The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-06-09

waiting for an answer she rang the bell,
and continued to the young girl who am
swered the summons, Mary Ann, take
this gentleman up to the third story
frontroom, and see that he isattended to- F."
Brown saw that it would not do to
seek an explanation in the presence of
! the servant, so he quictlv submitted to
| being led up stairs, and dislniSsing the
girl he shut the door and began to
ruminate on what should be the next
move. 1t was evident that he WIS get
/ ting himself into scrape, and he con
cluded to explain matters at the earliest
opportunity. The supper bell interrupt
ed his meditations, and it was with rath-
er a nervous air that he answered the
summons. He found Mrs. Judkins
already at the head of the table, while
opposite her sat q young girl, that he
found to be her daughter, and whom he
afterwards described to be the handsom-
est piece of feminine coquetry that he
| had ever beheld.
He took his seat at the place desig-
mated him, after being introduced to the
daughter, and the meal began. Brown
felt he could not explain matters in the
presence of all this loveliness, and so
concluded to wait until some more
suspicious moment. Mrs. Judkins kept
up an animated conversation and finally
touched on her absent husband.
Where did you and he become ac-
quainted, Mr.. Brown
Brown remembered Judkin's note, and
said, hatteringly, =" | think it was at
school, ma'amn'
At SCHOOL," exclaimed the little
woman, repeating his words, and you
have continued such good friends ever
since? | have often tried to persuade
my husband to ask you to come and
spend some time with Us. He talked of
you so much that | almost felt | knew
you, too. He promised that as soon as
you came from abroad he would send for
you, and like 4 dear old fellow that he
Is, he has kept his word. How long were
you abroad?"
Brown began to feel uncomfortable
He had never been abroad in his life.
He coughcd once or twice and then re-
piled:
Really, madam, your husband must
have been misinformed. | have not
been out of my village of Saltwater for
a year"
Indeed" calculated the lady, "and
Mr. Judkins did not know of your re-
turn until recently? Well, that is too
bad"
Brown thought it was, but did not
make any reply; and to avoid any recur-
renee to the subject, until he had ex-
planned matters, he addressed himself to
the daughter, and 50 the meal ended
The trio then withdrew to the porch and
occupied the rustic seats to enjoy the
pleasant night. Brown began to reflect
whether he did right in allowing matters
to 90 50 far as they had. He was con-
WINGED that he never had met Mr.. JUDD
kins, but what would his wife and his
beautiful daughter now say should he
commit himself, and then on the other
hand, what excuse, other than the real
state of the case could he make? And
what would Judkins do if he should re-
turn Unexpectedly while he was there?
His cogitation were put an end to by
Mrs JudkinS, who excused herself, say
ing she "must go in and help the SER
vant'-thus leaving our unhappy hero
alone with the daughter Now, Miss
Judkins was pretty, as we before stated,
and she also seemed to be aware of this
fact herself Ga common failing with
pretty young women). She also exhib-
tied strong coquettish tendencies, and as
this class of people are supposed to gather
hOmely as well rs comely masculines in
their toils-eycn so Brown was not ex-
empted. As soon as the mother had dis
appeared, the daughter laid her schemes,
and so securely was the net woven that
Brown had to confess himself thoroughly
entrapped before the close of the evening.
Indeed, so completely infatuated was he
that had it not been for the restraining
influence of the mother, who now re-
turned, he would undoubtedly have com
mitted himself. As it was, he contented
himself by squeezing her hand TIL the
owner of the injured member almost
cried out with pain, as he babe her good
night
In his room he became more perplexed
than ever. Conscience dictated he
should not delay any longer, but seek
Mrs, Judkins and explain, throwing
himself on her mercy; but then Wis
ion of lovelincss in the person of
Miranda Judkins rose up before him,
and appeared to be giggling at his ride
ulous position, and in this state of mind
he fell into troubled sleep. He arose
next morning, not feeling much refresh
ed by sleep, and dressed himself and
went down stairs. Mrs Judkins in
quired at the breakfast table if he had a
headache, and on answering in the af-
firmatiye, Miranda was all attention
With her own hands she tied a wet
bandage over bis head, and then made
him lie down on a couch in the parIor,
while she took seat by his side and
famed him.
He has since confessed that he don't
think he ever had more delicious head
ache in his life, and would have liked it
{ l. l. b.,