Mr.
Baynes.
This only puzzled me more than
ever, and | could not understand what
possessed my staid aunt to turn her
into matchmaker. She had an un-
compromising objection to matrimony
n the case Of any one, and particular
" any one belonging to her own fam
:ly
None of us ever much looked for
ward to visit to her quiet little
house in the quiet little town in Nor
folk; but one of us was packed off
by mother twice year, at mid-sum-
mer and about Christmas. | general
ly went in the summer, as | could
cycle, while my two elder sisters hated
the idea Of rushing about on wheels.
Besides, Jim-the eldest, who was
called after Aunt Jemima, poor dear
had incurred her displeasure by mar
rying the previous year, so that meant
that | must go every summer and
Clare every winter. 1t was rather a
dismal prospect, but mother would
not let us off She said aunt had al
ways spent herself on her family when
she was young, and we must look af-
ter her and cheer her now she was
lonely. did not believe she was
lonely, and know | was, when had
to vegetate for a month at a time
down in Norfolk. hut we all had IN