Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-11-24
A BOARDING-HOUSE ROMANCE.

We have had romance in our
clearinghouse. Charley and | are
fond of hem, and scent them out, |
may say, long before the matter of-fact
people think of such thing. You
see, we had one of our own-comical,
tragical, wonderful, but resulting hap
PLY. For, here we are, middle-aged
folks, n the first heyday of love and
It's sweetness, and likely to linger here
since we starved so long for each
other we can never quite make up for
the lost days 1t gives us a tender and
wondering interest in lovers. We have
not shadow of reason for doubling
their trust and their trials, since we
must measure them by our own stand
ard.
We have been married five years and
do not "keep house." Charles bust
ness lakes him from place to place, and
as VIC are happy only when together,
am content to live an Arab life with
him. indeed, like it for itself.
In those long years, when he seemed
lost to me, had to take up the lives
Of Others, and | have formed the habit
of always looking about me for some
sorrow or some JOY that can share or
bless.
Every place where there is human
being has an interest for me, and soon
becomes home. The only drawback
is the breaking up each time. and the
leaving those whose heart life has
touched mine. But at this rate / will
never get to my story.
We came here last December. Such
time as we had that dreary day,
climbing dirty steps, and waiting at
tardy doors or in dingy parlors We
have come to know the aspect of good
boarding house pretty well, and it
seemed we were not to find one in all
Philadelphia.
But late in the afternoon we were
shown into the large yet cozy parlor of
this old fashioned house, and knew,
as soon as | looked at Charles face,
that we were suited. We have never
regretted our acceptance Of the situa-
ton We took possession of our
"third.story front" that very hour, and
followed Mrs. Jaryey to the tea-table as
though we belonged there.
There is good-sized family of us.
The Betons, the Burtons and the
Browns come down froia some r4s-
terious regions above us-very nice
young couples, the three, just begin
ming the world. The Aliens have the
second story and the only children in
the house. The back corridor turns
out some five or six young clerks, an
artist, n newspaper man, and an old
bachelor who lives on his means.
The third story back-next to our
rooms now empty. 1t is the nest
from which the romance has just tax
en- flight with its moving cause-Miss
Atheling. 1t was empty when We
came, and for week later; then |
heard signs of occupation.
Mrs. Jarvey is one of the people
every one takes interest in, and who
claims that interest. She came into
see me that morning, with her round
still-girlish- at-sixtY, face all aglow and
smiling placidly.
II declare / am lucky woman"
she said. "Do you hear that, Mrs.
Smith have let the room for good
price to Miss Atheling-the rich Miss
Atheiing, who has been at 1916, you
know She's very pretty, really You
like pretty girls, don't you? I've no.
ticed it"
~ think you notice every thing
Mrs. Jarvey," l said, laughing-for she
does-"but you are quite right. | do
like pretty girls, and handsome men,
and everything beautiful, or grand, or
noble-looking. Like them too much,
fear"
''Then you must have noticed young
Welleston," said Mrs. Jarvey. "H9
sits at the far end of the table from
you, but he is handsome and grand and
noble-looking, all three-and awfully
shabby-looking, poor fellow"
Now, Charlie and / had noticed him
at our first breakfast, and had often
spoken of him since. He was not al
ways, nor indeed, usually, present at
meas and when he was, sat silent and
preoccupied, as though working away
mentally at the problem of his future.
he was strikingly shabby, and, rarest,
OF all things, handsome and grand
enough to shine it down. When he
rose to leave the room, as ne al
ways did before others, Charlie said
he withdrew with the air of king a
little wearied from the restraints of
court etiquette, not AS a hve-dollar
clerk hurrying to his desk. | was not
little pleased that Mrs. Jarvey men
toned him, for was drawn to him in
way was sure meant he had trouble
we might Tighten. The dear old lady
wandered on in her simple. pretty,
kindly way until l knew all she did Of
his past. present and future. was