Aunt Patty's Paying Guests by Eglanton Thorne

"WHEN will Professor Faulkner be here, Mrs. Lucas? " Paulina asked the next morning at breakfast. "I am longing to see him again," she added calmly.

"I am sorry I cannot tell you," Aunt Patty replied. "He would be flattered if he knew how his presence was desired."

"Don't tell him then," said Paulina. "I would not for the world flatter him or any man. Masculine self-conceit never needs any bolstering up."

"There are exceptions, dear," said Miss Cottrell, with a soft glance at the self-complacent visage of her Josiah.

"If you mean my poppa," said Miss Dicks unflinchingly, "he's about the best example I know of a perfectly self-satisfied man."

"Ha, ha! " laughed the individual in question. "Not bad, that! She hits straight, does Pollie. But why shouldn't I be pleased with myself? I've done well in my time. I began with a dollar and now I'm worth-"

He checked himself suddenly. His eyes were on the post-bag Jenny was bringing into the room. I saw a dull, red flush rise suddenly to his forehead and then recede as quickly, leaving his countenance of a more unhealthy pallor than usual, while he watched Aunt Patty, who was unlocking the bag preparatory to distributing the letters.

Two letters were handed to Mr. Dicks. Over one, in a business-like blue envelope, I saw his hand close tightly for a moment. Then he thrust it into his coat-pocket and tried to go on with his breakfast. But his interest in it was gone. Hastily swallowing his coffee, he asked Aunt Patty to excuse him, and went out, followed by the anxious glance of his fiancé.

"Nan," said Paulina, the next moment, "don't you wish that Professor Faulkner would come back?"

"I! Oh, I don't know," I faltered, growing red and devoutly wishing that Paulina had not such an unruly tongue. It struck me afterwards that she had perhaps said the first thing that occurred to her in order to prevent Miss Cottrell's remarking on her father's sudden departure from the table. If so, she succeeded in creating a diversion, for in my confusion I turned to help myself to salt so awkwardly that I upset the tiny salt-cellar and brought upon myself an indignant expostulation from Miss Cottrell.

"How could you be so careless? Don't you know it is most unlucky to spill salt?"

"But I don't believe in ill-luck," I said. "I am not at all afraid of the consequences of this action. See, nothing is broken; I put back the salt and it is as it was before."

"It is all very well to say that," returned Miss Cottrell, "but you may have brought ill-luck on the rest of us."

"Nan, Nan," cried Paulina, assuming a tragic air, "if we are all burned in our beds to-night, I will never forgive you!"

Then we entered upon a general discussion of local superstitions, and I hoped that my maladroitness was forgotten.

Nothing ever escaped Paulina's observation. As we rose from the table she drew me towards the garden, mischief in her eyes; but the sight of the chaise standing before the hall door arrested her attention.

"Who is going off by the early train? " she asked.

"I am, Pollie," said her father, coming quickly down the stairs. "I have to go up to town on a little matter of business which cannot be delayed."

"What-the first morning! " cried Paulina. "You need not talk of my rushing about. But, if you must go, I'll drive you. Where's a hat?"

"Here," I said. "And you had better put on this-" bringing forward a dust-coat.