Aunt Janes Nieces at Work | Page 2

undertaker's. It's because the public's so indiscriminating that I've
not run for anything since--except th' street-car."
"But it's a big game," said Uncle John, standing at the window with his
hands deep in his pockets; "and an important game. Every good
American should take an interest in politics; and Kenneth, especially,
who has such large landed interests, ought to direct the political affairs
of his district."
"I'm much interested in politics, too, Uncle," declared the girl. "If I

were a man I'd--I'd--be President!"
"An' I'd vote fer ye twenty times a day, mavourneen!" cried the Major.
"But luckily ye'll be no president--unless it's of a woman's club."
"There's the bell!" cried Patsy. "It must be the girls. No one else would
call so early."
"It's Beth's voice, talking to Nora," added her father, listening; and then
the door flew open and in came two girls whose bright and eager faces
might well warrant the warm welcome they received.
"Oh, Louise," cried Patsy, "however did you get up so early?"
"I've got a letter from Kenneth," was the answer, "and I'm so excited I
couldn't wait a minute!"
"Imagine Louise being excited," said Beth, calmly, as she kissed Uncle
John and sat down by Patsy's side. "She read her letter in bed and
bounced out of bed like a cannon-ball. We dressed like the 'lightning
change' artist at the vaudeville, and I'm sure our hats are not on
straight."
"This bids fair to be a strenuous day," observed the Major. "Patsy's had
a letter from the boy, herself."
"Oh, did you?" inquired Louise; "and do you know all about it, dear?"
"She knows sixty pages about it," replied Major Doyle.
"Well, then, what's to be done?"
The question was addressed to Patsy, who was not prepared to reply.
The three cousins first exchanged inquiring glances and then turned
their eager eyes upon the broad chubby back of Uncle John, who
maintained his position at the window as if determined to shut out the
morning sunlight.
Louise Merrick lived with her mother a few blocks away from Patsy's

apartment, and her cousin Beth DeGraf was staying with her for a time.
They had all spent the summer with Uncle John at Millville, and had
only returned to New York a few days before. Beth's home was in Ohio,
but there was so little sympathy between the girl and her parents that
she was happy only when away from them. Her mother was Uncle
John's sister, but as selfish and cold as Uncle John was generous and
genial. Beth's father was a "genius" and a professor of music--one of
those geniuses who live only in their own atmosphere and forget there
is a world around them. So Beth had a loveless and disappointed
childhood, and only after Uncle John arrived from the far west and took
his three nieces "under his wing," as he said, did her life assume any
brightness or interest.
Her new surroundings, however, had developed Beth's character
wonderfully, and although she still had her periods of sullen depression
she was generally as gay and lovable as her two cousins, but in a
quieter and more self-possessed way.
Louise was the eldest--a fair, dainty creature with that indescribable
"air" which invariably wins the admiring regard of all beholders.
Whatever gown the girl wore looked appropriate and becoming, and
her manner was as delightful as her appearance. She was somewhat
frivolous and designing in character, but warm-hearted and staunch in
her friendships. Indeed, Louise was one of those girls who are so
complex as to be a puzzle to everyone, including themselves.
Beth DeGraf was the beauty of the group of three, and she also
possessed great depth of character. Beth did not like herself very well,
and was always afraid others would fail to like her, so she did not win
friends as easily as did Louise. But those who knew the beautiful girl
intimately could read much to admire in the depth of her great dark
eyes, and she was not the least interesting of the three nieces whose
fortunes had been so greatly influenced by Aunt Jane and Uncle John
Merrick.
But Patricia Doyle--usually called "Patsy" by her friends--was after all
the general favorite with strangers and friends alike. There was a subtle
magnetism about the girl's laughing, freckled face and dancing blue

eyes that could not well be resisted. Patsy was not beautiful; she was
not accomplished; she had no especial air of distinction. But she was
winning from the top of her red hair to the tips of her toes, and so
absolutely unaffected that she won all hearts.
"And for wisdom she's got Solomon beat to a frazzle," declared the
Major to Uncle John, in discussing his daughter's character. But it is
possible that Major Doyle was prejudiced.