"I will, Papa," said the girl blushing. "I may never marry, and then youand I can live together. Wouldn't we have fun?"
Aunt Susan arrived. Ethel gazed at her spellbound. She had the kindestface she had ever seen, but oh! how old fashioned she looked. Her greyhair was drawn tightly back into a cracker knot. In front she wore abunch of tight frizzes under a little flat velvet hat with strings,something of the style of 1879. Her gown was of black made with a fullskirt trimmed with black satin bands. She wore an old-fashioned plushdolman heavily beaded and covered with fringe. Her shoes were thick likea man's, and to crown all she carried a fish-net bag. She didn't seem torealize that she looked behind the times.
Ethel thought that her teeth and eyes were the loveliest that she hadever seen on a woman of her age, for she was grandmother's senior. Sheand Mrs. Hollister looked enough alike to be twins. They fell upon eachother's neck and wept. Ethel was mentally hoping that Aunt Susan wouldpurchase some modern clothes or that none of her fashionable friendswould meet her, for among them were some who would laugh at the oldlady, and the girl felt that she'd die of mortification and anger,--notthe girls with whom she was intimate and who came to see her daily, butthe girls who belonged to the exclusive set, and with whom Ethel and herfriends seldom went as they were much younger.
The day following Mrs. Hollister phoned for a taxi, and to Ethel'shorror she ordered an open one. Ethel was to take Aunt Susan andGrandmother for a drive. She dared not demur. Had she not promised herfather to do everything for Aunt Susan? Could she hurt her deargrandmother's feelings? And last of all, she would not admit to hermother the fact that she was ashamed of Aunt Susan's appearance. No, soshe went.
As it was early in April and cool, upon this occasion Aunt Susan woreear tabs, over which she tied a thick, green veil, when it grew warmerin the sunshine she removed the veil. They drove up Riverside to Grant'sTomb, where Aunt Susan insisted upon getting out. Fortunately Ethelencountered no one whom she knew, but as they were driving up LafayetteBoulevard they passed Estelle Mason, one of her swell friends. Thechills ran up and down Ethel's spine, while she sat with her lipscompressed. The girl bowed and deliberately giggled. Even grandmother,who looked lovely, grew red. But Aunt Susan seemed not to notice it.
"I am a snob just like mother," thought the girl. "I ought to be ashamedof myself. I'll never speak to Estelle again, the rude upstart! Theysay she prides herself on her family, but I can't see that her goodblood has made a lady of her," and into Ethel's eyes came tears.
"Ethel, my dear," said Aunt Susan, "you're looking badly. Your cheeksare flushed. Do you feel ill?"
"No, Aunt Susan," she replied. "I always grow red when riding in thewind."
Grandmother had seen it all and pitied the girl.
"Deafness comes early in the Carpenter family," persisted Aunt Susan."Here, take this veil, dear, do, and tie it over your ears."
But Ethel declined, and to her joy the ride was soon over.
In the privacy of her room Grandmother Hollister confided to Ethel thatreally Aunt Susan ought to dress differently.
"I understand how you felt, dear," she continued, "when you met thatrude Mason girl and she laughed, but there's bad blood there. I know allabout her and her grandparents. My dear child, her grandmother used tobe a waitress way out West where her grandfather owned mines, and heboarded at the house where she worked, fell in love and married her.Probably there's where she gets her rudeness."
"Why, Grandmother, how did you know that?" asked Ethel.
"There's little I don't know about the fine old New York families, mydear. Remember I married into one and I heard a great deal."
After that Ethel felt comforted.
CHAPTER VII
AUNT SUSAN MAKES FRIENDS
In less than a week Mrs. Hollister had circulated the report that AuntSusan was an immensely wealthy but eccentric old maid, and that Ethelwas to be her heiress. The report spread like wildfire. Then Mrs.Hollister took the girl and told her that she must begin and makeherself invaluable to Aunt Susan, so that she alone would inherit herimmense fortune.
"Of course," she said, "she'll leave your Cousin Kate some if it, butwhy should that adopted son get the lion's share? You might just as wellhave it."
Ethel had to go everywhere with Aunt Susan,--she who so dislikedanything savoring of the conspicuous. She could hear the sneers andlaughter of Estelle Mason's set of girls and could see their looks ofamusement. At first she rebelled, but the dislike of offending hergrandmother and fear of disobeying her mother made her meekly submit,and like a martyr she went.
Aunt Susan was such a lovely character that Ethel was ashamed ofherself, for everything seemed to please her so, and she kept dwellingupon the fact that the family (especially Ethel) was so kind that sheshould never forget it. But although she bought expensive gifts for thethree women, they dared not suggest her spending anything on herself.Something kept them from it and told them that she might become offendedand leave the house.
Gradually the friends of the Hollisters' came and fell in love with AuntSusan. She was such a lady and had such charming manners. Besides,knowing her to be a wealthy woman, they accepted her with her peculiargowns, even inviting her to teas, etc. Never did an old lady have such afine visit. Harvey Bigelow was most attentive to her, Aunt Susandeclaring him to be a likely fellow, and wondering why her niece Katedidn't fancy him.
She spoke often of Thomas Harper--her adopted son and protege. He was afine lawyer and was devoted to her. She received letters from him twicea week, from which she read extracts. Mrs. Hollister declared that hewas crafty and after Aunt Susan's money, and it seemed to worry her nota little. She even started in to insinuate as much to the lady, whogazed at her peculiarly until Grandmother took her alone one day andsaid: "If ever you expect to make Aunt Susan fond of Ethel you are goingto work the wrong way. She's very sharp, and if you speak ill of ThomasHarper you'll show your hand--I warn you.
"She'll do as she chooses and you can't compel her to do otherwise.She's fond of Ethel now for herself. I warn you, Bella, not to let yourgreediness make Susan know you as you are. I'd like her to keep thegood opinion of you that she has at present."
Mrs. Hollister knew that her mother-in-law spoke the truth and she saidnothing, but left the room.
CHAPTER VIII
ETHEL IS INVITED TO VISIT
One morning in May, as the last days of Aunt Susan's visit were drawingto a close, she said to Mrs. Hollister: "Bella, Ethel tells me that hervacation begins next week. Now I've been thinking it over. The childdoesn't look strong. She needs country air. I don't mean yourfashionable places, but where she can live out of doors in a simplegown, play games, and take long walks, etc. Now you've given me such apleasant time that I'm going to invite her to go home with me. I'll waitfor her school to close and we can start from here Saturday."
Mrs. Hollister was overjoyed. Of all things that was what she had mostdesired and, too, it would save them much expense, for a summer's tripto a fashionable hotel made a large hole in Archibald Hollister'ssalary.
"Yes, indeed, Aunt Susan, she will be simply delighted to go," repliedthe lady. "I'll get her ready at once."
"She'll need nothing new," called out Aunt Susan. "We're very plainpeople. We live simply, and her gowns and hats will seem like visions ofParis fashions to the girls in our town. Then I shall ask Kate to comefor a visit as well. And, by the way, Bella, come back; I wish to saysomething. You know my niece Kate goes up into Camp this summer with hergirls. Now I should like Ethel to go along. It is a great movement--thisCamp Fire movement--and it will do the child lots of good, for shestrikes me as very delicate."
Mrs. Hollister gasped.
"Yes," she replied, "Kate spoke to me of it but I shouldn't care forEthel to join."
"Why not?" asked Aunt Susan. "It certainly is the most creditable thingany girl can join. It's a wonderful institution. What objection can youhave?" and she looked at her niece tentatively.
Mrs. Hollister reviewed the sit
uation as she stood there. It would notdo for her to air her objections to Aunt Susan. She was just a littleafraid of that lady and wished her to have a good opinion of her, so shecontinued reluctantly: "Well, you see, Aunt Susan, it is such astrenuous life, and Ethel is not over robust. I'm almost afraid it mightdo her more harm than good."
"Nonsense, Bella," replied Aunt Susan, "that's the most shallowobjection you could advance. I should deem it a personal favor if you'llgive your consent."
Now Mrs. Hollister dared not withhold her consent, and yet she wasangry. That Ethel was at last to be entrapped into belonging to thatdetestable Organization was what she had never dreamed could take place.She was caught and trapped; there was no help. Even though she gave herconsent, after Ethel came home in the fall she could talk her out of it.So she said with a of show amiability: "Since you desire it, Aunt Susan,I'll consent, but I don't approve of it at all, I must admit."
"Thank you," replied Aunt Susan. "I think you'll feel differently whenyou see Ethel upon her return home this fall. All of the girls in Akronare joining. They're crazy over it."
Mrs. Hollister replied that she was open to conviction and should beglad if Ethel derived any benefit from it.
"But what shall I buy for her to wear?" she asked.
"I will attend to her outfit," replied Aunt Susan. "It is notexpensive."
CHAPTER IX
ETHEL AND AUNT SUSAN START
Ethel was overjoyed that permission had been obtained to allow her tobecome a Camp Fire Girl.
"Isn't Aunt Susan clever to have been able to have gotten Mother tochange her mind?"
Grandmother smiled but said nothing, but when alone Mrs. Hollister said:"Ethel, remember that you are in line for Aunt Susan's money.Grandmother says she admires you and thinks that you have shown hergreat courtesy--says you've been kindness itself to her--so it has paid,hasn't it, dear? Now your visit will do the business, and you'llprobably come in for the lion's share. Of course, you are only sixteen,but who knows what may happen? When you finish school you may become theDuchess of Everton's sister-in-law--think of it--and I alone shall beresponsible."
"Oh, Mamma," replied Ethel, growing red, "you know I am only a younggirl yet. Besides, I loathe Harvey Bigelow. He talks through his noseand is vulgar."
"Nonsense," replied her mother, "look at all of the young men of today,especially among the rich. Are they so very good looking?"
"Yes," replied Ethel, "I think Dorothy Kip has four fine lookingbrothers, and I know lots of good looking young men, but I can't endureHarvey Bigelow although I love Nannie."
"Well, Harvey averages well as to looks, and think of his position andfamily, and you a poor man's daughter. If you'll be guided by me, mydear, I'll put you above them all. Were your father to die what couldyou do? Should you like to be a saleswoman?"
Ethel was angry but she knew that her mother spoke wisely. She, too,loved money and position, as well perhaps as Mrs. Hollister, but she wasnot quite so worldly.
The Saturday arrived at last and they started for Akron. Although Ethelfelt ashamed to admit it, owing to Aunt Susan's conspicuous appearance,she dreaded the train ordeal, but there was no help for it. She didspeak of it to her mother, who calmly surveyed her daughter and replied:"Ethel, I fear you are a snob."
The girl regarded her mother with astonishment, who withoutembarrassment calmly continued: "Did you ever see me act as though I wasashamed of your aunt?"
And as Ethel thought, she was forced to admit that she never had, forMrs. Hollister was a strange anomaly. Her snobbishness seemed to lie inthe desire to rise socially--to take her place with the best--but shenever had seemed to even take exception to Aunt Susan's appearance; infact, she felt that people would consider it the eccentricity of awealthy woman. She went with her everywhere and never was ashamed,therefore her reproof to her daughter was sincere.
CHAPTER X
THE JOURNEY
The journey was very pleasant. Ethel enjoyed it. Aunt Susan removed herhat and tied the objectionable green veil around her head. This didn'tseem quite so out of place. As they talked Ethel noticed that Aunt Susanwas wonderfully well informed on every subject. She was like anencyclopedia, and her conversation was most interesting.
As they were nearing their destination many of her townspeople passedthrough the train. They greeted her most heartily with: "Well, well,Mrs. Carpenter, we have missed you. Had a pleasant time?"
"How's my boy?" she asked of one man.
"My, but he's fine," rejoined the man,--"won a big case the other day.Haven't you heard about it? Sears, the automobile man--someone accusedhim of infringing on his patent, and he--Sears--sued him. Tom won thesuit. Everyone is congratulating him," etc.
Each person had some report of Tom.
"They seem to love Aunt Susan," thought Ethel. "It only goes to show howmuch people think of money. Perhaps were she poor they wouldn't noticeher." But wasn't her own mother a money-worshipper, and didn't sheherself care for people who had it? "I suppose it's the way of theworld," she thought.
The train slowed into the depot. A tall broad-shouldered athleticlooking fellow entered the car and grasped Aunt Susan by the waist, andas he lifted her almost from the floor he kissed her affectionatelysaying: "Oh, my! but Aunt Susan I've missed you," and his voice rangmanly and true.
Ethel liked his face. He had keen but pleasant grey eyes, a square jaw,large mouth and fine teeth. "But alas!" she thought, "how terribly hedresses, with his loosely tied black cravat, a slouch hat, low collarand wide trousers--like types of eccentric literary men seen on thestage and in pictures."
He was absolutely devoid of style, yet everyone seemed to look up to himand lots of pretty girls blushed unconsciously as he returned theirbows. Aunt Susan must have spoken to everyone who passed. They allseemed to know her well.
As they drove up and alighted at the door of a small plain house shemust have noticed a disappointed look in her niece's eyes, for she said:"Your Grandmother and I were born here, my dear. That large house on thehill once belonged to me, but I disposed of it and moved here. I lovethe associations. Although it is very primitive. I trust you may behappy in it while visiting under its roof."
And indeed it was primitive with its wooden shutters and piazza with astone floor made of pieces of flagging. The rooms were low-ceilingedwith windows of tiny panes, whose white muslin curtains were trimmedwith ball fringe made by Aunt Susan. There were ingrain carpets on thefloor and old-fashioned mahogany furniture--the real thing, notreproductions. It was massive and handsome with exquisite hand carving.
Ethel's floor was covered with the old-fashioned rag carpeting and rugsto match. Vases of roses were on the bureau and stand, evidently putthere by "Mr. Thomas" as she called him.
CHAPTER XI
THE NEXT DAY
She slept as she had never before slept and was awakened in the morningby the robins that sang in the white blossomed cherry trees. It was solovely that she lay quite still to listen. Then she arose, but beforedressing she gazed out of the window. They were over a mile from thetown. The path up from the gate was bordered on either side by springflowers. Immense trees hid the road from view but she could hear thetoot of the motors in passing and it all seemed strange, for the housewas over one hundred years old, and everything, even to the pump in theyard, was so old-fashioned.
Ethel looked sideways at the house on the hill in which Aunt Susan toldher she had once lived. It was immense,--more like an Institution.Probably it had been sold and remodeled, and perhaps was something ofthe sort now, thought Ethel.
She dressed and went down stairs. Aunt Susan must have been up sometime, for the house looked so clean, and the odor of roses waseverywhere,--roses on the old-fashioned piano, on the mantel, and on thebreakfast table.
Ethel ate heartily, everything tasted so good. Old Jane, the maid of allwork, had been with her Aunt Susan ever since her father's death manyyears before, and she was a woman who cooked most deliciously. Ethelwondered why Aunt Susan kept but one maid
, although she ceased to wonderat anything after Aunt Susan had finished breakfast.
"Tom lives in Akron at the hotel," said she. "He has many clients, someof whom can only consult him in the evening, and that's why he cannotstay here with me. But until I left for New York," she continued, "I hadthe village school teacher for company. You see, although this placebelongs to Akron, there are many children who cannot journey back andforth to school, so we have a little schoolhouse near. The teacherusually boards with me, and with Jane in the kitchen I am wellprotected."
Ethel pondered. She had solved the mystery. Aunt Susan was a miser, ofthat there was no doubt. Imagine a woman of her immense wealth taking aboarder and living as she did. Ethel wondered if at night when everyonewas sound asleep she counted her money as misers do; and perhaps it wason this very mahogany table that she emptied the bags before counting.
"What they had to eat was of the best and she enjoyed the ham and eggsand freshly churned butter. After a while she started up stairs, butAunt Susan was ahead of her.
"Oh, Auntie, I wanted to make my own bed."
"Well, dear, you may after today, if you will. Jane is pretty old to goup and down stairs."