The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-06-24
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success lUeTt. OHIlSllnt ulQ not even Ut
leve that Aunt Caroline meant them, and
merely Rugged the maligned infant closer
and laughed.
'If he has snub-nose and odd eyes and
bad temper, she said, his mummy mist
love him all the morel Little snub-noSci,
odd-eycd, 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 a conviction that Son
and Heir liked her. and she thought it
scarcely fair to blame him for his parents
offenses.
Christines 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
shots became gradually harmless The
truculent old lady was unable to avoid
certain respect for her There was another
sore point, however, and this was a very
sore one Christine had a very wild
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
scrape, and the young couple we're strait
cned 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 Carolne'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 ruffian
to be concerned. They were model parents,
Aunt Caroline had to confess, and a devoted
husband and wife Their failing 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 a month;
John was evidently getting restive, 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, we'll as pain, in being a martyr to
Son ard 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 little further and further in testing
her. One night she went too far; and John
out down his paper and rose from his chair
"You are my mothers sister he told
Aunt Caroline sternly and | will not say
what is in my mind, except this. You
nave insulted my wife, and you cannot
,tay in my house any longer. am sur
,rised that, holding the opinion of us that
'ou do, you have stayed so long | do
lot know if you realize>how you have be-
laved to us"
."I realize very clearly how | have be-
laved, Aunt Caroline stated calmly. Il
AVE made myself Objectionable OF set
purpose. / wished to find out how much
'ou would put up with for the sake of my
money. | have found that you must have
yanted it very much John. You will not
et it! Neither you, nor your wife, nor
our son.
81 would not take it, John told her
".SEc would" Aunt Caroline pointed
{ Christine and laughed.
Tohn's face fared; but his wife put her
and over his mouth.
"Hush, dearl" she said "Aunt Caro-
ne must know that | would not do any
hing that you did not wish Shemust
now that if | wanted her money it was for
nv husband and my SON.
Il shall leave tomorrow morning"
aid Aunt Caroline
Thank YOU, said John.
Aunt Caroline walked to the door; and
lere she turned.
Christine has put up with much more v
nan YOU, she remarked. so infer that 5
he has no self-respect. l am glad that
ou keep lille, joint Y
Then she closed the door and went up h
airs. Her last shot, she felt, had scored. '
et her triumph went when she was in 2