Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-09-06
= gleasant Story.
AN OLD MANS DARLING.

dolly Hubbard married to old Mr..
Ponsonbyl' echoed Mrs. Stapyltou.-
"Well, if that isn't perfectly ridiculous /"
"But why is it ridiculous p said
Major FITZGERALD, taking pinch of rose
scented rape, after philosophical
fashion.
"Ponsonby is seventy, and Dolly
can't be seventeen !" argued Mrs. Staryl-
| ton.
"Well, what then ?" said the Major.
"Love doesn't always 60 by the calcn-
dar. and Ponsonby is certainly fine
looking fellow"
"She has just married him for his
money" said Mrs. Stapylton. That's
ALL"
"Then," said Major FITZGERALD, laugh
ing, II wish l had twenty thousand
pounds if it would enable me 10 pur-
chase such lovely little human rose
Y bud as Dorothy Hubbard"
ITS neither more nor less than barter
and SALE said Mrs. Stapylton, indig
nantly. "Pve no patience with such
state of things
And Major FITZGERALD. who knew yer,
we'll that Mrs. Stapylton had thrc'
daughters in the matrimonial market, OF
the qui vive for rich husbands, remarked
dryly that it was very sad indeed, an(
took second pinch.
1t was as Mrs. Stapylton had in
ferred-Dolly Hubbard was the penni
less daughter of half-pay officer
beautiful, gazelle-eycd young creature,
with slender, high-bred throat, lips like
wet coral, and soft, low voice.
And when Lieutenant Hubbard died,
Dolly contemplating the propriety Of
either going out as governess or seek
ing situation as shop-girl to support
herself, when Mr.. Ponsonby asked her
to be his wife.
"I-Pm afraid I'm not in love with
you" said Dolly. piteously.
81 don't expect that, my dear" said
the old gentleman, kindly.
"But don't know what else to do"
added frank Dolly, "and I'll try to be
a good wife to you, sir, if you are will
ing to marry anyone SO young and mex
perienced as am"
"I'll risk it," said Mr.. Ponsonby,
smiling.
He took Dolly out of her. shabby back
parlor in Mrs. Henwood's boarding
house, and installed her as mistress OF
his brown stone palace on Castleton
Square.
The little girl who had always hest
tated long before she venturcd to lay out
a sixpence found herself all at once,
mistress of a satin-lined clarence and u
pair of high-stcpping bays, while one
turned and returned black silk was alb
dicated in favor Of a whole wardrobe
ordered direct from Paris.
ooh, Mr.. Ponsonby, you are too
kind" said little Dolly, earnestly.
my dear" said the old gentleman,
81 am sufficiently rewarded il you are
pleased. But don't you think you could
call me Charles 2"
ut sounds too familiar" hesitatcd
shrinking Dolly.
"Well, it will all come 10 time" said
Mr.. Ponsonby, gently.
And if ever there was an "old mans
darling" Dolly Ponsonby was one.
Excuse me, Ponsonby," said Trap
per, a misautbropic old bachelor, who
had viewed his friends policy with won
der and contempt, "but you are an
IDIOT"
81 dare say" said Ponsonby. "We're
all moro or less addicted that way,
Trappcr. Foxlcy keeps yacht. You
buy expensive black letter editions Of the
poets. prefer young wife !"
eyes" said Trapper. with vindic-
tive sDarl "but Foxlcy's yacht lies at
anchor where she moorcd my book
cases don't change. While your young
wife, my friend -"
what Of her !" sternly demanded
Ponsonby.
"Sbe may clope any day with some Of
the young idiots who are scorcbing their
silly, moth-likc wings in the flames Of
her beauty" hinted the old Diogenes.
II like her 10 enjoy herself ia young
society,"" said Ponsonby, with an indul-
gent smile.
Precisely" said Trappcr. "And chat
is the reason said you we're an IDIOT
Look hero, PonsoSby, W. are old friends,