The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-09-15

ing out IOr Gno uedl DoAeSi anu sun
enough, there they were-three OF
them-large enough to contain caps for
the whole town. Then there was
rush up stairs for their bonnets and
shawis, and in few minutes troops OF
ladies, young and old, were seen hur-
rying toward the market-place, where
dwelt Miss Gibbs-the young in pursuit
of artificial flowers, gold bands, and
such like adornments, the elderly IN
search of a more mature order of deco
ration.
Among the candidates for finery no
body was more eager than the two Miss
Smiths; and they had reason to be so,
not only because they had neither of
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-
troll his fate?" Just as Miss Cecilia was
stepping off her threshold she was ac-
costed by very gentlemanly-looking
person, who, taking off his hat with an
air really irresistible, begged to know if
he had "the honor of seeing Miss
Smith," question which was, of
course, answered in the affirmative.
81 was not quite sure" said he,
'whether l was right, for had forgot
ten the number; but thought it was
sixty" and he looked at the figures on
the door.
"This is sixty, SIR" said Miss Cecilia,
adding to herself, 81 wonder if it was
sixteen he was sent to?" for at number
sixteen lived Miss Charlotte.
81 was informed, madam" pursued
the gentleman, "that | could be accom-
modated with apartments here-that
you had a 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 gratifed when the stranger
added: Il come from Bath, and was
recommended by friend of yours; in
deed, probably a relation, as she bears
the same name-Miss Joanna Smith"
81 know Miss Joanna very well, sir"
replied Miss Cecilia; pray walk up
stairs and I'll show you the apartments
directly" C'For," thought she, 81
must not let him 90 out of the house
till he has taken them, for fear be
should find out his mistake VERY
nice rooms, sir, YOU see; everything
clean and comfortable; a pretty view of
the canal in front, just between the
bakers and the shoemaker's; you'll get
peep, sir, if you step to this window.
Then t'suncommonly 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 brick-kiln; but there's
no dust, not the least in the world, for
[ never allow the windows to be opened.
Altogether, there can't be 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 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, ''for l expected a gentle
man to call at II o'clock to-day. who,
| am sure, would have taken the lodg-
ings.n
Il should be sorry to stand in the
way" 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-l can easily get accommo-
dations elsewhere"
"Oh! dear, no, sir; dear me! [
wouldn't do such thing for the worldr
exclaimed Miss Cecilia, VINO 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
her dose of arsenic than a lodger any
day. She had used every precaution to
avoid the accident that had happened
by writing on card miss Charlotte
Smith, No. 16 High street, B, OPP
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
her rival could have chance of throw
ing out a 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, and she hurried along the street
toward the market place in a fever of
aOnrphpnSiOn laSt cha cbo,,Id ba BOO