Taking It For Granted.

" I have come for you again , Augusta Am I too late this time ? " cried the impatient lover . The roses came back to Aunt A ugusta ' s cheeks , and the red-hot arrows shot out of her eyes once more . "Bless us ! If it isn't Sam Averill , nose and all ! " she said , holding up her hands .

Prom twenty to fifty is but as a Avatch in the night , then the years are past ; and it is only Avhen an old lady nods triumphantly at you from the looking-glass , saying , " Here I am , my dear ! " or Avhen children that you have nursed in your arms come a ' . mind Avith the rights and duties of

fullgrown men and Avomen , that you remember one is no longer young at fifty . But the sight of Sam Averill ' s grey hairs and Avrinkles were as good as a looking-glass to remind Aunt Augusta . " Sit doAvn , Sam , " said she , " and let

me look at you . It seems like the real old times to see you once more . You look Avondcrfully natural , but dear me , IIOAV you have changed ! You ' ve groAvn old as well as myself . " But Mr . Averill Avas not to be diverted

by any side issues . " Augusta , " said he earnestly , " I made a serious mistake once . It Avas not a mistake about my OAVII mind , hoAvever ;

that remains the same as it always ATOS . Every Avoman I ' ve seen seemed like a talloAV candle beside the sun when I think of you . I have made my fortune , and all I Avant noAV is you to come and share it Avith me . It is you , or nobody , just as it always was . "

Maybe Aunt Augusta ' s heart throbbed a little Avith the old yearning towards the love of her youth , but she shook her head Avith unhesitating decision , as she put out her hand to stir the cradle Avhere her youngest grandchild lay asleep .

" It can never be , Sam , " said she . " I ivon't deny that it Avas all a mistake my marrying Stanton . He didn't turn out to be the man I took him for . He proved contrary and onery , and besides he Avrote letters in disguise . But that is all over

and past and can ' t be undone . And now I am in the midst of my children with my grandchildren growing up about me , and I am in the right place . I shouldn't be contented to leave everything and go off

to a IIOAV country to begin the Avorld over again , as it Avere . I am too old an oak to bo transplanted . " Well , after that Mr . Averill might have talked till she Avas at the age of Methuselah . Aunt Augusta had made lip her mind , and an earthquake couldn't shako it .

So Mr . Averill again Avent away alone . " Well , Amelia , Augusta Avouldn't have a Avord to say to me , " said he , Avalking in upon mother and me as we sat at supper a few evenings after , " not a Avord . " " I Avant to knoAV if that is so ! " cried

mother , fluttering up after another plate and knife . " Lay your overcoat right off , and sit by and have a cup of tea Avith us . Augusta always AA as decided , and you couldn't turn her after she got her mind fixed . She Avouldn't keep yon lraiting long for your answereither . Wellit . is

, , likely it is for the best ; Ave Avill hope so , " pursued mother , reaching orer to put an extra lump of sugar in Mr . Averill ' s cup , as though to sweeten life , if possible , for him .

It serves me right for taking it for granted that Augusta understood my intentions . I must have been a self-conceited , inconsiderate fool . But it seems hard a body can't Avork his Avay out of a blunder in a Avhole lifetime . " Mother looked full of sympathyand

, dropped another lump of sugar in Mr . Averill ' s cup . To my astonishment he seemed to relish it the better , as if life were groAving sAveeter and sweeter . Mother and Mr . Averill sat up late that night ; so latethat as I had had a hard

, day , I Avent off to bed and loft them talking over old times and purring like a couple of cats hy the kitchen fire . After breakfast the next morning , mother followed me into the hall Avhen I started for the office .

" I Avant to speak AA'ith you , Ebwell , just a minute , " said she , stroking my coatsleeA r e , tremulously . " What should you say to my going back to California along with Mr . Averill ?" " You , mother ! " I cried , feeling as

though the Avorlcl had tumbled of its axis . " Why , it is Aunt Augusta he wants . ' It is Augusta , or nobody ! ' " "Yes , so it ATOS , " returned mother , humbly , " but Sam says I seem more like Augusta , as she used to be , than she does herself . To tell you , the truth , Ehvell , "