The Osceola times., 1880-12-04
A WILL OF HER OWN.
pY CHARLES STOKES WAYNE.

tcrlng tue Duil liRnteu parioI twenty
minutes before dinner time, and finding
her brotherin in.law sitting alone in the
semi.darkness. Il didn't know you
were home from the store"
Mr.. Algcrnon Johnson looks up rather
guilty, and stammers out that he is not
feeling quite up TO the mark"
"Wbst is the matter?" inquiries the
lady, solicitously, yet with vague sus-
picion that his excuse is ruse, and that
he has purpose in coming home early
and waiting in the parlor at this partic-
ular time. Il hope you are not really
ILL.,"
"Oh, nothing serious" returns he; "a
slight headache, that's all. l have had
rather busy time over the books" (he
is bookkeeper), "and am feeling the
effects of ii. II l have 20 minutes
qniet, perhaps may feel better"
"Nonsense" laughing. Excuse me
saying so, Algy, but l think your flirta-
ton with the widow is affecting you
much more tnan your struggles with the
books. 1t is really disgraceful, Mr..
johnson, the way in which you are car.
rying on with that young woman. II
must have been after IL o'clock before
you left the parlor last night; and the
whole house is talking about it,"
The young man looks up again. This
time his face wears an expression Of an
noyance.
People in a boarding. house always
will talk" he says. II am sure can see
no harm in conversing with Mrs. Love-
lace; she is certainly very agreeable
lady"
''Shc is, Algy,' answers his sister.in.
law, "verv agreeable; and that is just
the reason you ought to be careful. She
is certainly lady; but my opinion is
she is coquette, and its dangerous to
play with fire, you know"
"Mrs. johnson, thank You very much
for your warning, but / must say it is
uncalled for. ! am quite able to take
care of myself"
"Oh, dear me! / didn't know it had
gone that Tar, or / should not have interfer-
red. 1t must be something really SER
ious. with you at least. Aigy, my dear
brother, will leave you to paddle your
own canoe;" with which slang phase
Mrs. johnson whisks out of the room as
suddenly rs she whisked into it, leaving
Mr.. Algernon to solitudes and to head
aches.
"Cenfound the thingw he mutters.
"Why can't every one tend to his own
business, and not be continually worry
ing about some one else's. Elsie is gener.
ally very good; but she is certainly talk
ing too much interest in this affair, and
its time gave her setting down. What
if do talk to Mrs. Loveiace more than
to the old-maid boarders who abound
here. What if did take Mrs. Lovelace
to church last sunday evening! And
what il Mrs. Lovelace and did sit to-
eether in the parlor last night for an
hour after the other boarders had gon :
to their roems! am sure its nooodv's
business. Mrs. Lovelace is pretty, she
is intelligent, she Is charming. Mrs.
Loyelace has certainly done her duty in
that respect. l can hardly think of her
as 1 widow, she is so young, so bright,
so Jolly. hope and pray she is not out
to dinner. Coniound IL! WHY didn't
think to ask her last night! If don't
see her now before dinner I'll have no
opportunit., for / must go to the lodge
to. night, and she's never up when leave
in the morning; and after tomorrow
there won't be any seats worth having
for this week."
There is a sound of rustling skirts on
the stairway, and Mr.. Johnsons reverie
comes to a sudden close. The next mo-
msnt
"A lovely lady, garmented In light
From her own beauty"
comes into The room. johnson is on his
feet in an instant.
Good evening, Mrs. Lovelace," he
saws, smiling very blandlv, and pushing
forward an armchair; "have this seat
won't you? You'll find it very comfort
able"
"Thanks, Mr.. johnson. You are very
kind"
1t is a deliciously sweet and cleal
voice, and it causes Mr., Johnson's hear
to beat more quickly, as he fancies there
| is a tender cadence in it for him that j
contains for no other. He is fatterin!
| himself that Mrs. Loyelace, If not exactl,
| in love with him, admires his handsom,
| face (he considers it handsome; IL
reality, his features lack refinement; they
are broad and coarse,) his well proper
toned figure he considers 1t well proper
| toned; an anatomist would say hi,
limbs are short for his thick.set body
and that his whole appearance is clumsy
and his gentlemanly manner and witty
conversation (he thinks himself gen
tleman and witty; though, in fact. hii
manners lack polish, and his converse
| is not remarkable for brilliancy.)
Mrs. Lovelace seats herself in the
proifered chair and bestows on tn,
Young man one OF her sweetest smiles.
"Isn't ii rather dark here?' she asks. 81
l. 4 ,l... D.
use much gas; but ! can't abide this dull
light: it gives me the blues. Won't you
kindly turn it up Mr., Johnson?'
with pleasure" replies Algernon
stretching hls short limbs 10 their utmost
in his endeavor to reach the chande-
lier.
at is rather high for you, isn't it?'
saws Mrs. Lovelace.
Mr.. johnson cannot bear his heigh,
even hinted at disparLgingly, and, max
ing final effort, he stands on the yer
tips of his toes aud turning the key the
pas Jets blaze forth brilliantly.
The light shows Mrs. Lovelacc to be
n fair lady Of medium size, with soft
pink and white complexion, large laugh.
ing blue eyes, nose just the least bii
rdrousse, a small kissable mouth, and
with dmple in her chubby chin. She
Is certainly not over %; she may be only
Is.
"Well done! Well done!' she ex.
claims, clapping her small white hands,
"Mr. Johnson, you deserve credit"
thank you" Mr.. johnson says,
bowing and smiling, though in his heart
he feels rather ANNOYED at the applause.
Il can't see, Mrs. Lovelace, why chande-
l1.r.. ohnnlI La rlnnnd 90 hinh. cnn