The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-05-11
Her Spinster Aunts
By M. DIBBELL

long enough at the business for you
word to carry such weight as Mac
gregor's," answered Adelaide; "but
will tell you why want to see hin
SO much. Perhaps you can make som.
suggestion"
She explained the trouble over thu
planting of the sweet peas, and tol6
of Aunt Julia's threat.
"How would booklet on the sub
ject do, until NIacgregor returns? 2
queried the interested young florist
Il know he wrote one especially on
sweet pea culture several years ago
and has received many letters from
persons who have tried his method
and been delighted with the result
AS it bears his name, perhaps II
might carry weight"
THAT is a first rate idea," as.
scented Adelaide, gratefully. II hope
1t may settle the whole question, for
the next best thing to Macgregor him.
self would be something over his
name"
The obliging young gardener at
once went for one Of the booklets,
and quickly returned with copy.
"And you might tell them that Mac
prize at the state fair for five
straight years." he remarked, as he
gave it to Adelaide.
Adelaide fastened homeward with
the light Of victory in her eyes.
Upon entering the big dining-room
where she had left Aunt Charlotte
she was surprised to see that Aunt
Julia was also seated in the bay win
dow working industriously at her
tatting. With all the impetuosity of
youth she waved aloft the small but
important booklet, and cried:
Here is an authority neither OF
you can deny, for you have known
Macgregor for centuries, and this is
what he says about sweet peas"
Her aunt gazed at her in astonish-
ment, but it did not take their ener-
getic niece long to explain the pur-
pose of her walk and the tnforma-
ton she had acquired
1AiIu Wudt Gail you "dul pttle1
than the way that has won the state
prize for five years?" she inquired in
conclusion.
Hastily throwing On her wraps she
seated herself between the two
aunties and started to read them
Macgregor's booklet. After several
pages Of general directions as to SOIL
situation, ETC., the rule for planting
was reached To this both aunts
listened with intense interest, while
Adelaide slowly read:
plant in trench IS inches deep
early in March, as soon as ground is
workable"
That was all as to planting, and
Adelaide looked up saying triumphant
ly: 80 neither of you was right,
you see; and l hope that next month
you will have a good long trench Of
gregor's directions" She jumped up
and gave each auntie good hard
hug. "Now will you be good. and
live together In peace and harmony"
she asked in high delight.
Both Aunt Charlotte aad Aunt
Julia fastened to assure her that
such was their intention, and that
they should certainly try Macgregor's
rule for sweet pea planting. Aunt
Charlotte added:
II think it would take more than
flower to part Julia and me, in spite
Of all her threats; but we are both
glad to have the matter settled peace.
fully I am sure, even II we are fond
of squabbling. You are dear,
thoughtful child, Adelaide."
The following evening on answer
ing ring at the door herself, Ade
laide beheld to her surprise Macgre.
gor standing before her, while behind
him she saw the face Of the obliging
young florist, who had presented her
with the booklet. Macgregor spoke
at once.
eve have come to see If any more
help is needed to settle the disagree
ment between your two aunts. Young
Loftin Macvane could not rest until
he knew that the advice he gave was
sufficient to smooth things over?"
Come in and see for yourselves"
laughed Adelaide. "Your booklet act.
ed like a charm, Macgregor. har
mony now reigns supreme"
The aunties were pleased TO see
their old friend Macgregor, ard also
to meet after so long an absence, the
youngest of the large Macvane family |
All the Macvane youngsters had
been educated abroad, and had seen
little Of their native land during the
educational period. Young Lofttn
Macvane had been in the United
States for over a year; but he had
been travelling all about the widest
parts of the west, as he took a great
interest in forestry. Anything in the
way Of plants appealed to him, and
when week before he had re
turned to the big Macvane homestead
he at once donned working togs and
became Macgregor's enthusiastic as
sistant.
This first call with Macgregor wa,