day.
Haven't you heard about it? Sears, the automobile man--someone accused
him of infringing on his patent, and he--Sears--sued him. Tom won the
suit. Everyone is congratulating him," etc.

Each person had some report of Tom.

"They seem to love Aunt Susan," thought Ethel. "It only goes to show how
much people think of money. Perhaps were she poor they wouldn't notice
her." But wasn't her own mother a money-worshipper, and didn't she
herself care for people who had it? "I suppose it's the way of the
world," she thought.

The train slowed into the depot. A tall broad-shouldered athletic
looking fellow entered the car and grasped Aunt Susan by the waist, and
as he lifted her almost from the floor he kissed her affectionately
saying: "Oh, my! but Aunt Susan I've missed you," and his voice rang
manly and true.

Ethel liked his face. He had keen but pleasant grey eyes, a square jaw,
large mouth and fine teeth. "But alas!" she thought, "how terribly he
dresses, with his loosely tied black cravat, a slouch hat, low collar
and wide trousers--like types of eccentric literary men seen on the
stage and in pictures."

He was absolutely devoid of style, yet everyone seemed to look up to him
and lots of pretty girls blushed unconsciously as he returned their
bows. Aunt Susan must have spoken to everyone who passed. They all
seemed to know her well.

As they drove up and alighted at the door of a small plain house she
must have noticed a disappointed look in her niece's eyes, for she said:
"Your Grandmother and I were born here, my dear. That large house on the
hill once belonged to me, but I disposed of it and moved here. I love
the associations. Although it is very primitive. I trust you may be
happy in it while visiting under its roof."

And indeed it was primitive with its wooden shutters and piazza with a
stone floor made of pieces of flagging. The rooms were low-ceilinged
with windows of tiny panes, whose white muslin curtains were trimmed
with ball fringe made by Aunt Susan. There were ingrain carpets on the
floor and old-fashioned mahogany furniture--the real thing, not
reproductions. It was massive and handsome with exquisite hand carving.

Ethel's floor was covered with the old-fashioned rag carpeting and rugs
to match. Vases of roses were on the bureau and stand, evidently put
there by "Mr. Thomas" as she called him.

CHAPTER XI

THE NEXT DAY

She slept as she had never before slept and was awakened