The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-04-15

WIN sympathetic sOHCltuuei Nh"'
the trouble' Couldn't you get sec
tion?"
Il have my reservations. but don't
know whether / shall 90 tonight"
Maybe I'm stupid, Millicent, but |
confess / don't know what you mean"
Really, there's no reason why you
should. BERTHE That's why | was so
anxious TO see youth time. so that
might explain to you-mlght put you
on your guard"
"Yes?' the colonel submitted; he
never hurried q woman.
I'm going to visit dear Amy-you
remember she vas married two years
ago and lives in Pasadena: she has
dear little baby aud the loveiiest
homel It's charming. And she was
so delighted with your wedding gift.
Il was so original Amy never did
care for costly things: these simple.
unique gifts always pleased her. or
course. my main object is to see the
desr child. but ! shall not go to-night
unless Aunt Rebecca Winter Is on the
train. II for any reason she waits
over until tomorrow shall wait
also"
All" sighed the colonel very softly.
not stirring n muscle of his politely
attentive face: "and does Aunt Re
becca expect 20 go on the train?'
They told me at the Pullman Office
that she had the drawing.room. the
s,atoroom and two sections. OF course.
she has her maid with her and
Archi-"
Does he go. too?" the colonel
asked. his eyes narrowing a little.
Yes. she's taking him 20 Cali.
fornia; he doesn't seem well enough.
she thinks. 10 go to school. so he is
To have a tutor out there. I'm lit
tie afraid Aunt Rebceca mollyeoddles
the boy"
Aunt Robccca never struck me n
mollycoddler always considered
her a tolerably cynical old Spartan.
But do you mean there Is any doubt
OF their going? Awfully good OF you
to wait TO see II they don't go. bat I'm
sure Aunt Rebecca wouldn't want you
to sacrifice your section"
Mrs. Melville lifted a shapely hand
IN a Dolsartian gesture OF arrest; hci
smiling words were the last the col.
oncl had expected. Hush. dear Ber-
tie: Aunt Rebccca doesn't know ! am
going don't want her TO know I'M
al we are on the train"
"Oh. see. a surpriEe?" But he did
not see; and. with a quiet intentness.
he watched the color raddle Mrs. Mel.
ville's smooth checks.
Hardly" returned the lady. The
truth Is, BERTHE Melville and are
worried about Aunt Robecca- She. we
fear. has fallen under the influence OF
most plausible adventures: l sup
pose you have heard Of her com
panion. Miss SMITH"
Cant say ha v-~fly." said the
colonel placidly. - eyes mar
rowed again. Wv. ~ the LADY,"
Il thought am sure Melville must
have written you. But Oh. yes. he
wrote yesterday TO Boston. Well. Ber.
tie. Miss Smith is a southerner: aha
says she is n South Caroliniau. bur
Aunt Rebecca picked her mp In Wash
ington. where she was with a kink OF
cousin OF ours who was half crazy.
Miss Smith took care OF her and she
died"-she fixed darkling eye o.
the solder-"she died and she left
Miss Smith money"
"Much?"
"a few thousands. That Is how
Aunt Rebeoca met her. and she pulled
the wool over auntie's eyes, and they
came back together. She's awfully
clever"
Young? Pietty?"
"Oh. dear, no. And she's nearer 10
than 30. Just the designing age for
woman when she's still wanting TO
marry some one but beginning 10 be
afraid that she cant. Then such
creatures always try to get money. II
they can't marry It. and there's no
man to set their caps for. they try to
wheedle Il out OF some poor fool
womanl" Millicent was in earnest.
there was no doubt OF that: the sure
sign was her unconscious return to
the direct expressions OF her early
life IN the middle west.
And you think Miss Smith Ia try.
ing to influence Aunt Rebecca?"
VI COufSe sue Is, ana aunt lie
becca is so. Rupert. And often while
people OF her age show no other sign
OF. weakening intellect they are not
, well 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 1t
would be better M to trust her too
entirely. she posi- yely resented It, or
course used tact, too. was so hurt,
so surprised" Mrs. Mlllicent was
plainly aagrieved.
The colonel, who had his own
opinion Of the tact OF his brothers
wife. was not so surprised; but he
made an inarticulate sound pllch
might pass for sympathy.
ITO BE COMTINtfUUk