The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-07-25
A Propos-I That
Went Astray
BY HAZEI SMITH

Betty, what is that I hear about
Jour new beauT asked her Aunt Jes-
sic fndulgently.
Jessie Minfurn was thirry-tEo and
not pretty. She lived with her wild
owed sister. Mrs. Charters. and her
only child, over whose madcap nature
she exercised what restraint was pos
sibIe
sWhe told your asked Betty, turn
ing On her aunt In artful triumph
Ny dear, it's become village Cos
SIP" said Aunt Jessie. And when a
thing gets TO be that it's time some
thing was done How about George
Crothersl"
"Oh, George Is all right. sad Betty.
But George is just my ordinary, reg
ular beau. and WiIfred is quite diff
ferent-r
'Wilfred?" exclaimed her aunt vii
fred whoY
'.Now you'll have TO ind that out
for yourself, aunt, said Betty, dane
ing away. ..But don't be afraid. I'm
only leading him on just 70 have some
fun with him He's really 100 old for
me, aunt-he must be nearly forty"
Betty. Pm going TO tell you some
thing" said Jessie Minturn. You're
emily slip Of child yet and you don't
know nearly as much as 90 about
about men, auntf' queried Betty
ln amusement, seeing the color flaming
An her aunts face.
"About the world" Aunt Jessie an
IEwered. Years age-ten years, / sup
pose said Aunt Jessie. met somebody
never mind where. I was an mex
perienced. impulsiye girl and he was
my first conquest. One evening. when
he had been calling on ne, and had
aaid goodnight he stopped at the
door and looked at me. | was very
rnuch in love with him, although he
had said nothing to me. l suppose
my face told him all that he wanted
to know. He bent down and kissed
me, and let him. That's all
"0h, Aunt Jessie, how perfectly love
1y" exclaimed her niece delightedly.
Sand TO think you kept the secret all
these years and never told me. Go
On"
THAT'S ALL" answered her aunt
quietly.
But what happened, Aunt Jessie?
Did he propose, or whatT'
Nothing happened, my dear" the
elder woman answered. "On the fol-
lowing day | received a letter from
him. He told me how madly he loved
me and begged that / would tell him
whether / returned his love. If j did
not answer, he said, he would know
that his love was hopeless. OF course
I didn't answer"
HBut didn't you love him, Aunt Jes-
sie,f' inquired her niece in astonlsh-
meant
MY dear, loved him with all my
heart But he said nothing of mar
Rage, and / am oId-fashioned enough
to believe that a proposal should pre-
cede any demonstration of affection.
And / knew he would never marry \
girl who had let herself be kissed.
@That's why want TO warn you
Betty dear"
'I don't see that you have wrecked
your life at all; think you are just
oId-lashioned," pouted her niece,
springing away She halted at the
door. ''Wilfred is coming to supper
on Sunday night, aunt" she said mock
ingly, and few down the street Half
an hour later Miss Minturn. glancing
through the window, saw her in rapt
conversation with George Crothers.
Sunday came. The name of the Wis
itor was still obstinately withheld by
Betty. But about four o'clock she
came dancing upstairs. Hes here.
aunt" she exclaimed. You'll hear the
bell ring In a moment" And the bell
pealedl almost upon the words.
Half an hour later, when Miss Min
turn came downstairs she saw a tall
stranger standing on the hearth-rug.
listening with amusement to Betty's
chatter. He raised his head
~Allnt Jessie, this is Mr.. Garvin,"
said Betty.
Aunt Jessie's cheeks were redder
than her niece's. As fer Mr.. Garyin,
there was a look in his eyes which
seemed to indicate that he had not
been wholly unprepared for the meet
Ing.
The next ten minutes were miser-
able ones for Jessie Minturn.
"Well," said Betty at last, "as you
two seem such uninteresting company
this afternoon / shall leave you alone
fer n while" And she stalked out in
duageon.
Tie man went quietly over to Miss
Ninturn and took her hands.
I'm going to tell you something
now In spite Of your silence" he said.
Perhaps you had reasons for your
silence then which have been removed
Jessie, have loved you for ten years
won't you marry me nowT''
'sAlarry-you?" gasped Jessie Min
turn. "Why-Wilfred-y never
asked me before"
'Esut I wrote to your he exclaimed
did you not get my letter.
%Isut you onIs said yen loved me, -
- %nI&arad tsT +hnughf van doSpiSeS