The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-07-27

how absurdly shy Percival was, for a
man of his standing Some men were,
and could not help it, the best of men
often. He would shake it off under
the influence of a sensible woman.
The next vacant boarding house was
promised to Percival. He would have
to marry. Miss Lacy liked boys, and
was easily at home with them. A
home of her own would be very con-
venient to her, for Septimus was going
to be married, and then she would be
very lonely and not too well off She
was a sociable woman, and liked the
prospect of lone maiden life in
lodgings but little. Nothing would
be more suitable than proposal from
Derwent Percival He was perhaps a
year or two younger than herself, but
would doubtless see the inexpediency
of asking young, giddy girl to be
mistress of a household of schoolboys.
When the mind of man or woman is
possessed of a fixed idea, il is astonish-
ing how soon all accidental surround
ings accommodate themselves to the
situation devised by fancy. Mr. Per-
cival became Miss Lacy's fixed idea.
She arranged herself, so to speak,
mentally and bodily-postured beft
tingly. But all this in secret; no
whisper, no blush, no girlish airs, no
murmured confidence even in the ear
of her chief woman friend-perhaps
her only woman frlend-Mrs. Urqu-
hart-loyal, unconventional, warm
hearted, hot-tempered, outspoken little
Mrs. Urquhart, who never watched or
suspected anybody, and for all her
sharp tongue had sweet, disarming
truthfulness and honorableness rare in
women.
Now, as Miss Lacy sat at home one
afternoon, reviewing her position, in
her easy way, with small luxurious
surroundings denoting the tempera-
ment and style of the woman-the
Saturday Review in her hand and a
great saucer of roses at her elbow,
wh'e her sbapely foot, in black silk
stockings and dainty slipper, rested in
the warm fur of huge Persian cat,
culled up like a footstool-there came
knock at the door, and Percival put
in his handsome head.
"Oh, Miss Lacy, excuse me;
thought your brother was here, and |
want-but / won't disturb you-any
time will do.
pray, pray, come in, Mr.. Percival,
said she in the quiet, pleasant, reas-
suring way that always put him at
ease, and drove all memory of his
friends jokes out of his head. She
rose to greet him; "What do you
want g? l want somebody to talk to,
so don't be afraid of disturbing me
I'm perfectly idle this morning"
There was a delightful air of the
doles far niente about Miss Lacy and
her sitting room. Mr. Percival found
a comfortable chair so close at hand
that he had simply to sit down in it.
lie sat down and felt very much at
home, at was only the second vol
ume of Froude, Miss Lacy, which
was going to borrow for half an
hour
She picked large rosebud out OF
the saucer and tossed it to him light.
ly.
"The sweetest of all roses," cried
she, "La France" Will that do in
stead.
What made her say this? How
could she tell How could she guess
OF course it was accidental, yet it wa:
the name of the woman he loved
Frances Lorrimer was always ''France'
to those who loved her. lie smelt the
rose, and owned that it was sweet
And he felt very kindly to Septimu:
Lacys sister at that moment. What
clever creatures women were, to bt
sure, he mused-how fresh and sweet
and orderly the rooms they inhabited
He leaned forward, and began to cha
pleasantly.
81 have often thought lately
should like to ask you a question
Miss Lacy" said he-'you are alway.
so kind and indulgent to me! I wisl
l had the courage to do it now," h,
continued, beginning to blush and tC
stutter, and vigorously smelling hi
rose.
"rake courage" she said very soft
ly, looking at him with half-closet
eyes.
"You are so sympathetic, you see
and so clever, and So
He paused, looking up at her to SCI
if she were laughing at him; but, no
her face only wore look of half-ma
ternal interest
81 know so little of the ways O
ladies'" he said shat am Away
afraid of putting my foot into it; bu
| do believe you would help a poor
blundering fellow out. You see, Mis-
Lacy, I've something on my mind.
,"les p she said, quietly interroga
tive,
81 suppose l shall have to set up m,
house presently" he went on-"a ter
rible undertaking for bachelor"
swell" said she, encouragingly
there's a ready remedy"
His face frightened, but he shool
his head,
"Now, do you think, do you reall,
think, said he, .."that | might ventur
to think asking lady, clever an,
awfully pretty" Gle was lookin,
down now, and lost a fitting expires
sion in his companions face whic
beautited it wonderfully SITS $
much trouble for lady, you see."
"rrouble?" said Miss Lacy. 'Dea
me, no 4! You are too modest, Mr.. PEI
cival. The right sort of a lady wi
not mind trouble"
He rose uneasily and came nearer
Her heart beat little quicker tba
usual.
swell, perhaps not, if l only kne,
how to put it to her 1t isn't every lad
who would care to share"
| "Well," laughed Miss Lacy, 'yo
can only find ont by asking her"
"ro be sure and if you think, Mi,
Lacy--yOu who know the place an
the people, and the kind of life and a
that"
| She had pillowed her cheek on hc
hand, and was watching him with CT