The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-04

The Fair Occupants of Ivy Glen and Their
-. .Unbidden Guesf.


ished? For a month? Really, ladies, In
very much afraid that haven't any prop
erty in my hands-not at present at least
that will meet your expectations. I've
plenty of unfinished houses. and plenty
to rent for year. But for month? There
isn't any such real estate in the market
there isn't indeed"
! "We don't want an unfurnished house =
said Angela Frost.
And We have no occasion to use a house
for a year." added Josephine, her tall
blooming young sister"
1--WE are school teachers" Miss Angela ex
planned, land We have just a months vaca
ton; and we want to spend it in healthful
country resort, where can botanize, and
where my sister can sketch in water color
| from nature"
| Indeed, I'm very sorry, ladies, but do
not think there is any property in the mar
ket thereabout that would meet your ideas. -
The ladies went slowly out of the stuffy
little room with Its high desk, its floor COW
cred with cheap oilOloth, and an atmosphere
| of tobacco smoke.
I'm sorry, Angel" said the younger.
1.-THE air of these pine-wooded glens is the
very thing for your asthma"
| And the little river in the deep gorge is
such an exquisite study for your paintings,
Jo,' said Angela Frost, fondly.
Couldn't we live in barn?" suggested
10, with comical arch of he eyebrows
I'm afraid not" said Angela
The real estate agent, in the meanwhile.
had hardly smoked pipe and read the local
paper before the door burst open and a
short, stout lady in pink hat and feathers
came in.
Mr. Muggeridge," said she, handing him
d key, you may let Ivy Glen or you may
sell it-ready furnished, with a COW, poui
try house and pony chaise thrown in''
ktNToI.,, M,,oo-.I.o
I'm tired OF it," said the lady
You couldn't let it for month ?" expert
mentally hazarded Mr.. Muggeridge.
I'D let it for three days." said the lady.
81 could find you tenants for a month, :"
said the agent.
There's the key"
And away she went; and Mr.. Muggeridge
clapped his hat On the back of his head and
set of, in hot haste, TO the hotel, for an in
terview with the two young ladies who had
so recently left his office.
And so it happened that 10 and Angel
Frost took triumphat possession of Ivy
Glen, a romantic cottage, half covered with
the dark green, glossy leaves of the vine
from which il derived its name, with
boudoir, piano, all the pictures garlanded
with pressed autumn leaves, and library of
novels.
Mrs. Fitch must have been a very liter
airy person" sand 10.
And musical. added Angel
AS for servant. one would only be
nuisance" 10.
"rll groom the pony myself" said Angel.
Hes no bigger than Newfoundland dog
the darling"
"And I'll milk the COW and feed the dear
little chickens" declared pretty 10.
Its really an earthly paradise" said the
elder sister
so il is" assented 10.
The sisters passed three days of unmiti-
gated happiness in the deep ravines and
cool, tiOwer-enameled woods that sur
rounded Ivy Glen.
Angela made various valuable additions
to her herbarium, and 10 sketched leafy
hooks, bits of falling water and sunset effects
to her hearts content, until finally good
old fashioned rain storm set in. OF July
afternoon and imprisoned them in the cot
tage parlor.
"How stupid this isr' said 10, starting up
from her book, as thefwilight shadows
brOoded darker and dbker in the room.
Lets go down to the barn and talk TO Dick
and Frizzle. Poor dears! They must be as
lonesome We are"
Dick was the pony and Frizzle was the
COW, and 10 and Angela were already upon
the most affectionate terms of intimacy with
them.
1t was quite dusk, when Marmaduke
ODcutu the nan QOOT ana
in, shaking the rain-drops from his
shoulders. as if he had been a huge New
soundland dog. and tlinging his fishingcreel
and tackle on the table.
"Lour he called. all over the house. in a
CHEEKY, stentorian voice-"Louisar'
But, as might be expected, no answer was
returned; and he went up to certain pretty
little circular-walled room, where he had
been wont tn keep his slippers, gun-case aud
md ~ nf her mn Scu no n nm ncae rvhap
sojourning with his sister, Mrs. Fitch, at Ivy
Glen.
"lts as quiet here" he muttered, under
his breath, las an enchanted castle. Where
is Lou? Where are the children
But he paused on the threshold. Even by
the waning twilight he could perceive that
a general transformation had taken place.
A pretty easel stood near the window, the
tall standards of the old-fashioned dressing
burea were knotted with blue ribbons, the
chairs were freshly draped with chintz, and
a fairy work-basket stood beside the Sofa
while upon the table lay q flower-twined
gypsy hat, a bunch of wild flowers and a
pair of the tiniest gauntlet gloves that Mr..
birmingham had ever set eyes upon.
"Hellol" said Marmaduke: "Lou's got
girl company. And she's put 'em in here,
by Jove"
He struck match, lighted the prettily
painted candles in the brass sconces, and
stared blankly around him. At the same
moment clear, hute-like voice sounded
below stairs
Come in, Angel, quick! Goodness, how
the rain drives in at the door, What's
this in the ball? A-man's coat!"
Burglars" shrieked Miss Angela, who
was not as strong minded in practice as she
was in theory.
"And there's light up stairs" cried 10.
Preserve us" said Angela, beginning to
trenlble; 1.-THE house is on fire. 10, 10, don't
stir step. insist that you shall not go up
stairs"
But Miss Josephine deity evaded her sis
ter's grasp and rushed directly up To- the
little apartment which she had conhscated
to her own use
"Who are you, sir?' she sternly demand
ed, a., standing III the doorway, her gaze fell
upon Mr.. Marmaduke birmingham.
IL beg your pardon" began that gentle
man.
Leave the housew said 10.
"Jo, 10, don't" pleaded Angela, who had
crept up in her sisters shadow and was now
tugging at her dress. Perhaps he's got a
band of accomplices outside-perhaps he is
a crazy man"
Ladies'" said Mr.. birmingham. elf you
will only permit me TO explain"
Nothing can explain an intrusion like
thisl" declared Josephine.
| my sister, Mrs. Fitch, the occupant of
| this house"
1--WE are the occupants Of this house. in
exorably interposed Miss Frost Mrs. Fitch
| left the premises three days ago"