The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-07-17

old and aunt OF Eileen CleveS, not yet
ouite half those years, accepted the re-
rnonsibility of acting as chaperon to
ME Young lady for few weeks stay
in the Berkshire hills she determined
TO do her duty at all costs.
They had scarcely reached the hotel
selected when that duty confronted
her. Paul Clifford, the artist, crossed
their path. The young people had
MANY mutual friends in. town, but
had never been introduced.
In any hotel in the Berkshires, the
catskills or on the seashore a hand
some young girl and bachelor artist
Of note, with romance still leashed in
his soul, are bound to meet sooner or
later if given half show.
Such meetings come about by acct
dent, or Providence takes a hand, and
the first thing they know they have
introduced themselves to each other
and are talking about art and motor
trips through Europe.
Aunt Mary understood this; also that
she was there to prevent it. She
would insist on formality to the bitter
end She did insist. Even when she
and Miss Eileen in walking out one
day we're suddenly confronted by a
snake as much as nine inches long
and screamed and the artist came run
ming I'D and saved their lives from
the monster she stood on Formally
and insisted that her charge do the
same. The artist hero was dismissed
with a formal bow and went his way
with an odd sense Of their ingratitude
gnawing at his heart.
Three or four days later, however,
a family with whom he was well &C
ouainted in the city arrived, and a
formal Introduction took place. This
made things all right in one way and
all wrong in another.
He was now privileged to lift his
hat and say good morning, but the old
maid looked upon him as a possible
lover and added many precautions.
She was polite, but she was also v1gi-
liant. The artist probably hoped, as
in time she would thaw out, and he
held himself ready day and night for
more heroic deeds.
Around the second story of the hotel
ran veranda. and the three parties in
the case haG rooms opening on to this
promenade. One afternoon as the aunt
was parading up and down the veran-
da she noticed that the artist was in his
room writing a letter. She at once
suspected that it was note to be
passed to Miss Eileen at the first ia
yorable opportunity.
The chaperon was disturbed, but de-
termned. She promenaded clear
around the house, and upon her return
she beheld a sheet of note paper lying
on the floor. She also saw that the
artist had stepped out of his room. A
draft had caught up the letter he was
writing and drawn it through the open
window.
Aunt Mary was a woman of the
sternest principles. She reasoned it
out in moment that she had no mo-
raj right to that note. 1t was for her
to ignore it's existence and continue
her promenade, but al at once her
stern principles took a tumble.
She stopped, seized the sheet and
fed to her room, which was next to
that Of her niece Even then it was
not too late to save her lifelong prin-
cipleS untarnished. She could have
torn the sheet into fragments before
reading the lines written thereon. She
could, but she didn't. She read even to
the last word, and moment later she
was in the room Of her niece, saying:
Il suspected it from the first! He is
cold blooded wretch!'
Who is, auntie?" was the natural
query.
Mr. Clifford! I have found him out
Just In time. Oh, the perfdy Of iti
IN, the insults heaped upon us! Read
That. No, let me read it."
And, holding the half finished letter
IN her left hand and using the right
1orefnger to punctuate the air while
she held her figure in tragic pose and
spoke from the depths of her indigna-
ton, she read:
ri Dear JIM have seen both of them.
me Ola one is no good and badly out of
repair. Wouldn't take her as a gift.
T Tuess she was one of the first ones made.
LHe other Is clipper, with heaps of go
-. ~ nsr' Decided bargain, and I shall close
se zeal at once. Climbs the steepest hills
s,oGhu here like cat, and you ought to
'ee her scoot on the level! The old one
mat was as far as the artist had
written when he left the room, and
me breeze came in and toyed with the
sneet and sent it to the feet of the
sollan who had duty to do. She
uuiSned reading and maintained her
pose Tor half a minute and then sol
emily said:
found it on the veranda. The
Slnd brought it to me. 1t came from
Ing it."
10 you mean that Mr. Clifford
"au'e this?' asked the young lady.
10. Was ever villainy more COM
p.eleiy unmasked! He has seen both
" U.s. The old one is no good and bad
Vut Oh repair. I am the old one.
gu ~ badly out of repair"
Blu, auntie"-
h., Dont interrupt me. Wouldn't take
w. as a gift! Guess she was one Of
sh. nrst ones made. This about me-
sno out your own aunt! Oh, the crafty,
%eaking villainr
"Ru%
,,, out why should Mr.. Clifford write
oasu tnlngs about you? He is surely a