The Nevada County picayune., 1909-03-04
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 sz. FZEX coerAIoHE 1907 s0esS-L4E32Ak CO.,
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That's bad murmured the colonel with sympathetic solicitude; what's the trouble? Couldn't you get sec tion?''
 II have my reservations, but don't know whether shall go to-night.g
 Maybe I'm stupid, Millicent, but confess l don't know what you mean"
 Really, there's no reason whyIyou should, Bertie. That's why was so anxious to see you--in time, so that might explain to you-might put you on your guard" 34Jsj
 "Yes?" the colonel submittedt he never hurried woman.
 Pm going to visit dear Amy-you remember she was married two Years ago and lives in Pasadena; she has a dear little baby and the loyeliest home! It's charming. And she was so delighted with your wedding gift, it was so original. Amy never did care for costly things; these, simple. unique gifts always pleased her. Of course, my main object is to see the dear child, but I shall not go tonight unless Aunt Rebecca Winter is on. the train. If for any reason she waits over until tomorrow I shall v wait also." issas
 "Ah," sighed the colonel very softly. not stirring muscle of his politely attentive face; and does Aunt Re becca expect to go on the train?",
 "They told me at the Pullman offce that she had the drawing-room,. the stateroom and two sections. Of course. she has her maid with herr and Archi-" ,aY
 Does he go, too?' the colonel asked, his eyes narrowing little.
 Yes, she's taking him to Cali fornia: he doesn't seem we'll enough, she thinks. to go to school. so. he is to have tutor out there. I'm a. It, tie afraid Aunt Rebecca mollycbddles the boy sb
 Aunt Rebecca never struck ne as a mollycoddler. I always coppadered her a tolerably cynical old 5paYfan. But do you mean there is any d6ubk, of their going? Awfully good. qfyyou to wait to see if they don't 90. Sbut I'm sure Aunt Rebecca wouldn't want you to sacrifice your section-" fT9us
 Mrs. Melville lifted . shapslys hand in a Delsartian gesture of arrest; her smiling words were the last SkS col onel had expected. Hush. de1feBor- tie; Aunt Rebecca doesn't knQtk I am going. I don't want her to knoy, un- til we are on the train
 "Oh. I see. a surprise!" But M did not see; and. with quiet intentNess. he watched the color raddle Mrs, Mel. ville's smooth cheeks.
 Hardly" returned the la0yT The truth is. Bertie Melville and if" are worried about Aunt Rebecca. She. we fear, has fallen under the infin9hee of a most plausible adventuresss &f3up- pose you have heard of hen ,seom- panion. Miss Smith,"
 Cant say have exactly" sAfd the colonel placidly. but his eyalAUlnar- rowed again. Who Is the ,ladE7:?
 q thought am sure Melville must have written you. But Oh. yes, he wrote yesterday to Boston. Weir Der tie, Miss Smith is a southernsri. she says she is South Carolinian. but Aunt Rebecca picked her ly jn Wash ington, where she was with Akkink of cousin of ours who was hal craxy. Miss Smith took care of her she died"-she fixed a darkling e on the soldier--"she died and left Miss Smith money"
 "Much?" sA
 "A few thousands. That Is how Aunt Rebecca met her, and she pulled the wool over auntie's eyes, and they came back together. She's Awfully clever" .ss, ssse
 Young Pretty?" f.ssw
 "Oh. dear, no. And she's nSarer 70 than 30 Just the designing age for woman when she's still wanting to marry some one but beginnip&ato be afraid that she can't ThaAlN such creatures always try to get nioney. If they can't marry 1t, and there's no man to set their caps for. they try to wheedle 1t out of some poor fool woman,' Milicent was in earnest. there was no doubt of that; the sure sign was her unconscious return 10 the direct expressions Of her carry life in the middle west.
 And you think Miss Smith is try ing to influence Aunt Rebecca"
 "Of course she is; and Aunt Re becca is 80, Rupert. And often wniis people of her age show no other sigu of weakening intellect, they are not well regulated in their a9sctions, they take fancies to people ana sec doting and clinging. She is. getting to depend on Miss Smith. Really. that woman has more influence witn nel than all the rest of us together. one won't hear a word against her wny. I how uLlIe M