The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-09-14

them anything fit to be worn at Mrs.
Hanaway's party, which was in style
much above the entertainments they
were usually invited to, but also because
they both wore turbans, and each was
afraid that the other might carry off the
identical turban that might be most de-
sirable for herself. Urged by this feel
ing. so alert were they that they were
each standing at their several windows
when the coach passed. with their bon
nets and cloaks actually on-ready to
start for the place-determined to reach
Miss Gibbs in time to witness the open
ing of the boxes. But .who shall con-
troi his fate?n Just as Miss Cecilia was
stepping off her threshold she was &C.
costed by very gentlemanly-looking
person, who. taking off his hat with an
air really irresistible, begged to know il
he had ''the honor of seeing Miss
Smith," q question which was, OF
course, answered in the affirmative.
81 was not quite sure" said he,
whether was right, for had forgot
ten the number; but 1 thought it was
sixty" and be looked at the figures on
the door.
This is sixty. SIR" said Miss Cecilia.
adding to herself, II wonder if it was
sixteen he was sent TOP" for at number
sixteen lived Miss Charlotte.
Il was informed, madam" pursued
the gentleman, that could be accom-
modated with apartments here-that
you had first floor to let
THAT is quite true. sir, replied Miss
Cecilia. delighted to let her rooms,
which had been some time vacant, and
doubly gratitied when the stranger
added: Il come from Bath, and was
recommended by friend of yours; in
deed. probably relation, as she bears
the same name-MiSs Joanna Smith. y
Il know Miss Joanna very well, sir. y
replied Miss Cecilia: .'pray walk up
stairs and I'll show you the apartments
directly" ("For." thought she. 81
must not let him go out of the house
till he has taken them. for fear be
should find out his mistake.) Every
nice rooms, sir. you see; everything
clean and comfortable; 4 pretty view OF
the canal in front, just between the
bakers and the shoemaker's; you'll get
a peep, sir, if you step to this window.
Then it's uncommonly lively; the Exeter
and Plymouth coaches, up and down,
rafting through all day long, and in
deed, all night, too, for the matter of
that. A beautiful little bedroom, back,
too, sir; yes, as you observe, it certainly
does look over a brick-kiln; but there S
no dust, not the least in the world. for
I never allow the windows to be opened.
Altogether, there can't be q pleasanter
situation than it is.
The stranger, it must be owned.
seemed less sensible of all these advan-
tages than he ought to have been; how
ever, he engaged the apartments; it
was but for short time, as he had
come there about some business con-
nected with the election; and. as Miss
Joanna had so particularly recommend
ed him to the lodging. he did not like to
dislodge her. So the bargain was struck;
the maid received orders to provision
the garrison with bread. butter. tea,
sugar, etc., whilst the gentleman re-
turned to the inn TO dispatch Boots
with his portmanteau and carpet-bag.
'.You were only Just in time, sir, -"
observed Miss Cecilia. as they descend
ed the stairs, s.for / expected gentle
man to call at Il o'clock to-day. who,
am sure, would have taken the lodg-
ings."
II should be sorry to stand in the
wav," responded the stranger, who
would not have been at all sorry for an
opportunity of backing out of the bar
gain. "Perhaps you had better let him
have them-I can easily get accommo-
datious elsewhere"
s'Oh, dear, no, sir; dear me! 1
wouldn't do such a thing for the worldn'
exclaimed Miss Cecilia, who had only
thrown out this little inuendo by way
of binding her ledger to his bargain,
lest. an discovering his mistake. he
should think himself at liberty to annul
the agreement. For well she knew it
was mistake; Miss Joanna, of Bath.
was Miss Charlotte's first cousin, and
hating Miss Cecilia, as she was in duty
bound to do, would rather have sent
hsr dose of arsenic than a ledger any
day. She had used every precaution to
avoid the accident that had happened
BY writing on n card Miss Charlotte
Smith, No. 10 High street, B, op-
posite the linen-draper's shop"
but the thoughtless. traveller never
dreaming of the danger in which he
stood, lost the card, and, trusting to his
memory, fell into the snare.
Miss Cecilia-had been so engrossed
BY her anxiety to hook this fish before
To- -;val oouIj hara n ahapna af tbroxr
ing out bait for him that. for time,
she actually forgot Miss Gibbs and the
turban; but now that her point was
gained, and she felt sure of her man.
her former care revived with all its
force, aud she hurried along the street
toward the market place in q fever of
apprehension lest she should be too
late. The matter certainly looked i'll;
for. as she arrived breathless at the
door, she saw groups of self-satistied
faces issuing from it, and among the
rest the obnoxious Miss Charlotte's
physiognomy appeared, looking more
pleased than anybody.
ssOdious creaturer' thought Miss
Cecilia; las if she supposed that any tur-
ban in the world could make her look
tolerableI" But Miss Charlotte did not
suppose it; and, moreover, she had Just
secured the very identical turban that
of the all turbans that were ever made
was most likely to accomplish this de-
sideratum-at least 50 she opined.
Poor Miss Cecilia! Upstairs she
rushed. bouncing into Miss Gibbs little
room. now strewD with finery. .'Wfll.
Miss Gibbs l hope you have something
that will suit me?"
"Dear me. men," responded Miss
Gibbs. ..what pity You did not come
little sooner. The only two turbans
we had are just gone-Mrs. Costing
took one and Miss Charlotte Smith the