The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-06-18
WAS LANDLORD.

viva, dear, it's coming near the
first of May ~
And gente Mrs. Rayner laid down
the coat that was perpetually be-
coming elpowless, and locked across
the lamplit table with anxious eyes.
"Yes, mamma, l know" a tritie
weariy.
Viva, slender, pretty girl, with
dark-brown hair gathered loosely be-
hind shell pink ears, and lips red as
the cactus flower, met her mothers
gaze with eyes bright with wistful
thoughtfulness.
land we must move, of course"
cried a shrill young voice from the
sofa, where sat jessie, VOLATILE
oyergrown school girl, "because the
front gates off its hinges, and the
.f<,s ,i<.i 1, 81 a i -
Eyes, Jessie, we all know the
reascns for moving, but give mamma
an opportunity to suggest whele."
"rhere's hardly much choice about
that" the paIe-faced little woman
said sadly. "Some place where the
rent would be moderate; but"--a
sudden look of longing shining out
of the pain-worn FACET would give
all the world, dear, to see the country
again. feel sitting here"
A CLEAN of quick determination
came into Viya's yelvety brown eyes
"And so you sh IL, mamma - she
said, emphatically.
my darling, how?" in mild sur
prise.
"Well"-Viva puckered up her
low, white brow, and tried to look
wise and business-like--"you see we
could get cottage in some of the
suburban villages at half what city
house would cost. Besides every
thing is so much cheaper in the coun-
try, and we could return to the city
the coming winter. There !"
but your pupils, viva Z"
II could manage to give all the les
sons in three days of the week-tak-
ing the train in, you kown, is almost
as cheap-and do work for Crumley
the intervening days. Now, mann
ma !" triumphantly.
"It looks plausible at first sight,
my pet. but Pm almost afraid to
hope. Dear, dear! now that boy
does wear out his Clothes"
Viva came over and clasped two
maroon merino arms around the in
valid figure before her.
+'Hope as much as you like, man,
ma darling" she cried, gayly; "for
we'll watch the papers till we see a
treasure advertised 'cheap'-in ital-
les, you knoW-and then"
The rest was too glorious to des-
cribe.
Three days later, Viva danced in,
out of ii binding April shower, with
rose red cheeks and starry eyes.
Here it is, mamma" she cried,
automatically, with hearty kiss and
hug that almost demolished the small
figure in the armchair. "Now
listen !"
Ard from the open paper of that
morning, she read aloud:
7NO RENT-IN SUBURBAN VILLAGE,
i Twenty minutes ride from the city, an
Cheap, to good tenant. Apply TO Clifford
Chandos, Room II, "A Est, City.
Il am sure this will suit-'cheap,
in italics, as l said mamma. You
will have our happy countryfied
summer, after ALL" wit an exultant
little laugh. Now, for while, good
bye!"
"Where are you going. dear ?'
''To see about this, mamma. Les.
sons are over"
"Yes, but do not quite like your
going alone, Viva"
"What An old maid music teacher
like me? almost acquire the dignity
of age in this voluminous waterproof
and green veil. Greenl Just think
of IL! might as well have red hair
and spectacles. My nervous old
darling, I'll be back before you know
Pm gone"
And with this decidedly sweeping,
but scarcely possible assertion, she
was out again under the rifting, drift
ing April sky, and going city ward
as fast as the street cars could take
her.
In the thickest. busiest portion of
the city, up two flights of dingy stairs
went Viva.
A timid knock at Room IL.
"Come in !"
She turned the handle, and with
the green veil well down, went in.
Two or three gentlemen, writing
at baize covered desks, looked uu
carelessly as she entered, and went
on with their work.
A gentleman enveloped in clouds
OF cigar smoke, with feet consider