Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 April 1907 — WINNING MISS EDITH. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WINNING MISS EDITH.

By James Heclow.

“Why bo glumf’ asked Carl Bray aa Millie hurried up. “You look as though you had just come from the funeral of your best friend.” “I come from the burial of hopes,” she said. ’ “I had a perfectly horrid time with Aunt Edith this morning.” “Doesn’t she want a nepbew-in-law?’ he asked, growing grave. < “When I told her that I had known you for some time and that you wanted permission to call, she answered that I must Have shown how much I cared.” 1

“That’s no crime,” he said softly. “Not that,” she agreed, “but she said that If I had known you long enough to care for you and you had not sought her permission to pay attention to me you were not the sort of man to make a good husband and that I must never see you again.” “But she never goes into society,” he protested, “and we were in love with each other before it ever occurred to Us to ask permission of her to do so.” “I told her all that,” answered Millie, “but it did no good. When Aunt Edith has her mind made up, there Is no use trying to change it” “There isn’t?” he said, with a snap of his determined jaw. “I’ll land the old lady yet. You watch me. So don’t worry, dear. I’ll make her like me whether she wants to or not. Don’t you think I can?” he asked as her face did not clear. “You’re a dear,” she said hesitatingly, “Mit Aunt Edith is awfully stubborn.” “But you don’t know how fascinating I can be to old ladles,” he Insisted. “Sometimes I think I should have done better bad I given up my business to become a book agent selling something that appeals to old ladies.” “Aunt Edith hates book agents,” she said dolefully. “Well, I’m not one yet,” he laughed. “It will all come out all right” Millie took comfort from his confidence, but Carl was by no means as certain as be tried to appear. Miss Edith-Ormsby was not a person to be easily won. She lived in the past. Life

had stopped for her when the man she was to marry was killed In a railroad wreck. She had become a recluse In the handsome house at the foot of the Claire street hill. When her sister died and left her little daughter to Miss Edith’s care, she had lightened a little the rigors of her life, but she had never gone Into society, and she was still of the belief that an honorable suitor first made application to the parents of the girl he loved before he sued for her hand. • ' When Millie confessed that she loved Carl Bray and he had asked that ho might see the old lady, she gasped, realizing what would happen, but she had conveyed his request bravely enough, only to be met by a rebuff. . ' . She had been ordered never to see Carl again, and Miss Edith had departed to Interview Drina Newhall, who chaperoned Millie when she went out in society. Cart left the girl with a heavy heart, though his parting was a laughing assurance that all would come right Almost unconsciously he turned his steps toward the hill. He had half promised to drop over and see how the new coasting bob was working. He and his two small nephews had put a lot of work in the construction of the bobs, and today was the first time there had been a chance to use them. The Claire street hill was the recognized coasting point There' were no intersecting car tracks, teamsters were used to watching the point and there was but little traffic He found the small boys aglow with prldti* By cunningly weighting the sleds the bobs had turned out the fastest on the hilt, and Ctiri readily fell in with their suggestion that he try their soeed. He had made two trips and was preparing for the third when he noticed stepped up. ■ ;

pleasantly. “The hill is in splendid shape,” “Nonsenser was the energetic reply. “I have not ridden on those things since I was a little girl.” “All tte more reason you should seek to renew the pleasure,” he smiled. “It’s great fun.” “The last time I coasted down this hill was in the winter of 1872. I was nineteen then.” “Be nineteen again,” he pleaded, held by the look of longing in her eyes. “It’s helped me wonderfully today. I’ll be careful. Will you come?” Carl had spoken the truth when he told Millie that he was .successful with the old ladles. There were a genial frankness in his manner and an honest look in his face that won regard and confidence. For a moment the old lady hesitated; then with a little laugh she stepped og the curb. “If any one sees me I shall tell them that you hypnotized me,” she warned as, smiling with excitement, she took her place on the seat Carl took the tiller, and Ben and Bobby gained a running start before they threw themselves on.

They shot down the hill with an easy motion that deceived as to the speed. The trees lining the sidewalk flew past, and twice Carl forged ahead of some other sled, and his passengers echoed the triumphant ,shouts voiced by the boys. She rose reluctantly as they at last came to a stop. Her eyes sparkled, and there was a soft flush in her yellow eheeks. “I was nineteen for awhile,” she smiled at Carl. “I did not Imagine that I should enjoy it so,” “Try it again,” he urged promptly. “I’ll help you up.” For a moment she wavered; then, accepting the proffered arm, she started back up the hill. They stood chatting at the top while waiting for the boys to drag up the heavy bobs. She told of the old days, while he listened with respectful attention, and once or twice she even joined his good natured banter as some of the boys they had passed came along. Then the boys arrived with the bobs, and a second time she carefully tucked her skirts about her and prepared for the swift descent This time three sleds started out together to race. She entered into the spirit of the occasion and nearly lost her balance looking back to see how far behind they were leaving their competitors. ~l._ So Intent upon the race was she that as the bobs came to a stop she never noticed the horrified young woman standing on the sidewalk until a shocked “Auntie!” attracted ner attention.

“Don't you say a word about my rheumatism,” she ordered* briskly. “This young gentleman has given me back my youth, and you don’t have rheumatism when you’re only nine“Want to have a ride, too, Millie?” laughed Carl. His passenger faced him quickly. “Do you mean to say that you are the young reprobate who has been trying to steal my girl away?” she demanded. “You’ve got it all wrong,” he explained. “I’m not a reprobate, and I’m not trying to steal Millie. We never expected to leave—that is, unless yon want us to.” “And this was all part of a plan to gain my good humor?” she went on. “Believe me,” he said earnestly. “I had no idea who you were. It seemed to me that you wanted to take a trip, and It had done me so much good that I wanted you to try it” For a moment her sharp eyes searched his face. Then she put out her hand. « , “I believe you, Carl,” she said. “Suppose you come home, with Millie and me and talk it over. I suppose that even courtships are different nowadays, so I shall not hold that against you.” Carl lingered In the hall to struggle with his overcoat and to whisper to Millie, “I told you so.” Miss Edith heard the soft sound that followed, but she only smiled indulgently, for Carl had won two hearts instead of one.

“WON’T YOU TRY A RIDE ?” HE ASKED PLEASANTLY.