University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-06-27

was to smile his slow British smile on
her once more, She recalled these
facts without the semblance of a
thrill.
Where, she wondered, was the
thrill? The frivolous girl who had
met Lord Harrowby abroad. and daz-
zled by dreams of social triumphs to
come had allowed her aunt to urge
her into this betrothal, was not pres
ent at the moment Had she been,
she would have declared this Cynthia
Meyrick a silly. and laughed her into
gaiety again.
Into the room toddled the aunt who
had stood so faithfully on the coach
ing line abroad With heavy wit, she
spoke of the coming of Lord Harrow
by. Miss Cynthia did not smile She
turned grave eyes on her aunt
I'm wondering" she confessed.
Was it the thing to do. after all?
Shall / be so very happy.
Nonsense. Ninety-nine out of a
hundred engaged girls have doubts.
It's natural" Aunt Mary sat down on
the bed, which groaned in agony. "Of
course you'll be happy. You'll take
precedence over Marion Bishop
didn't We look that up? And after the
airs she's put on when she's come
back to Detroit-well, you ought to
be the happiest of girls"
al know-but-" Miss Meyrick con-
tinued to gaze solemnly at her aunt
She was accustomed to the apparition.
To any one who knew Aunt Mary only
in her public appearances, view of
her now would have been startling.
Not to go too deeply into the matter,
she had not yet been poured into the
steel girders that determined her pub
lie form. Her washed-out eyes were
puffy, and her gray hair was not so
luxurious as it would be when she
appeared in the hotel dining-room for
lunch. There she sat. a fat little
lump of a woman who had all her life
chased will-o'-the-wisps.
But what?" she demanded firmly.
at seems as if all my fun were
over. Didn't you feel that way when
you became engaged?
Hardly. But them hadn't en-
joyed everything money will buy, as
you have. I've always said you had
too much. There, dear-cheer up.
You don't seem to realize" Why,
can remember when you were born
in the fiat down on Second Street
and your father wearing his old over
coat another year to pay the doctor s
bill. And now that little fluffy baby
is to marry into the peerage! Bless
you, how proud your mother would be
had she lived"
Are you sure, Aunt Mary?'
Positive" Aunt Mary's eyes filled.
and with a show of real, if clumsy af-
fection, she leaned over and kissed
her niece Come, dear, get up. I've
ordered breakfast in the rooms"
Miss Cynthia sat up. And as il
banished by that act, the serious little
mouse of a girl scampered into ObliS-
ion. and in her place appeared a gay
young rogue who sees the future ly-
ing bright ahead.
After ALL" she smiled, I'm not
married-yet" And humming bright
ly from a current musical comedy
Not just yet-just yet-just yet
she stretched forth one slim white
arm to throw aside the coverlet. At
which point it is best discreetly to
withdraw.
Mr.. Minot, after a lonesome if
abundant breakfast, was at this mo-
ment strolling across the hotel court
yard toward yesterday mornings New
York papers. AS he walked, the pert
promises of Mr.. Trimmer filled his
mind. What was the proposition Mr..
Trimmer had in tow? How would
it affect the approaching wedding? ?
And what course of action should the