The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-08-18

am SlttlDg Jne next morning over the re
mains of u late breakfast, with only the dog
! for company, when Letitia come in with hel
buster and begins to dust. OF course she
should have have finished long before cam,
down but she had to converse with the post
man, and the milkman, and the baker, and
| score or two more of her admirers; and sc
her duties have had to wait
Isn't it queer, Miss May" she says, trail
| ing her duster along the edge of the mantel
piece, without pauslng to lift any of the
ornaments therefrom-"very queer, | think
| il is, that your aunt never married."
"Shc knew best herself" Ianswer, listless
| " for / am not it all disposed for a display
of loquacity. 81 suppose she never met any,
body TO care for"
"Ah, there's where it just is" says Letitia
giving n wipe here and wipe there, in hel
careless sort of fashion; cts bad to marry
without love, amt it, Theresa wdda-mar
after me these two or three years back, but
| l. But as you said just not about your aunt
| Miss she hasn't married because she never
| met any one to care for before"
81 said nothing about before" | say, look.
ing sharply up.
Didn't you, Miss That must ha been my
own thcn," says Lctitia quietly But she
has met some one now, anyway, Pm think
in"
what do you mean ~ l inquire, in be.
wldermcnt
"Well, then, iaix I'll tell you," says Letilia
pausing, dustcr in hand, "tor don't like his
tory" (she means mystcry,) land | don't see
why you shouldn't know. There's your aunt
that always thought as solemn and steady
as II Mother Abbot, has got to receiyin'
notes and flowers, and don't know what
nJ q, - nj
the blind at some one goin by. | thought
at first it was the gent next door, as the lit
tie philosopher" (she means velocipede, or
bicycle,) but it can't be him, for he went a
toorin' last week, and she's peepin all the
same"
"You are surely dreaming Il say in amaze
ment.
"Oh, the divil dream |" says Letitia, in
broad Irish, There's some chap foolin'
ing the old lady, and she's not got the sense
to give him no Inheritance" She means en-
couragement, but as usual, misses the mark
II cannot believe it,, say incredulously
and go on eating my breakfast.
"Well, that may die" says Lettia, excit-
eddy, IF there's lie in the hole of it. She's
getting herselfup scrumptious this minute, for
the gent is to call at twelve; and have
orders to show him in"
Dlu lily uuul tCll 1Dl W W. 81 ush
with dignity.
"She did, fax p says Letitia offended "A
note come with them flowers last evening,
and she fecked 1t quick into her pocket and
when went up with her hominy, Pm blest
if she wasn't sittn' in her night cap, writn'
an answer to it, and sent me out scuddin'
to the post, with the tail o my gown over
my head"
Can YOU remember the address on the let
ter, or the name-the name ~ ask eXcitedly
as a new light breaks suddenly in upon me.
"Oh, hang the address, remember" says
Letitia looking puzzled, but I'd know the
name again. Wallnut-or some such like. p"
lay down my knife and fork, and fairly
roar with laughter and Letita stares with
open mouth and evidently lougs to know
the cause of my mirth. Nor am long in
telling her. My lover has been making love
TO my aunt! not Intentionally; but, being
unaware that we possess the same name at
least that we are both Miss Marlands-he has
neglected to write my Christian name upon
the envelopes intended for me and so they
hUve been carried straight to my relative.
Good gloryW says Letitia in an ecstacy
of laughter, "if he hnnt proposed i'll one O
them letters, he's going to do it to day.-
Crikey won't there be fun I'll put my ear
to the jaw of the door and hear it all " She
means the lamb but there's no use in cor.
recting her.
Not less amused than she, spring up
dash off note to Mooney, telling her to
come round at oncc-dispatch Letitia with
orders not to stop to gossip with half the
parish on the way-and busy myself clearing
off the breakfast things and tidying up the
room. My tasks are scarcely accomplished
and Letitia returned, when my aunt comes
down. She is evidently equipped for con-
quest. Her wig in newly curled--her best
scarf is over her shouldcrs--and from the
black satin bangs up her arm an deliberately
laced and perfumed handkerchief is protrud
ing.
She kisses me demurely and sits down with
her back to the light. 1t is clear that she is
Hurried and nervous; so tell her she looks
pale, and bring her a glass of port, for which
she seems thankful.
Then Mooney comes, and she and | go in
into the little back room, and shut the folding
doors, leaving the old lady to await her WIS.,
itor's arrival.
At twelve great knock is heard, and Lett
tia's heavy foot pounds along the hall and
somebody inquiries for Miss Marland. and he
is ushered into that adys presence. Mooney
and | hold our hreaths and cram our hand
ker chiefs into our mouths to smother our
mirth whilst confused murmur of voices
arise in the adjoining room; question and
answcr-and discussion-and finally laugh
ter, too, and my aunt throws open the fold
ing door and calls us in
Here is somebody wanting you. May"
she says, ms Ernest and | meet with some
embarrassment, "you know what he wants,
/ fancy-and Miss Mooney, / think, knows
all about it, too. and means to be bridesmaid
no doubt. Ah,' she continues, shaking her
head cheerily, they thought the old woman
was fool, and took it all to herself; but
she didn't by any means. She saw the
whole mistake; but as chance gave her the
opportunity of Il first interview, she took it,
and received the proposition her niece"
You're brick! !" says Mooney, going to
her and slapping her on the back with so
much force and gusto that the old lady's one
remaining tooth seems to culver in her head ;
an never call you Tab any more and rs
May is too stupid to offer me as much as an
Introduction to Mr. Calcott, why-Pl go and
shake hands with him without it"
"Well," says Lettia, busting into my
room two hours later, and throwing herself
upon her honest knees bcsid me rs | sat
in a day dream of happy thoughts-"I wish
you joy, Miss May; and good luck to your
aunt, for | never seen an old lady do job
SO neat She was cocksure the pop was for
herself and she turned off her disappoint-
ment like an angel or saint"
But to this day-Ernest is 50 loyal have
never been able to find out whether or not
what Letitia said was true.
MAMIE POWER O'DoNoGHUE
That is About the Way of it.
A correspondent asks whether story told
by Capt. Farrow, Of lsleboro, Me, at his