The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-09-18

NSt> anu Scl IL pouHu anu d nAII OF porter
house steak and two heads of lettuce.
Make haste."
Susanna's tapping sun-bonnet had barely
vanished round the corner, when there
came resolute ring at the bell.
/ Mrs. Toby opened the door, A tall
gentleman, clad in light summer suit
and straw hat, stood on the threshold.
He was a rather elderly gentleman, but
he had none of the mildness common to
age. He impressed Mrs. Tobey as being
rather fierce, whether because of his
aquilne nose, or gold-rimmed eyeglasses,
or military moustache, she could not have
told
" on have rooms to rent, madam 20
he inquired, lifting his hat politely.
eyes, SIR" said Mrs. Tobey, losing her
awe Immediately when he spoke.
May | be allowed to see them?"
Certainly, sir This way"
"They'll do. With board of course.
Terms ?"-quite reasonable. advance !?
= precisely. References p nv card.
madam"
" Henri Won Bergon," read Mrs. Tobev,
from the piece of cardboard presented,
Not the great artist Q"
Mr.. Non Bergen smiled.
An artist" he replied. "The adiec.
tive Is due to mada1n'a K ikintfnsse,.''
Oh, dear me " said madam, all of a
tiutter, are you sure the rooms are nice
enough ?"
"Thcre is good Ii ght There is seclu.
sion. They are admirable | shall take
possession the day after to morrow. Good
morning."
And exit Mr.. Won Bergon
Mrs. Tobcy went down stairs and took
off the pastrboard sign.
"Thank goodness, that's settlcd." she
declared, tervently.
Thursday came-the brightest, balm
lest, snnshincst of mornings The house
had been secured and scrubbed, and pol
ished t" n marvellous degree of cleanli
ness. The windows gliStened like silver,
the hcll-handle was knob of gold, the
pants were positively speckless, the very
flowers in the trim Dutch garlen-beds
looked as though they had had their rosy
faces newly washed.
About ten O'clock an express wagon
stopped at the gate
Mr.. Won Bcrgon's things" explained
tIIN man, anu lollil" ItH bcSdH ucpoSitInS
them on the garden-path trunks, easels.
easy chairs, boxes Of books, models, paint
boxes and canvasscs all of which Mrs
Tobey and Susanna were surveying rev
erently, when a second express drew up
in the spot Just vacated by the first.
New Iodger's traps" he announced,
erutflv
Lord alive, Susanna" gasped Mrs.
Tobey, g if he isn't married !"
Where's the harm in that same,
ma am ?" grinned Susanna
I'm sure understood him to be a sim
gle man. Though not that he ever said
as much she ended, conscentiously
"Thcsc things don't look as if they
b'longed to n man, sure said Susanna
And they didn't They were all on
the garden path, now, .jumbled in with
the first load, and the express had driven
away-a trunk, a wicker-work basket, a
roll of music, bundle of novels, pack
age of crewels and gay silks for crazy
work, and bonnet-boX.
Here comes the gentleman" said Mrs.
Tobey, as Mr.. Won Bergen alighted from
a fly at the gate.
".\nd here comes the lady !" groancd
Susanna, with a fearful awakening OF her
torpid memory. "Oh, lands sakes, how
abscnt-minded be"
And sure enough. at this very moment
Miss Wilde came walking up the garden
path, almost side by side with Mr.. Won
Bergen.
Good-morning !" she said smiling.
Mrs. Tobey | presume. Pm your new
tenant"
She looked quite youthful and pretty
this morning in her gown of soft, pearl
colored lawn, with the sunhat to match,
all trimmed with pink ribbons.
You're welcomc,' said Mrs. Tobey.
Mr.. Won Bergen did not say he was
married."
What what's this ~ roared Mr.. Won
Bergen. Married, ma'am? Who says
Fm married, ma'am?"
Isn't-isn't this lady your wife 2" ial-
tered Mrs. Tobey.
"No." shrieked Miss Wilde.
"No." thundered the artist.
81 am the new tenant" declared Miss
Wilde. L" Is it possible your servant did
not give yeu the note | left for you,
the day before yesterday, engaging the
rooms
"No,'' gasped the landlady, family.
"She's that absent-minded, Susanna is"
And Mrs Tobey fled in cowardly fash
ion.
Let 'em fight it out ?" she said, in the
intervals Of shaking the breath out of
Susanna.
Left alone, the new tenants surveyed
each other in antagOnistic silence.
well, | guess I'd better be moving
my things into the house," announced
Miss Wilde, resolutely.
81 guess not" retorted Mr.. Won Ber-
gon, wrathtully. "The rooms are mine. ="
81 am sure | rented them first" de-
clared Miss Wilde, winking very hard to
keep back the tears of disappointment
slowly rising. " am very sure did MIR.
Mr."
"Non Bergon," stiffiy.
Not-but now that | look at you do
believe it's-ITenri Won Bergen! Why,
I've got your photograph in my dear pa
PAS album"
Down she went on her knees before her
trunk, very much flushed and excited.
Why, Miss-Mss-" he stammered.
"Wilde,' she said. "Pamela Wilde" :"
Not Andrew Wilde's daughter?"
Yes" she avowed. "Look, here's
your picture, Papa always told me it
was that of his dearest friend"
Sand, bless my soul, if | haven't got
yours somewhere about me F! Wait till |
II VNbo.ot x,o,r Cot