et off so easily as he was,
but his mother cried and pleaded, and Mr. Carroll was too kind-hearted
to resist. So he did not punish them at all, save by utterly
discarding the whole family and their concerns. The place got too hot
for them after the story came out, and in less than a month all moved
away--much to the benefit of Mapleton.

In Spite of Myself

My trunk was packed and I had arranged with my senior partner--I was
the junior member of a law firm--for a month's vacation. Aunt Lucy had
written that her husband had gone on a sea trip and she wished me to
superintend the business of his farm and mills in his absence, if I
could arrange to do so. She added that "Gussie" thought it was a pity
to trouble me, and wanted to do the overseeing herself, but that
she--Aunt Lucy--preferred to have a man at the head of affairs.

I had never seen my step-cousin, Augusta Ashley, but I knew, from Aunt
Lucy's remarks concerning her, pretty much what sort of person she
was--just the precise kind I disliked immeasurably. I had no idea what
her age was, but doubtless she was over thirty, tall, determined,
aggressive, with a "faculty" for managing, a sharp, probing nose, and
a y-formation between her eyebrows. I knew the type, and I was assured
that the period of sojourn with my respected aunt would be one of
strife between Miss Ashley and myself.

I wrote to Aunt Lucy to expect me, made all necessary arrangements,
and went to bid Nellie goodbye. I had made up my mind to marry Nellie.
I had never openly avowed myself her suitor, but we were cousins, and
had grown up together, so that I knew her well enough to be sure of my
ground. I liked her so well that it was easy to persuade myself that I
was in love with her. She more nearly fulfilled the requirements of my
ideal wife than anyone I knew. She was pleasant to look upon, without
being distractingly pretty; small and fair and womanly. She dressed
nicely, sang and played agreeably, danced well, and had a cheerful,
affectionate disposition. She was not alarmingly clever, had no
"hobbies," and looked up to me as heir to all the wisdom of the
ages--what man does not like to be thought clever and brilliant? I had
no formidable rival, and our families were anxious for the match. I
considered myself a lucky fellow. I felt that I would be very lonely
without Nellie when I was away, and she admitted frankly that she
would miss me awfully. She looked so sweet that I was on the p