The Irish standard., 1908-12-19

sign was her unconscious return to
the direct expressions of her early
life in the middle west.
"And you think Miss Smith 10 try.
ing to influence Aunt Rebecca?" |
"Of course she ID: and Aunt Re-
becca is 80, Rupert. And often while
people Of her age show no other sign
OF weakening intellect. they are not
we'll regulated in their affections;
they take fancies to people and get
doting and clinging. She is getting to
depend on Miss Smith. Really, that
woman has more influence with her
than all the rest Of us together. She
won't hear a word against her. Why!
when tried to suggest how little we
knew about Miss Smith and that it
would be better not to trust her too
entirely, she positively resented it. OF
course used tact, too. I was so hurt,
80 surprised" Mrs. Millicent was
plainly aggrieved.
The colonel, who had his own
opinion Of the tact Of his brothers
wife. was not SO surprised; but he
made an inarticulate sound which
might pass for sympathy.
We've been worried a good deal"
pursued Mrs. Melville, "about the way
Aunt Rebecca has acted. She wouldn't
stay in Fairport. where we could hsve
some influence over her. She was al
ways going south or going to the sea-
shore or going somewhere. Sometimes
suspect Miss Smith made her. to
keep her away from us, you know"
"Well, as long as I have known
Aunt Rebecca-anyhow, ever since
Uncle Archibald died-she has been
restless and flying about"
mot as she is now. And then she
only had her maid"
"Oh, yes. Randall; she's faithful az
they make 'em. What does she say
about Mics SMITH"
"Bertie. she's won over Randall.
Randall swears by her. Oh, she's's
deep!"
Seems to be. But-excuse me
what's your game, Millicent? How do
you mean to protect our aged kins.
woman and, incidentally, Of course.
the Winter fortune?"
Il shall watch, Berthe; I shall be on
my guard every waking hour. That
deluded old woman is in more danger.
perhaps, than you dream"
CAS- how?"
"Miss smith"-her voice sank por.
tentously-"was trained nurse"
:, "What harm does that do-unless
you think she would know too much
about poisons?" The colonel laughed.
''It's no laughing matter, Bertie. Re-
becca is 80 rich and this other WON.
an is so poor. and, in my estimation.
30 ambitious. I make no insinuations,
] only say she needs watching"
'You may be right about that" said
the colonel thoughtfully. There IL
Haley and the boy for your bags!"
The boy picked up the big dress.
suit case. the smaller dress.suit case
and the hat case, he grabbed the
bundle Of cloaks. the case Of umbrel
las, and the lizard-skin bag. Dubious.
ly he eyed the colonel's luggage. as he
tried to disengage finger.
'tNiver moind, young feller," called
Haley, peremptorily whisking away
the nearest piece, "I'll help you bit
with yours, instead: you've Q load.
sure!"
Mrs. Melville explained in an under.
tone: 'I take all the hand-luggage !
possibly can; the overweight charges
are wicked!"
"Haley, they won't let you inside
without ticket" objected the colonel
But Haley, unheeding, strobe on ahead
Of the staggering youth.
II have an English bathtub, locked
Of course, and packed with things
but he has put that in the car" said
Mrs. Melville.
Certainly" said the colonel alb
sently; he was thinking: Mrs. Win
ter, the boy. Miss Smith-how ridicu
lously complete! Decidedly some
thing will bear watching.
HAAnTEo ~