Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-04

living alone, and she did not take up
much room in her nieceS' large houses.
She was perhaps most content IN Ger
aldine's house, and stayed there longest
Now, when circumstances seemed to be
driving her away, she felt disturbed 1t
was not Geraldine's fault. certainly. but
she could not and would not sit at table
with En- Maynard's daughter.
Resolve grew upon her as she packed
her travelling bag. Geraldine came up to
her. still protesting against her going.
''Kitty's really very sweet You've never
seen her. you know, Aunt Betsy. If
you'd only try to like her ~ she urged.
My dear. she's En- Maynard's daugh-
ter. That's enough for me-
Geraldine folded garment neatly and
tucked it away. What did En- Maynard
Old Mrs Wilcox flushed. ''Well-1
don't care to say. I shan't try TO preju-
dice you against John Alonzo's cousins
wife. Have you telephoned to Elisor,
my dear?''
Yes. and called a taxi. But. oh,
Auntie. I feel as if 1 were driving you
away"
You amt. I'm going of my own ac-
cord. You know why. Principle is
principle, I say And there's good deal
of Injun about me-
Geraldine accompanied Mrs. Wilcox to
the station and saw her aboard the train.
She stood tearfully waving her hand as
the train moved off Mrs Wilcox looked
out of the window and saw her and felt
secretly elated- She settled herself in
her chair and gazed out at the scudding
landscape with amused eyes. 1t was a
warm day and presently she was sound
asleep.
By ana by she opened her eyes.
yawned and glanced about her and
realized where she was The train was
drawing to a station. The station looked
quite familiar. She saw a porter ap-
preaching her. Her sleep had left her a
little confused and she took him to be
the same porter who had helped her
aboard the train and to whom she had
given an extra tip to see her off at her
destination She pointed to her travelling
bag and the porter took it and her and
deposited them on the platform together
Mrs Wilcox was some moments in ascer-
tanning that neither EliEor nor Walter
had come to meet her. She began to feel
rather disconnected and helpless How
ever, she said to herself that there was
some mistake and she would get a taxi
and drive to Elinor's without further
delay. But when she started toward the
street entrance she found that Their,
was no street entrance there, only 6
place where bonbons were being sold a
a great rate. 1uiet-Iooaing young
ish man had just presented his pretti
wife with a box of marshrnallows wheY
Mrs. Wilcox addressed them:
Il beg your pardon, but can you tel
me where l can get a taxi?" she asked
The man glanced toward a distant
sign and tnen seemed 10 reconsider thai
she might not be able to read it. 90
will show you to the place." he said
My wife and 1 are just going that wa.
ourselves"
Mrs. Wilcox was staring in every di
rection- 1t was coming to her faster ant
faster that she was never in this place
before. Her valiant old heart sunk
What station is this?'' she demanded.
This is the Britton station replied
the woman.
"Britton!~ exclaius6 Mrs Wilcox Per
spiration broke out all over her. &c
wanted to get of at Ridgeway-
Ridgeway is the next stop for fas
trains thirty miles back" explained thu
woman. you were carried past, you see
That not infrequently happens"
What shall do?' asked Mrs. Wilcox
Pm being expected in Brttton at my
niece's. Mira Walter Pruyns. You MAJ
have heard Of her. she added, proudly.
Oh. yes" said the little lady, and hel
eyes held laughter as she glanced at hei
husband. Il have heard Of Mrs. Walter
Pruynt She was Elinor Wilcox. Yot