The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-16

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 "Mr. Johnson" she says, smiling her sweetest, ''let me present to you my husband, who has just returned from England. Perhaps you will better un- derstand my words of few moments ago, better understand what vas telling you for weeks, when l say that MT. Lovlace's name is William, and that l consider him Will of my own.
 
 The next morning there was gentle knock at Mir. Johnson's bedroom door. He has just given the finishing touches to his hair preparatory to descending to look for Mrs. Jenkins. and to inform her that he has decided to change his place of abode. He is rather surprised that any one should wish to See him thus early, and hastily pulling on his ccat he proceeded to open the door. It IS his sister.in. law, who with face enshrouded in sympathy, trips quietly in, and seats herself on one side of the tumbled bed.
 ''I've sneaked up here to have chat with you before you go to breakfast" she says, in low tone"
 But Pm not going to breakfast" an swers he, standing with his hands in his pockets and looking very determined. "Iwouldn't go into that dining room again for any amount of money. After the fool I''--
 There, there,', interrupts the lady, "don't say word. l know all about it."
 "You do? Yes, of course; knew you would. Everybody has heard it by this time. l won't stay in the house min ute longer than can help. l don't care to be the laughing stock of fifteen beard CTS. Yes, Elsie, Pm Of immediately"
 Don't talk so loudly; you'll waken the folks in the next room, and don't wish to have any one know I'm paying you such an early visit"
 AlgeYnon lowers his voice.
 "Well," he says, beginning to walk up and down the room "what is the chat to be about?"
 q want to tell you,' replies Mrs, Johnson, "all about this little hoax. To begin with. you remember warned you of this widow, as we thought she was, but you wouldn't heed my warming"
 Don't throw that up to me. It's bad enough without it. l admit 1 have teen fool"
 "All right, then, Algy. 1 won't men, ton the warning; but last night Mrs. Jenkias came to me and told me all about it. I don't know how it happened, but took Mrs. Lovelace to be a widow when she first came here-I suppose it was because she wears mourning-and l told you she was such. Somehow Mrs Jenkins heard 1t, and she told Mrs. Lovelace that we understood her to he a widow and so she thought it a capital idea to pretend to be one. SAe is young, you know, and lively, and she thought it fine fuu."
 1t was no fun for me- puts in the young man.
 "You might have guessed she was only flirting. Any one with half an eye could have seen that.
 But l hadn't even quarter of an eye. I was in love; and you know love is blind.
 Poor fellowl"
 Don't flake fun of me-" exclaims he, stopping in his walk. "E!sie, you don't know how bad feel over this"
 'I'm sure you must feel awfully. IL puts you Tn a terribly awkward position, but then, Algy, you are not as bad of as you might be, for she has promised faithfully not to mention it to a soul and Mrs Jenkins has done the same Mir. Lovelace knows nothing at all about 1t. l hear he was rather surprised at your confused manner when he was in. troduced to you, and at your hurry to get out of the room; but really he docs not know of the irritation, and you may rest assured hls wife will not tell him, for they say he is exceedingly jealous, He is Mrs. Jenkirs's nephew, and has been abroad for several months, some. thing about the estate of an uncle's who died some time ago, and for whom Mrs. Lovelace is in mourning. He returns. l hear, with quite legacy. Mrs. Lovelace has been looking for him for three weeks, ever since she came here. Yes terday she received letter, saying by what steamer he was coming, and find Ing the steamer was due, she left in structions at the telegraph office to no tiiy her of it's arrival. She got the tele- gram just alter dinner, saying it had passed quarantine, and 50 she was In the parlor awaiting the appearance of her lord when you made your proposal Now you know all about it. Surely you will not thlnk of going away. You can't afford to leave such good boarding house on this account"
 ''No money would pay me to stay" he said, resolutely, taking up his overcoaI and putting it on. q am bent on going Elsie. In this case, have will of my own."
 An hour later and MT. Johnson has gone.
 Ms. Jenkins has lost boarder.--- Pofter's Monthly Magazine