The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-05-25
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merely Rugged the malgned infant closer
and laughed.
"If he has snub-nose and odd eyes and
a bad temper" she said, his mummy must
love him all the more! Little snub-nosed,
odd-eyed, cross, lovely boy!"
Besides, Aunt Caroline found it impos-
sible to quite dislike the baby. He would
COO, and grab at her hair. The curls were
so much more substantial than his mothers
fussy hair, and he regarded them as highly
superior plaything. He had not the least
objection to going to her. She reminded
him of an elderly lady, who had been
called nurse. Aunt Caroline had much
experience, with friends babies, and she
nursed Son and Heir very comfortably.
He was apt to go to sleep with one fist
stuck in his mouth and the other holding
her finger. She had conviction that Son
and Heir liked her, and she thought it
scarcely fair to blame him for his parents
offenses.
Christine's third point of weakness was
her housekeeping. She had not been well
trained in household duties, and her man
agement was open to criticism. Aunt
Caroline criticized with great effect. Chris
tine used to retire to her room after these
attacks. When she reappeared she had
evidently washed her face in cold waterl
But she was bright girl, and defended her
self by improving, so that Aunt Caroline's
shots became gradually harmless. The
truculent old lady was unable to avoid a
certain respect for her. There was another
sore point, however, and this was very
L.
brother, who had given all his family deal
of trouble, and had finally been packed
off to South America. John had paid more
than he could afford to get him out of a
scrape, and the young couple were strait
ened in consequence. Aunt Caroline made
many hits on this point. For, though
Christine could see excuses for her brother,
she blamed herself for letting the results of
his recklessness fall upon John.
These annoyances were in addition to
Aunt Caroline's disturbance of their ways
They had to give up little outings to humor
her, to alter their meal hours, to Change
their menu-in fact to change everything
that was not connected with Son and Heir
They were immovable when they considered
the welfare of that red-faced young rufian
to be concerned. They were model parents,
Aunt Caroline had to confess, and devoted
husband and wife. Their falling was only
as niece and nephew. She was. only con-
cerned with them in that relationship, she
argued, and their other merits did not count.
On the whole she was satisfied with the
result of her efforts to make them uncom-
Portable; so well satisfied that at times she
felt ashamed.
This state of things went on for month;
John was evidently getting FESTIVE, and be-
ginning to think that one could earn a
legacy too dear. 1t was only Christine who
kept him from rebellion. She found pleas
ure, as well as pain, in being a martyr to
Son and Heir; and she bore with Aunt
Caroline with wonderful patience. "She
would do anything for money" was Aunt
Caroline's way of looking at it. So she
went on a little further and further in testing
her. One night she went too far; and John
put down his paper and rose from his chair.
"You are my mothers sister," he told
Aunt Caroline sternly, "and l will not say
what is in my mind, except this. You
have insulted my wife, and you cannot
stay in my house any longer. I am sur
prised that, holding the opinion of US that
you do, you have stayed so long. / do
not know if you realize how you have be-
haved to us"
II realize very clearly how have be-
haved," Aunt Caroline stated calmly. II
have made myself Objectionable of set
purpose. l wished to find out how much
you would put up with for the sake of my
money. have found that you must have
wanted it very much, John. You will not
get it! Neither you, nor your wife, nor
your son."
az would not take it" John told her
"She would" Aunt Caroline pointed
at Christine and laughed.
Johns face Jared; but his wife put her
hand over his mouth.
Hush, dear!" she said. "Aunt Caro-
line must know that would not do any
thing that you did not wish . She must
know that if wanted her money it was for
my husband and my son. :"
Il shall leave tomorrow morning,
said Aunt Caroline.
Thank you," said John.
Aunt Caroline walked to the door; and
there she turned.
Christine has put up with much more
than you" she remarked. $50 infer that
she has no self-respect. I am glad that
you keep little, john"
Then she closed the door and went up
stairs. Her last shot, she felt, had scored.
Yet her triumph went when she was in