The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-16

| | you?"
 'soh yes, can,n Mrs. Lovelace returns with merry twinkle in her eyes; "it is so tall men will not strike their heads against them.p "How consideratep' taking seat.
 "I'm teasing you now, am not?" She goes on. aWell, can't help it, Mir. Johnson. must tease. But really do admire tall men,"
 "But tall mem" begins Al2ernon.
 There now," she interrupts, Il will hear nothing against them. I like tall men. l will ot be persuaded not to like them. l have will of my own, you know"
 "A will of your own,". repeats the young man, T am glad you told me. Indeed should never have known it. You do not appear at all selt-willed. am afraid you do yourself an injustice, Mrs. Love1ace." You do not know me yet MT. John son. l have will, can assure you; am proud of it." "l hope you are not strong-mindedn "Only on this point" | The tlmepiece on the mantle indicates twenty minutes alter six; and at half past promptly the dinner bell will send its summons pealing through the house. Mrs Lovelace.n says Mir. Johnson, having come to the conclusion tlrat it is about time to broach the subject for | which he devised this meeting, have you heard Gerster yeti" "Oh dear no,D returns, she, gayly, q have not; and, to tell the truth, Pm rather ashamed to say l haven't Eve.y one asks me that now; and 1 have just made | up my mind that I will hear her. told you had will of my own" T shall be very happy.n twisting his head on one side and assuming what he thinks to be seductive smile, "to &C., company you at any time" Thank you, Mr. Johnson; you are very kind" Would Friday evening be convent I emf" asks he. Il can think of nothing at present that will prevent me going but," she contin- l ues, while
 "smilcs Such as hang on Hcbe'a check And loves to live III dimples sleek.r overspread her fair face, sssomething may occur, and then 1 shall be unable to | go. will accept yonr invitation on the condition that you will allow me the | privilege of taking a notion to stay at home at the last minute. You must re-
 member my will" Algernon's heart is glad. He willingly acceps the terms. Tt will be such pleasure to have your company that I have no objections | to accepting the ooaditions,n he says. | The little uncertainty will make the enjoyment of your society (should noth- ing occur and trust there will not) all the greater" and having delivered him self of this roundabout, vague sentence, which he considers very gulalt, he eives his head final shake, exhibits his | uneven teeth for the twentieth time in the last 10 minutes and sits gazing at the lovely widow, his eyes seeming to
 "Devour her. OCT and oer, with vast delight.u There is the souud of key in the | front door, and the next moment two gentlemen boarders coming into the Darlors break up the tete-a-tete. " x On the morning following, Mir. Jobn- son happens to be the first at the break | fast table. He is seated near Mrs. Jen- | kins, who, in all the glory of black al- paca dress and gray finger puffs, is ask | ing him whether he will have beefsteak or fried fish. "Steak, if you please" he answers, glancing at the headings of the leading articles in the morning paper which he holds before him. | You are down early this morning, | Mr. Johnson" says the landlady, hand ing him his plate, land you did not re- tire until late. either" Mir. Johnson looks at the row of l chairs on either side of the table, which, | draped with snowy cloth, extends the entire length of the long dreary dining room.
 T am number one to-day, am IF" he says, as he lays his paper down beside l his plate and helps himself to hot roll. Were rather busy at the store at present, and it is necessary that start | carly"
 'I'm afraid Mrs. Loyelace came at a bad time then; you don't get much sleep"
 Aigernon wishes Mrs. Jenkins would not trouble herself about him; but as | she mentioned Mrs. Lovelace, be deter mines to find out what she knows about her.
 "Oh! no,r he continues, "her being | here makes no difference whatever; scarcely ever go to bed before 12 o'clock. By the by, Mrs. Jenkins, isn't Mrs. Loyelace rather young widow?" "Idont know. She may be older than she looks"
 q sometimes have my doubts whether 1 it i5 Mrs or Miss" "You need not have. can tell you she had a husband when last met her"
 "She had?' with some curiosity. Did you kno~ her husband, Mrs, Jen- kins?"
 "Yes; I was slightly acquainted with him." and the landlady's face shows evidences of suppressed mirth.
 "Would you mind telling me what he was like?"
 "He was rather handsome, believe; daik-yes, now l recollect, he was quite dark"
 "An old man?"
 "No, not at all.old. Probably three or four years older than his wiie; certainly not more."
 "Ahl Do you know any thing about his death?-how it occurred, and how long ago?"
 II know nothing of that2" replies Mrs. Jenkins, and then adds. rather sharply, so sharply that Mir. Johnson blusnes crimsonly: You seem very much interested. 1 hope. MT. Johnson, you are not thinking Of taking his | place."
 Algernon laughs lightly.
 Not very seriously, Mrs. Jenkins," T.. n ( Ia n.