The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-04-15

"Please, sir, it's B. B. she wants."
the girl persisted, who had received
special directions as to answers to the
| advertisement.
'Eh! a ladyP Show her up" And
Brown hastily threw off his dressing
gown, and assumed a garment some
what less variegated. "Odd," thought
he" decidedly" and he seated himself
in his chair to await the result. A light
step was heard on the staircase, and the
lady, who had sent no card, entered the
room. Brown turned and rose to offer
her chair, but paused suddenly with
out doing so. The visitor was equally
embarrassed, and the silence endured
until you have read the next paragraph.
Brown paused, because instead of the
middle-aged lady, with British Museum
complexion, whom he had expected to
see, there stood before him young girl,
whose age could not have been more than
twenty, and whose beauty was enhanced
by the deep blush which rose to her down
cast eyes.
Brown first recovered himself, am
happy to say; and having got hold of a
chair, he jerked it rather nervously on to
the ground, and said something about
doing him the honor to be seated. Il
fear, sir, there is some mistake" The
voice was very sweet one, as, indeed,
it could not help being, Brown thought.
| You wished to make some inquiry
about my advertisement" he said, with
some hesitation.
| "Then you are B. B.?'
81 am B. B., madam"
Frha I<r l. La 4
to, him said: 81 must apologize for hav-
ing intruded upon you, and beg you to
excuse the mistake which-which has
caused this VISIT and she moved toward
the door.
81 beg your pardon" Brown said
hastily. Zone moment. Will you be
kind enough to explain
'Prav, do not ask me, SIR" and again
she turned to the door. Brown was by
no means satisfied.
q have no right to detain you; but if
L can be of service to you in any way,
pray do me the pleasure of saying So"
1t will be observed that Browns Ian
guage was remarkably polished-a trait
on which he prided himself.
'' 1t is impossible" she said, looking
up at him, and perhaps seeing something
honest about his face, she continued: Il
saw the advertisement, which seemed so
well suited to me, that l hoped it might
be from lady, or some one who-who
could have accepted my services"
81 should be most happy" Brown
began. She shook her head and replied,
now without embarrassment:
| - | was Mistaken
&c You have been in Spain?" Brown
asked.
81 have only just returned from there. y"
60 l cannot, of course, press upon you
anything to which you have an objection,
but if you will permit me it may be pos
sible to arrange the matter in way
which will overcome any difficulty"
She looked up, and Brown was en-
couraged to proceed.
The assistance 1 required may be
rendered at your own house, if such an
arrangement would suit you"
For a moment she looked as if it would,
but glancing once more at Brown. she
seemed to take another resolution, and
wishing him good-day rather abruptly.
she disappeared down the stairs. Brown
is considerably some people-a very
handsome fellow; but whether that had
anything to do with frightening her
away must leave the ladies to deter
mine.
Brown jumped up and stepped to the
window, which commanded a small strip
of garden in front of the house. :" Very
odd!-no name-no nothing! There she
goes! Very pretty figure!- lawful shabby
bonnetn' Such was the turn of his
thoughts while the shabby bonnet moved
along the garden wall and disappeared
Then he suddenly put ON his hat and
followed at distance.
He admitted to himself that this was
an absurd thing to do, and thought he
would 90 back sensibly; then, as the
bonnet passed round corner he quick
ened his steps and meditated no more
till he caught sight OF it again. The bon
net passed round a great many corners,
and hurried along at speed which sur
prised him, leading him through dingy
and narrow streets and disappearing up
court, which seemed to be playground
for the children of the neighborhood.
The door of one of the houses stood
open, and Brown perceived woman
seated at work in a room on the ground
floor. Walking over some children who
were strewn about the steps, he entered
the room and took his stand beside a
cradle, while he addressed the mistress
of the apartment. Did young lady
wearing so and SO lodge therep She did
lon the third floor back. The bell was
broken and he had better walk up.
Bashfulness had ceased to be one of
Browns failings, and yet he hesitated
considerably at the door which was
pointed out to him. Atlength he knocked
nervously, and being told to "come in, p"
did so.
1t was little sitting-room, the walls
of which still retained some vestige of a
dingy paper, which had once covered
them. There were two chairs and two
small tables, and portrait of her Majes-
| ty over the chimney-piece. A quantity
of needle work lay scattered about the
room, which, in spite of its poor appear
ance, was clean and even fragrant, for
large pot of mignonette stood outside the
window. A pale, withered-looking wom-
an sat in one of the chairs, propped up
by cushions, and the object of Browns
impertinent inquiries stood near the win
dow lookinU of tho i,,tr,,JoY with c.,oo.