Josephine Daskam Bacon

“ You see, I'm willing to make any arrangement, Cousin Jule. It's about all there is that I'm fond of now, that old place. I haven't any folks of my own, and not a chick nor child, and I love every stick and stone of that farm. I love the country, and I love Connecticut country best of all, I don't care if it is rocky. You can't make farming pay in New England any more. ”

“ And I hope you'll congratulate her, girls, though nobody knows better than I what a good housekeeper you've lost! I'll tell you the facts of the matter, and you can judge for yourself. If ever two people were made for each other, those two are your Aunt Jule and me. We love the country, and we love this farm, and what's very important, we love the same way of living.”
“That's quite true, Carrie—lyn,” Aunt Julia interposed, the tears in her eyes, but a new decision in her voice. ”

“ Miss Trueman insisted severely. “I don't understand how she could have done it—I would have died first. And she seemed to think it was a great joke to have her friends give her a dinner—I think it was terrible.”
“Why, Aunt Jule, how ridiculous! We were delighted to do it—it was perfectly dear of her to let us, too. And think of the people we met there—Rawlins and Mr. Ware! You don't mind being poor if such men will come just out of interest in you, I tell you. ”

“ Miss Trueman gasped.
“So I didn't want to see New York again; I just hated the place. And this time I only came because I found out you and the girls were here, and you were about all there was left. People die so. And I wanted to find out about the old place. I wanted to buy it, if I could, when I thought it was sold.”
“But, Cousin Lorando, I couldn't sell it!”
“Oh, no, I s'pose not. Still, I might buy out the girls' thirds and rent yours, couldn't I? I'd pay you as much and more than anybody else would, I guess. And you could keep your interest. ”

“ Miss Trueman returned, the finality of her tone indicating that she had explained any possible idiosyncrasy of the lady in question.
“Oh, I see. And the little red-haired one, does she write books, too?”
“No; she's an artist. She smokes too, though. Not cigars, like yours, but cigarettes. She's supposed to be a very good painter, but she doesn't make what Carrie—lyn makes. The girls have very good positions in Miss Abrams' school.” ”

“ You've known me ever since I was a boy, and I've known you, and it's nobody's business but ours if we want to finish up together.' I may have said a few other things, too, but that's neither here nor there. ”

“ You'll see more grass in a minute there than you can hunt up here in a week. Come on, Cousin Jule!”
“I believe I will!” said Miss True-man, with conviction.
“Just pack up a bag for your aunt, Carrie, while I get a cab,” said Mr. Bean from the doorway. “We're going up to the old place—I'm thinking of buying it. I expect we'll be back tomorrow.”
“Your cousin appears to be a person of decision,” Mrs. Ranger suggested to the still dazed Elise, as the cab rolled away.
“I don't understand Aunt Ju-ju at all,” Carolyn interpolated crossly. ”

“ Now don't be afraid, but come right out and see them!”
“Why, bless your heart, Lorando, I'm not afraid,” a familiar voice answered; and Aunt Julia appeared before them, cool in blue checked gingham, with an enveloping white apron and familiarly floury hands.
“I'm just beating up some biscuit for tea,” she explained, “but I guess you can shake hands with me, girls “; and as she extended both arms hospitably they saw upon her floured left hand an unmistakable shining gold band.
“Aunt Jule!” they gasped together. “Are you—is it—”
“That's it exactly,” said Cousin Lorando Bean. “She is. ”