The Osceola times., 1880-12-04


son. have a will, can assure you;
] am proud of IT,"
Il hope you are not strong-minded."
| "Only on this point"
The timepiece on the mantle indicates
twenty minutes after six; and at half.
past promptly the dinner-bell will send
its summons pealing through the house.
| Mrs Loyelace." says Mr.. johnson,
having come 10 the conclusion that it is
about time TO broach the subject for
which he devised this meeting, have
you heard Gerster YETI"
| "Oh dear no." returns, she, gaylv. al
have not; and, to tell the truth, Pm rather
ashamed to say l haven't. Eye.y one
asks me that now; and have lust made
| up my mind that will hear her, told
you had a will OF my own"
| IL shall be very happy" twisting his
bead on one side and assuming what lie
thinks to be seductive smile, "to ac.
company you at any time.'
Thank you, Mr.. Johnson; you are
very kind"
Would Friday evening be convent.
ent?" asks he.
81 can think of nothing at present that
will prevent me going; but" she contin.
ues, while
Smiles
| Such as hang on lIebes cheek.
And loves to live IN dimplcs sleek"
overspread her fair face. something
may occur, and then shall be unable to
60. will accept your 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.
III Will be such pleasure to have
your company that have no objections
to accepting the conditions" he saws.
The little uncertainty will make the
enjoyment OF your society Should moth
ing occur and l trust there will not) all
the greater" and having delivered him.
sell OF this roundabout, vague sentence,
which he considers very gallant, he
gives his head a 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, DER and DER, with vast delight"
There is the souud OF key in the
front door, and the next moment two
gentlemen boarders coming into the
parlors break up the tcte-a-tete.
~ y
On the morning following, Mr.. John.
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 be will have beefsteak
or fried fish.
"Steak, il 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, "and You did not re-
tire until late, either"
Mr.. johnson looks at the row of
chairs on either side of the table, which.
draped with a snowy cloth, extends the
entire length Of the long dreary dining.
room.
Il am number one to-day, am II" he
says, as he lays his paper down beside
his plate and helps himself to hot roll.
"We're rather busy at the store at
present, and it Is necessary that start
early"
"I'm afraid Mrs. Lovelace came at a
Sleep"
Aigernon wishes Mrs. Jenkins would
not trouble herself about him; but as
she mentioned Mrs. Lovelace, he deter.
mines to find out what she knows about
| her.
'Oh! no." he continues, "her being
here makes no difference whatever; l
! scarcely ever go to bed before l2
| .S. H., kn h,, NJ. .,
Mrs. Lovelace rather young widow2"
"Idon't know. She may be older than
she looks"
II sometimes have my doubts whether
it l. Mrs. or Miss"
"You need not have. l can tell you
she had a husband when / last met
her"
"She had2" with some curiosity.
kins?"
"Yes; / WAS slightly acquainted with
him." and the landady's face shows
evidences of suppressed mirth.
Would you hind telling me what he
was like?"
"He was rather handsome, l believe;
dark-yes, now recollect, he was quite
dark"
| All Ola mdnl
"No, not at all old. Probably three or
four years older than his wife; certainly
not more"
"Ah Do you know any thing about
bis death?-how it occurred, and how
long ago."
II know nothing OF that?" replies
Mrs. Jenkins, and then adds. rather
sharply, so sharply that Mr.. Johnson
blusnes crimsonly: You seem very
much interested. | hope. Mr.. johnson,
you are not thinking Of taking his
place."
Algcrnon laughs lightly.
"Not very seriously, Mrs. Jenkins"
he says, and then the subject drops.
~ 4
Three weeks have been given to the
past since Algernon Johns IN first met
Mrs. Lovelace.
In those q days the gentleman has
not been idle. From the evening on
which he received the introduction up to
the present he has been using his best
endeavors to win the lady's affections,
He has taken her to the opera, to the
theater, to concerts, and to church; he
has spent his hard-earned money lavish.
ingly, and has the satisfaction of hearing
her say she is very agreeably entertain
ed; but that is all. Never yet has he
been able to Get from her one word that
he could consruc into meaning that she
had the least affection. Nevertheless, he
attributes this TO shynes, though he
must admit to himself the widow does