Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-31
Evening Star S
Daily Story
AT AUNT MARIA'S
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

pdpeI pShusto1c'
The limited had just roared in on
track No. 7 as a local pulled up on
No 8, beside it.
Instantly the platform was crowded
with hurrying figures from both
trains and Alan Dilworth had his
hands full 1t would perhaps be bet
ter to say "eyes FULL" for his hands
we're buried deep in his coat pockets
habit when in perplexity.
How in the world was he to know
ehe daughter of Aunt Maria's friend
from the West? Aunt Maria's de-
scription of her expected guest was
necessarily vague, because she Gid
not know herself what Polly Norman
looked like.
She had asked her nephew TO meet
the young woman, as she had head
ache and could not go. Let me see,
she had said, reminiscently, Il think
Polly must be the Oldest. You might
look for young woman of thirty or
so. and if she looks at all like Agg1e'
ner mother, she viii be a blond,
rather a red blond, and I would not
look for girl with too much style'
you know"
SO Alan was looking for blond,
very red blond of thirty or so, who
dressed indifferently. He was twenty
five, and paid particular attention to
his own clothing. Therefore, he did
not relish his present task, and
thanked his stars for closed taxi
cabs.
AS the crowd rushed past, it was
difficult to discriminate, but at last
ae saw her. There could be no mis-
= take, for the person who was darting
IAz ~ rrl
faces OF the bystanders was not only
decidedly reddish blond, but was
at least thirty, and wore a suit that
mad paled through years of use from
black to a dark earthly color. She
had a basket in one hand the cloth
cover of which, although tied down
all around, was having suspicious
convuisions, going up suddenly in lit
tie hills and then Quickly subsiding.
"The family cat" thought Alan with
horror.
He. braced himself for the encoun-
ter and stepped forward, politely lift
ing his hat.
II beg pardon, but are you Miss
Polly Norman"
The woman with the livestock
looked him over Indignantly. mo,
amt. smarty Try somebody that's
greener n me-"
Alan replaced his hat and retreated
hastily, furious at the laughter OF the
crowd. He did not notice girl who
happened to be near enough to hear
and see everything, nor the conflict
ing emotions that showed in her face,
surprise, perplexity and amusement.
Alan, feeling that he had made
nice mess of the whole business, did
not dare to brave his aunt's righteous
wrath, and called up by telephone to
tell of his failure to find her visitor
Its all right" came his cunts
voice reassuringly "She's here!
Found the way herself without much
trouble" Then in reply to an anxious
inquiry, she responded guardedly
mo, not so bad. No, not red exact
~. i can't tell you. You'll have to
see for yourself. : Not so very old.
I'm not quite sure"
Alan could not understand his
aunt's evasive answers. But 1t was
possible the girl was within hearing
distance. At any rate he decided 70
give his aunt's house wide berth
. during Miss Polly's visit.
He had an engagement for that
evening when he was asked 10 call
Some other time, Aunt Maria, when
I'm not so busy, thank you"
But come other time never seemed
20 come. lie steadily refused all In
vitations to meet the guest. Then he
was called away on business, which
kept him several days.
As his train pulled in he hurried
from the car and passed through the
1 very same IRON gate that he had
Ahaunted three weeks before. Just IN
side stood his Aunt Maria with girl
and such girl Alan hurried 70
mis- relative, anxious for an introduce
ton to her young companion. He had
never seen anybody 50 beautiful. nor
SO exquisit-sly dressed. he thought. a
sober young person in black, who
kept respectfully in the background,
and was .Sking charge of bag, was
evidently her maid.
Somebody pretty 6nel" thought
Alan. Il would have surprised him
exceedingly IL anyone had associated
the sobriquet of bounder, piker, or
snob with the very important one of
Alan Dilworth. He had always sup
posed himself to be a gentleman.
As lie approached with his very
incest smile, the young lady with his
aunt turned away
Come. Mary" she bec1oned to the
maid, "the trains ready" She hast ly
sali Good by to his aunt and was
~. 1t all happened SO quickly it took
aiB breath.
Aunt Maria laughed. 'It just
serves you right, Alan"
But 1 don't understand. Who is
she?'
Its your own fault that you dont t
know who she is. Polly Norman, Of
course
polly Norman!" he gasped. "Why,
thought-but what's her hurry?"
''She saw you first"
But she doesn't know what look
like"
"Yes she does She's the smartest,
best, prettiest, incest girl ! ever
knew in my life, and you've certainly
missed IT. She just paid you back
now for your neglect"
"But I didn't know" he protested.
You ought to have known enough
to be a gentleman" sharply, mo mat
ter what she was like. She was my
guest and I'm your only relative"
= Yes, do believe if I'm not careful
81 I'll develop into cad, ruefully. "Of
course, it's all my own fault"
There's still a way, Alan" His
aunt's eyes twinkled.
"How?"
"She's coming back tonight. She's
just gone to Edith Emersons to
spend the day.
THANK heaven! Do you suppose
she'll ever have anything to do with
me?''
"She might. In fact. 1 believe she
might relent if you would meet her
at the train this evening"
Good! Aunt Maria, when [ think
OF 1t, you tod me Miss Norman was
thirty and had red hair"
"Well. she isn't and she hasn't.
That was just guess work of mine;