The Washington times., 1920-05-24
CHATTER w.


XVIHILE the conversation be-
w tween her aunt and uncle
was going on. Barbara
Paige sat in her room and began
a letter to Robert.
She had no intention of mail
ing her epistle until she had receiv-
ed a letter from him-but it was a
relief to her feelings to put upon
paper some of the thoughts that
filled her mind.
So she told him what a beauti-
full drive she had had this after
noon-how the while world looked
different to her because she was
thinking of him and of his love.
81 never knew what change
love could make she wrote. Il
feel as If had just begun to live.
Oh, Bob am so happy"
Then she thrust the sheet of
paper into the drawer of her desk
to finish later. She was sure that
after reading Roberts first letter
to her, she would have much to say
to him.
Extinguishing her light, she went
to the window and looked out into
the night.
The moon was high in the heav-
ems. The smell of the honeysuckle
covering the pillars of the veranda
below her was borne to her nos
trils.
Dropping on her knees by the
window, she drew in long breaths
of the fragrant night air.
AS it was Sunday evening. the
streets were comparatively quiet.
Occasionally an automobile passed,
making the stiffness that followed
all the more intense The murmur
of the river was like sothing
song.
Only twenty-four hours ago
she and Robert had looked at this
same moon, had smelled this same
honeysuckle, had listened to the
song of the river
Gradually her body relaxed. her
head sank upon her folded arms,
and she fell asleep.
A light touch on her shoulder
aroused her. She raised her head
and looked drowsily about her.
Her Aunt Appears.
"Why why" she murmured,
gazing at her aunt, "I must have
been asleep. was dreaming of
Mr.. Brandon and Robert
Then she stopped, aware that
Miss Cynthia was regarding her
disapprovingly.
Barbara, you should not go to
sleep on the floor like this. II
YOU are so tired from your late
hours last night, you should go
to bed"
"Of course, should" Barbara
agreed with a smile, getting up
and rubbing her eyes. But my
little nap has quite rested me.
do not feel sleepy now"
That's good" Miss Cynthia re-
marked. Because ] want to have
a talk with you. First. shut that
window. i feel the air too much"
"Mayn't 1 get you "A shawl?'
Barbara suggested. as her aunt sank
on chair by the window. ut
smells so good-the night, mean"
"No-enough air comes in through
the side window" Miss Paige in
sisted. "Close this one"
AS the girl obeyed she caught
faint Whit of smoke from her
uncle's cigar. Evidently he was
still smoking on the veranda.-
alone.
AS II guessing her thought, Miss
Cynthia spoke.
nave just ndu n lOhB VAIN Will
your uncle. 1t Is of this that l
wish to speak to you. Sit down"
Humbly Barbara ,obeyed. TAX
ing an upright chair by her desk.
But Miss Cyithia demurred.
Come here, child, and sit on
this low stool by me-as you used
to do when you were little"
The speakers tone had changed
and was softer than usual. Barbara
noticed with satisfaction.
Things were going ito be pleas
ant, after all, in spite OF the sink
ing of heart that her aunt's f,rst
words had produced. Aunt Cynthia
was not going to be cold or to
find fault-but was going to be
very nice.
Barbara told herself that she
might have known that matters
were to be pleasant. for Aunt Gym
thia had always done what she con-
sidered best for her niece-had
looked after her faithfully all these
yeara OF course abe was not ten