Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-12-01
AUNTiE'S WISH
BY GRACE CANFIELD.


Wish l might
Have the wish ! wish tonight"
The slender, Nhite-haired figure
was very still as she fervently repeat
ed the old incantatiOn, and after it
the wish, 81 want young manw
Aunt Emmy had not intended to speak
aloud, nor was she even aware that
she had done so. And so intent was
she that she did not hear the gasp of
amazement from the other side of the
room.
Niece Marjorie retreated hastily to
her own room to consider the amaz-
ing situation. Aunt Emmy, sixty if
she was a day (thus Marjorie, with
the unconscious cruelty Of YOUTH, and
wanting a man! Why, she hated
men! 1t was only with the greatest
difficulty that Marjorie could secure
her permission to go anywhere with
male escort.
THE old ducky dear" sighed Mar
jorie to herself. "She has been every
thing in the world to me for years,
and have been only a selfish brute in
return. If she wants a young man
she shall certainly have one!"
In the early twilight of the next
evening Marjorie again saw her aunt
standing in the western window, re-
peating her wish to Venus. The north
window by which Marjorie stood
opened on a porch, and as she paused,
wondering what to do, she heard
XI-hi tSi1 hO VIII
"Marge, can't you come out for
walkY The girl slipped out Of the
room and met Eaton at the door.
You mustn't ask me again." she
said. you know auntie doesn't like
TO have me go out with men,"
Marjorie suddenly interrupted his
half-uttered complaint
Eaton. did you hear what auntie
was saying-to the starr" He flushed.
"Yes. I'm sorry. l didn't intend
to-"
I'm glad you did," she said quick
ly. Eaton, l love my Aunt Emmy,
and If she wants a young man, she
must have one"
Dimly Eaton perceived that he was
about to be sacrificed on the altar
of Marjorie's love- and felt still more
sorry that he had overheard.
'"The only way you can be my
friend" she was saying, sis by being
nice to Aunt Emmy"
''Tll be nice, but won't make love-"
said the lad, rebelliously.
"Silly" Marjorie fared up. "Of
course you wouldn't act as you would
with-'
You" he supplied.
"A girl your own age" she contin-
ued with heightened color "But you
can pay her a lot of attention, and
make her feel that you care lot for
ber."
Say! !" he leaned forward eagerly
| Would l have a better chance with
you If"
SILLY" she scOlded again. you
must do it just for Aunt Emmy's sake"
1t is just possible that the young man
! saw more in MarjOrie's eyes than she
cared to say, for his opposition was
! not so strong from this point on. Final
! ly, though with some reluctance still,
! he yielded, and went away.
! The next day, to Aunt Emmy's un-
! bounded amazement, she received a
box of American beauties by the early
| post.
who on earth-the lovely things
| Eaton c." She read the card. her
| breath coming in soft gasps.
This was the first Of her surprises,
but 1t was by no means the last.
| Eaton had determined from the start
that If he did this thing he would do
1t well, and Marjorie was obliged to
admit that he responded nObIy to her
plea. Candy followed flowers, and
calls followed the candy, until Aunt
Emmy was overwhelmed. She treated
Eaton at first with very stiff cour-
tesy, for she had not approved of him.
However, as the young man continued
his attentions, completely ignoring
Marjorie, the old lady visibly changed
her mind, and took him into favor.
EatOn's utter neglect Of Marjorie
was so marked that finally she began
to feel little piqued. OF course, ev-
eryOne who knew Aunt Emmy, loved
her to death, but he might admit that
she had a niece!
1t was Aunt Emmy who finally
| opened the subject.
Marjorie" she said. 81 have a con-
fessiOn to make, and 1 want your ad-
vice" Her niece was little startled
she had thought confession her own
prerogative.
do you believe In wishing on
stars?" Aunt Emmy's tone was slight
ly abashrd
YES" promptly.
"Well, do you think a wish could
ever go wrong?" Aunt Emmy was
flushing painfully. Marjorie was puz-