The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-02-26
Miss Blanche laid hold Of the door

Miss Blanche laid hold Of the door
handle of Mr.. Siverton's room at this
moment, and gave it an energetic shake
"Is this door locked % demanded
she, sharply. Why won't it open p
"Oh, please, don't" fal,ered Eliza
Ann, it's one of our boardcrs, a very
particular gentleman. and I'll tell you
all about the room, only he won't let
any body in"
"a pretty idea," said Blanche Beames.
| mW get in"
but please, you mustn't Blanche,
DEAR pleaded poor Eliza Ann. Hes
such a nice gentleman, | wouldn't Of
fend him for the world"
Perhaps he don't know said Miss
Beames. purrosely elevating her voice,
THAT we nre looking with the intention
of buying"
Yes" added Aunt Sophie, her own
voice rising a note or two higher, "my
neice is to be married 10 an old man as
rich as CIesus, and We want a stylish
house for the ceremony 1t don't mat
ter what we pay, for he'll settle the
bills afterwards; Blanche is very fortu-
nate, | assure you, Miss NIellick."
"And the best of it, added Blanche,
with e laugh, sis that he is so old, it
won't be very long before he leaves me
rich young widow"
ooh, Blanche !" cried ont the horri-
fed Eliza Ann, how can you talk so,
when"
Just at that moment The door Of The
big second story room swung open, and
Mr.. Sempronius Siverton, in the red
and maroon dressing-robc, aud tie dogs
head slippers, stood bowling in the por>
tai, with u red flush upon his temples,
and peculiar, mocking smile playing
around his lips.
"Wa!k in, ladies, walk in" said he.
"You are W, lcome 10 look at this room.
don't allow it to be shown in general,
but you shall be an exception TO the
rule. Pray make no stranger of me"
"Mr. Sivcr.on," stammcrcd Aunt
Sophie, with spasmodic attempt at
suilc.
"Semprcnius! :" faltered Blanche.
"But you were mistaken about two
little things" remorselessIy went on the
old gentleman. Il shan't settle any
little bills Of your contracting-neither
do intend to leave Blanche there a
rich widow. To be my widow, ii is
first nccessa'y to be my wife. uy dear.
and I've changed my mind IA toto on
that subject"
And with flourish, Mr.. Siverton
shut the duor, and rctreated once more
into privacy.
Mrs. Peck and her niece, Miss Beamcs,
stared at each other like two galvanized
females.
Its all your fault, Blanche" SAID
Mrs. Peck. bursting into tears.
"You began it first, aunt y shrieked
Blanche. with all the premonitory symp-
toms of Mysteries; while poor Eliza Ann
ran to and fro, for camphor, sal-vo'atile
and burnt feathers, scarce knowing what
to think or believe.
But when the peaceful twilight shad
ows settled over the chimney tops. all
was restored to quiet again, and Mr..
Sivcricn medi atcd deeply.
"I'm well olt of that scrap"," said he
to himself "it's good thing found
Miss Blanche oa. in time to spoil that
piece of fun about the young widow!
But there's the wedding suit ord red,
and the W. dding ring, and Id made up
my mind to marry someboCly. Is that
you, Eliza Ann p
"Ycs, sir" meekly responded thrt
faded young person. I've brought your
cruel, sir"
Upon my word, Eliza Ann" said
Mr.. Siverton, you've learned to make
cruel exceedingly well; and you're a
good girl, Eliza Ann. Dia you ever
think Of being married ?"
"D,ar me, sir, what a strange ques-
tion !" said Eliza Ann.
1--WE mind to marry you myself,
Eliza Ann" said the old bachelor, abb
ruptly.
oh, sir, l amt half good enough"
said the lowly minded Eliza Ann.
YES, you arc..' said Mr.. Sivertcn.
Come here aud Kiss me, my dear. AZ
ter all, you are very pretty when you
blush like that
Aud so Eliza Ann Mellick married
the rich old bachelor after all, and Miss
Blanche still remains Miss Blanche.
Necromancers Of Old.
The raising oil ghosts was tavorite