Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad

ul girl of fifteen was somewhat bitter and misanthropic, a condition perhaps due to the uncongenial atmosphere in which she had been reared. She was of dark complexion and her

to someone else, and wondered what lay behind t

ather and mother, who quarrelled constantly over trifles that Beth completely ignored. Her parents seemed like two

dress on Sundays and held her chin a little higher than any other of the Cloverton ladies dared do. The Professor, no longer harrassed by debts, devoted less time to the drudgery of teaching and began the composition of an oratorio t

le-a wonderful and charming phenomenon, during which her expression grew sweet and bewitchin

te desire to be loved and fondled, completely transformed her for the moment. Louise, shrewd at reading others, told herself that Beth possessed a reserve force of tenderness, amiability and fond devotion that would render her adorable if she ever allowed those qualities full expression. But she did not tell Beth that

onstrated by her reception of Uncle John's telegram. She quietly handed it to

k I sha

ck had an atom of common sense he'd have taken me to Europe instead of a troop of stupid

ing to keep me. I'll go to Patsy

ther, looking into the expre

always interesting, and I have never travelled except to visit

ld's complex nature, and somewhat resented Beth's youth and good looks, which she considered contrasted unfavorably with her own deepening wrinkles and graying hair. For

bid the Professor good-bye. He frowned at the interruption, for the oratorio was especially engrossing at the time. Mrs.

splayed by her parents. It was what she had always been accus

escaping from her smacking and enthusiastic kisses, told herself that Patsy would have embraced a cat with the same spontaneous ecstacy. That was not strictly tru

to realize there was a broad strata of womanliness somewhere in Elizabeth's undemonstrative character. He h

d the three girls canvassed gravely their requirements for a trip that was as new to them as a flight to the moon. Naturally, they bought

butterfly existence, and her character was decidedly superficial to any close observer. Indeed, her very suavity and sweetness of manner was assumed, because it was so much more comfortable and effective to be agreeable than otherwise. She was now past seventeen years of age, tall and well formed, with a delicate and attractive face which, without being beautiful, was considered

rown together under trying circumstances, when various qualities of temperament not altogether admirable were liable to assert themselves. Those events were too recent to be already forgotten, yet the girls were ge

he secretly regretted Louise was not more genuine, that Beth was so cynical and frank, and that Patsy was not more diplomatic. But he reflected that he had had no hand in molding their characters, althoug

d the staunch and comfortable ocean greyhound known as the "Princess Irene," together with their bags and baggage, their flowers and fruits and candy

off, and whispered in the ear of Louise many worldly admonitions and such

hat was meant to assure Patsy he was delighted at her going, but which had the effect of s

gave him a long list of directions that would, as he said, cause him to

ughed and joked perpetually during that last day, and promised the girl that he would take a vacation while she was gone and visit his old colonel in Virginia, which she knew was the rarest pleasure he could enj

ght embrace, whispering that Patsy should be now, as ever, t

ively. "It's little enough for ye to remember if ye go that way, an' to tell the truth I'm sending ye abroad just for to get them. An' don't be ge

le John, stoutly. "I never

have the tailor sponge your vest every Saturday. It's full of spots even now, and I've

!" called a

sant journey; and then the four voyagers pressed to the rail and waved their handkerchiefs frantically to those upon the dock while the band played vociferously and the sailors ran here and