Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad

hard working life never thought of such a thing as travelling or enjoying myself until I fell in with you, and you taught me how pleasant it is to scatter sunshine in the hearts of others. For to

terrupted the Major. "Pats

ou'll run across in a month of Sundays. I dare you to deny it, sir. And they are all at an age when an European trip will do them a wo

ed her delight. T

Beth and Loui

face

"I'd forgotten to

ady in a week, easily. But Beth is way out in Oh

er, and find out,

y," suggeste

wil

t sure she'll want to go, dear. She's such a social butte

she's engaged?" aske

wouldn't surprise me if she was married soon. She'

ough to be sensible,"

ohn, "and if she can't find time for a trip to Europe at my expense, y

ck and started for the telegraph station, leaving Pat

amily, who never had credited him with sufficient ability to earn more than a precarious livelihood. But the man was shrewd enough in a business way, although simple almost to childishness in many other matters. When he returne

. Patsy Doyle, however, proved exceptionally frank and genuine, and when Aunt Jane at last died and it was found she had no estate to bequeath, Patsy proved the one bright star in the firmament of disappointment. Supposing Uncle John to be poor, she insisted

ise Merrick lived with her widowed mother in a social atmosphere of the second class in New York, where the two women frankly intrigued to ensnare for Louise a husband who had sufficient means to ensure both mother and daughter a comfortable home. In spite of

ht a handsome modern flat building located at 3708 Willing Square, and installed her and the Major in its cosiest apartment, the rents of the remaining flats giving the Doyles an adequate income for all time to come. He

fortune, and at his solicitation it gave Major Doyle a responsible position in its main office, with a salary

teous yet brusque old warrior who had won Uncle John's love as a hard working book-keeper; and Patsy's

Jane's three nieces had so many advantages and pleasures. It was to confer still further be

Elizabeth was

u join us as my guest? If so, take first train to New York

ny way extraordinary. He thought he could depend upon Beth. She would be as eager to go as he wa

ust personally notify Louise Merrick of the proposed trip; so he too

t deny herself to Uncle John, her dead husband's brother and her only daughter's benefactor

leeping," she said, "and w

ng with her?" he

ilkman, as you do, John; and the dear child was at the

before midnight, the same

here is the supper,

the opera makes folks desperately hungry, for they flock to th

thought of it

uise is

ell, tha

'm going to take her to Europ

ropped her coffee-cup and could make no better r

have my niece ready in time and deliver her on board

ck, feebly, "it will take a month,

w little you know about European trips. No one makes gow

. "Perhaps, then, it can be done, i

imagine that any girl who is half human could ha

quirements

y soon, Martha; and if you

t do to provoke Uncle John, however unreason

e will be delighted

ou

m do you int

ls-Aunt Jane's thre

ant a chapero

y s

discreet, for it is her nature; but Patsy is such a little flyaway and Beth so

ew red and hi

r at us, or we don't go at all! Three better girls never lived, and I'll trust 'em anywhere. Besides that, we aren't going to any of your confounded soc

held up her h

ought to trust my dear child with an uncle

so discreet. Talk about your being a chaperone! Why, you don't dare say your soul's your own when Louise is awake. That chaperone business is all humbuggery-unless an old uncle like me can be a ch

ong after queer old John Merrick had gone away that she rememb

now, is going to inherit his father's money or not. He's been a bit wild, I've heard, and it is just as well to postpone any engagement until we find out the facts. I can do