Richland beacon., 1881-05-21

already upon the most afrifeonatc terms
of intimacy with tlI"m
It was quite dusk. when Marmalukc
Framingham opened the JRll-door and
o'rodr in. shaking the rain-drops from
his shoulders aS If he had been huge
Newfoundland dog. and ilm"ing his fish
ing-crccl and tackle on the table.
lou" he called. all over the house.
in a rhccrv, stcntprian -'L"uisa"
But. a.i might be expected. no answer
WAS returned: AMI lac went M to a Ger.
tain pretty little circular walled room,
where he hal been wont To- keep his slip
pcrs, G,ln-raSc. and sundrv other mas
culIuc appurtcnanccS. when solourninG
with his sister. Mrs. Fitch. at Ivy Glen.
Its as quiet here, he muttcrcd, I'M
der his breath. ''as an enchanted castle.
Where is Lou?- where are the chillrcn?"
But he paused on the threshold. Even
hy the waning twilight. he could per-
ccivc that a general transformation had
taken place.
\ pretty easel stood near the window.
the tall standards Of the old fashioned
,lrtsSing- bureau were knottcd with blue
ribbons. the chairs were freshly drapCd
with chintz. and fairy work basket
stood beside the sofa. while upon the
table lay howcr-twincd gipsy-hat. a
bunch of wild-i'owcr~. and pair of tho
tinicst gamtlct-glovcs that Mr.. Framing
ham had ever set eyes upon.
"Hcllo," said Marmadukc; "I.ou's got
rl-comrany. And she's put EN- in
here. hv Iovc''
ric struck a match, lighted the prcttilv
painted candles in the brass sconccs, and
stared hlanklv around him. At the same
moment. a clear, fiutclike voice sounded
below stars.
Come in. Angel. quick, Goodness.
how the rain drives i'll al the door.
WHAT'S this in the hall? A-man $ coat
'Burglar>," shriekcd Miss Angela
who was not strong minded in practice
n she WAS i'll theory.
And there's a light up stairs"
cried 10.
" Preserve us"' said Angela, beginning
t. tremhlc: 1.-THE house is on fire, 10.
Jo, don't stir step. insist that you
shall not go up stairs,
Bat Miss Josephine 1eftly evadcd her
sisters grasp, and rushed directly up to
tn" little apartment which she had CON
fi>tiratcd To her own use
"Who are yOu, sir" she stcrnly de-
mandcd, rs StanGii Z - :hc dtsevay, her
gaze fell upon Mr.. Marmadukc Fran
inGham.
IL beg your pardon" began that
gentleman.
Leave the house." said 10. in the
imperial accents of Queen Elizabeth con-
L. t,r -, =.
"Jo, Jo. dont?' pleaded Angela. who
had crcpt mp IN her sisters shadow, and
was now tugging at her dress. Per
hap, he's got Il band of accompliccs out
sidc-pcrhaps he's a crazy man
Ladies' said Mr.. Framingham, eli
You will only permit me to explain
" Nothing can explain an intrusion
ike this" declared Josephine.
My sister, Mrs. Fitch, the occupant
of this house
" "" are the occupants of this house,
incxorably intcrposcd Miss Frost. Mrs.
Fitch has left the premises these three
days ago
~ assure you," said Marmaduke,
"that | was quite ignorant of any such
change of arrangements. | have been
|
supposed, of course, that my sister was
here
r.Tm quite S"rc he is a crazy man
istcrposcd Angel, Soffo rOcc.D
And rs it is such stormy night. l
beg only to he allowed to pass the night
in tn, barn. concluded til" Supplicant.
Your sister lett word for you at the
Dairy Farm, said Io. severely.
But | came around by the other
road" said Mr. Framingham. abjcctl,y.
The humor Of the thing was too much
for .Jo-shc burst ont laughing.
Angel, do stop twitching, my dear.
said she Yes. you may sleep III the
barn, Mr.-Mr.
"Mr. birmingham. ladies'. at your
service" said the disciple of Izaak Wal
ton.
Mr.. birmingham. then" said 10.
But YOU must have some tea with lis
first. / am going to cut some cold
tongue, and Angel will make fritters.
and We have VI. Blot's recipe for choco
late. I'm really sorry that l mistooh
Won for a hnrglcr.
"Or a crazy man, said Angel, apollo
gc;ically.
And we will entertain you as hOspita
bly, as in us lies" added 10, with a mis-
chievous sparkle in her eyes.
Mr.. Marmaduke birmingham was af
forwards heard to say that he never spent
so delightful an evening in his life. He
engaged board at the Dairy Farm the
next dav. and instead OF following his
sister to the city. straycd down among
the clcns and hraes.
And when Josephcne Frost's month o
vacation expired she went back to the
city to resign her position Ill the gram
mar school.
Il am going to be married, she con
fessed. blushinG very prettily, when tho
mistress asked the reason why.
So Miss Angela Frost went on alon,
with her career in life, and Mrs. Marina
duke birmingham settled down for lif
at Ivy Glen.
For" said she. Il think it is tn
sweetest spot in all the world.
so do t. said her Young husband.