The Snowflake herald., 1920-04-09
AUNT PIPER
BY MILDRED WHITE.

clplne Will be good for her.
The man who stood looking across
the lawn came to take chair at Mrs.
Wilmot's side.
Remember, Clara" he whimsically
replied, that am no Blue Beard. ex-
acting obedience, neither do | wish to
influence in the slightest degree Rose
Marie's decision. If the child can see
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 RoseMarie. Always she has re-
garded me merely as her parents
friend a good mediator TO be cajoled
into gaming her own ends. | doubt
if / should have presumed to think of
marrying Rose Marie, had it not been
for a remark of yours dropped when
Fred and | 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 | would protect Rose-Marie ten
derly. You see women have been a
lost part of my existence-no mother
from infancy. no sisters. just one up
hill struggle to the profession.
"Who is this Aunt Piper? And
why, exactly. is our little Rose to be
sent to her?"
"She is a sister of mine,' Mrs. Will
mot replied, "f0r whom the rest of us
had ever an awed respect. Mary could
reason US out OF or make us give up
our most recklessly planned pleasures
where parental force failed. She was
one of us. and yet not one of US, upon
her own assured PEDESTAL Fred also
has a sister Mary, so for Rose Marie'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 real
motive for sending her to her aunt'S is
TO break off growing attachment
with Bobby Atwood. Marriage with
Bobby at present would mean for
ROSe-Marie the same sacrifices the
same struggle that Fred and I remem-
ber well. My daughter must have some
thing better Bobby is but 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 l am concerned
with little Rose Marie"
Tie telephone called and the voice
of his absent young friend dolefully
greeted him over the wire.
paul" said Rose-Marie, won't YOU
come and break the routine of disci-
pline? Aunt Piper just won't let Bobby.
come and-I need you"
"Am l." asked Paul severely, ito be
again used as buffer between you and
your parents?"
"You are" Rose-Marie laughingly
replied. and hung up the receiver. 1t
was a 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 her
rufiled pink frock and the twinkle of
7 her eyes contradicted in way Paul
/ well knew, the occurrences of the girls
face.
"Aunt Piper's discipline has not at
/ least crushed you" he remarked
Rose-Marie leaned eagerly forward.
/ paul" she said, I've sent for you
so that Aunt Piper can look you over.
And who do you think suggested the
/ idea Bobby Atwood, himself" Paul
laughed quietly.
"Bobby must be pretty sure of his
comparison" he said. cor does it
mean. Rose Marie. that l am supposed
/ to intercede this time, for you and
Bobby?" Rose Marie blushed. Her
fingers touched caressingly the mans
thick, craving hair.
"It was partly for that that | sent
for YOU Paul dear" she said. "and
partly-for Yourself"
She slipped away. Paul thought as
she left him that the scent OF the hon
eysuckles was unbearably sweet Then,
woman stood before him. a small
woman this. with Rose Marie's own
dainty air, the waving hair of Rose
Marie too, silvered in curling strands,
as the girls might be a little later.
But the eyes that looked upon Paul,
measuring him, and waiting expect
antly. were deep with a beauty that
Rose -Marie's eyes had not yet learned,
beauty of understanding, perhaps,
or sympathy The twinkle Paul knew
so well flashed in this woman's dark
eyes. as she. too. spoke demurely.
81 am Aunt Piper" she said, You
wished to see me about Rose-Marie. :
81 think" Paul answered slowly
that it was suggested merely that
4 present myself for your approval"
"You have it," Aunt Piper responded