The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1920-05-07
AUNT PIPER
BY MILDRED WHITE.

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Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Unionl
Il shall send Rose-Marie to her Aunt
Piper's," Mrs. Wilmot said, 1.-THE dis
cipline will be good for her."
The man who stood looking across
the lawn came to take a chair ut Mrs
Wilmot's side.
Remember, Clara" he whimsically
replied, that am no Blue Beard, ex'
acting obedience, neither do l wish to
influence in the slightest degree Rose
Marie's decision. If the child can see
a possibility of comfort or pleasure in
a union with myself, then only, shall ]
be happy in offering her my protec
ton. 1t would be folly to expect love
from Rose-Marie. Always she has re
garded me merely as her parents
friend; good mediator to be cajo!ed
into gaining her own ends. / doubt
if ! should have presumed to think OF
marrying Rose-Marie, had it not been
for remark Of yours dropped when
Fred and l were discussing the grow.
ing charm Of your daughter and your
own inability to give to her the accom-
plishments and luXuries her beauty
exacts as its due. 1t occurred to me
that / might provide for her these de
sirable things-and revel in her en-
joyment of them, if it were but pos.
sible to make the gift. Marriage
seemed my only solution. Younger
women have married older men, Clara
and l would protect RoseMarie ten.
derby. You see women have been o
lest part Of my eXistence-no mother
from infancy, no sisters, just one up
hill struggle to the profession.
who is this Aunt Piper? .AnG
why, exactly, is our little Rose to be
sent to herr"
"She is sister Of mine," Mrs. Will
mot replied, ''for whom the rest of US
had ever an awed respect. Mary could
reason US out of or make us give uI
our most recklessly planned pleasures
where parental force failed. She was
one of US, and yet not one Of US, upor
her own assured pedestal. Fred also
has a sister Mary, so for Rose-M arie's
distinction we call my sister Aunt
Piper. Piper was my maiden name
Don't take to yourself the blame OF
our girls Punishment, Paul. The rea.
motive for sending her to her aunt's is
to break off a growing attachment
with Bobby Atwood. Marriage with
Bobby at present would mean fol
Rose-Marie the same sacrifices, the
same struggle that Fred and I remem
Der well. My daughter must have some
thing better. Bobby is but a passing
fancy which absence will obliterate."
Paul Hills arose. His fine face was
serious, his usual pleasing tone de
cided.
Remember Clara" he admonished
mo coercion where I am concerned
with little Rose-Marie."
The telephone called and the voice
Of his absent young friend dolefully
greeted him over the wire.
paul." said Rose-Marie, "won't yot
come and break the routine Of disci
pline? Aunt Piper just won't let Bobby
come and-1 need you"
sam l." asked Paul severely, ''to b4
again used as buffer between you ane
your parents"
"You are" Rose-Marie laughingiy
replied. and hung up the receiver. u
was charming village home that Paul
Hills found and the honeysuckles
about the old porch seemed fragrant
OF some sweet past boyish memory
Rose-Marie was sweet, too, In he,
ruf1ed pink frock and the twinkle OF
her eyes contradicted In Q way Pau
wen knew, the occurrences Of the girl,
face.
AUNT Plpes's discipline has not a
least crushed you," be remarked
Rose-Mafte leaAAd eagerly forward.
"Panl." she said i've sent for yus
% that Aunt Piper can look you over
And who do You think suggested thu
ideaf-Bobby Atwood, himself" Pau
laughed Qutetly.
''Robby mnst be pretty sure q ha
Comparisoe.s he said. "or does h
mean, RoseMarie, that am supposed
TO intercede this TINA. for you ane
Bobby" Rnse-Marie biushed He
fingers touched careaslng29 the mani
thick. graying hair.
ut was partly for that, that / seu
for you, Paul DEAR" ahe said, "ano
partly-1toe gnnrsel2"
She slipped away. Pau thought ~
she left him that the seeot Of the hon