The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1880-12-21
THE OLD LOVE.

to bis servant.
"A Mr.. Ernest Simpson. and his
wife and mother. He is just married,
I believe" was the reply.
"Strange," he muttered, that [
should come home to find them here,
of all places in the world. l knew
this morning that that young fellow
must be 10 some wav connected with
Ernest Simpson. The likeness lie un-
mistakable. There comes a woman
now. I wonder if it can he his moth
err"
A large woman, with fresh-cUior-
ed face and with bundle on her a.nl.
entered the gate and hurried up the
walk with the air of one very much at
home.
"Yes, ii must be she; VT who
could have believed that Sophia Mar
tvu would have become such a blow
~ creature? Twenty-Five years work
great changes.
The fact was, it was Mrs Simpsons
dress-maker but how Was Mr.. Tar
tuffe to know that? For ave years he
had been travelling after fashion of
his own.
Five years had wrought great
changes. OF lis old friends and as
sociatee some were dead, Others moved
away, aud the rest were so immersed
in business, 60 interested in their own
particular pursuits, thar they lad it,
tie time or thought to spare for Vim.
It's like coming back from the
dead TO find ones place filed and
ones self forgotten" he said. sadly.
And now to all the rest was adied
the uuwelcome discovery that the
wife and son of Ernest Simpson. the
man who mad done him cruel wrong
and marred his life, were living next
door to him. Some time he stood ut
the window. drumming softly upon
the pane and looking idly out: sud-
denly his face lighted up.
THAT'S an idea; I'll do it. For
syth will jump at the chance, I've no
doubt"
Whatever the idea was. he imn.e.
distely proceeded to put it into execu-
tion. A few minutes later he left
the house aud took his way down
town.
"Why, good morning, Tartufs.
Glad to see YOU; sit down: I'll be at
leisure in few minutes
When the busy lawyer was at last able
to paw some attention to his visitor,
Mr.. Tartuffs began without pre;imi,
oarv: Forsyth, have been thinking
over what you said yesterday. aud
have q proposition to make. Suppose
We make an exchange"
make an exchanged" repeated the
puzzled lawyer.
"Yes; you can take my house and
I take yours, for a year. Your fam.
ily are DESTROYS of coming TO town.
and [ want to leave it. Take the
houses a. they stand. 1t will save
the bother of nv moving"
"Well." unused Mr. Forsyth. .'that's
an idea. certainly, and it strikes me
fsvorsbly. but | must consult my vile
FIRST, of course. Why do YOU wish to
leave town. though you've just yet
here. Your wandering life has spoil
ed you. You ought to get married,
and settle down quietly"
"Get married" repeated the other
with an expression Of scorn; what
woman would have an old man like
me, except for his money!"
"Old man, indeed. exclaim d Fr-
syth; "why. you're just in the prime
Of life, and there isn't a young man in
the city who can boast more spicudid
physique. Besides, you need not
marry a school girl, you kro~. |
know Just the woman for you, about
your own age, widow with one son. "
The idea of my marrying Wild
owl" ejaculated Mr.. Tartuas in 81.
lent wrath as he took bis way home
ward.
As he ascended the steps the red
faced dressmaker seated by the WIN
dow in Mrs. Simpsons room exclaim-
ed: There goes Mr.. Tartuffs!
"What did you say his name was:"
said Mrs. Simpson, rather eagerly.
"Simon Tartuffs. He's a rich old
bach. You had better set your cap
at him. But I'm afraid 'twoalin't do
no good, for they say hes womau-
hater."
Mrs. Simpson made no reply. but
resumed her work with a thoughtful
face.
Smother. here is q letter for YOU"
said Ernest wife. entering the room.
Mrs. Simpson read the few lines it
contained, and then said: Aunt
Elizabeth is i'll; an attack similar TO
the one she had three years ago. and
she wants me to come and stay with
her,"
ooh, dear, how sorry ami" ex-
claimed Jennie. l do not know what
we shall do without you"
One afternoon, . fortnight later,
Mr.. Tartuffe alighted from the train
It Brierdale station, and. without
took his way up the village
street to his new home.
For the next few days he fairly
lived out of doors. exploring tho r"un.
Try for miles round, walking, driving,
ishing and boating. One afternoon.
oward sunset. as he lay stretched at
'ull length under q tree at the brink
# the river, the sound Of oars attract
d his attention, and looking up ne |
aw a small boat coming rapidly to-
yard him. 1t was propelled by two
aides, one of them evidently a Young |
.irl yet 10 her teens; the other, q |
developed and still very
handsome woman.
There comes Bob 10 his wherrv.
ousin Lizzie; let's have = race 7"
vcls;mod rho vounCor of tho two /