The Columbus journal., 1883-08-22

to notice the various expressions. Why,
even the noses are a study" she con-
tinued, laughing. "Did you ever look
about you in q street-car and notice the
variety of noses? The insignificant
little nose, the sharp prying nose,
the sly hooked nose, and, as
Dickens says, the composite or mixed
nose But you must not stay here or L
shall never get my work done in time 70
dress for the opera.
She appeared at the dinner-table in
her best dress, q black silk with knots OF
scarlet ribbon at her throat and waist.
Her black hair was wound in heavy
braids about her head in a most becom-
ing style, and a rich color dyed her
cheeks. Never had she looked SO pretty.
and Arthur Fay realized for the first
time that he would like to WOO and win
his landlady's niece. But thoughts OF
love and marriage were not for him,
and he must put them aside. AS soon
as dinner was over Mr.. Fay went out
for moody stroll and smoke. When
he returned Flo waSsplaying an sPom-
paniment while MHStowe sang ~
latter was doubtless to be he esco
to the opera. Probably this was the
cause of her excessive happiness that
afternoon. Mr.. Fay resolved to seek his
room and forget his unpleasant thoughts
in hard study. Mr.. Hall stood at the
foot of the stairs with an opera-glass
under his arm while he strove to draw
over his fat hands a pair of pale lavender
kid gloves.
.'What an insufferable puppy Stowe
is" said Mr.. Hall, in confidential
growl. "He knows that Miss Flo is
going to the opera with me, but he
keeps her there playing in order to
show off that wretched voice of his.
Why, he howled for a mortal hour last
night and kept her pounding away for
him all the while. Confound these
gloves! Why don't they make 'em tit
the human hand and not in the shape
of a birds claw? Here comes Miss
Carson; perhaps she can button 'em for
me-"
That lady smiled obligingly and made
several Intellectual efforts to make the
glove meet across about two inches OF
Mr.. Halls swollen palm.
II am very much afraid the gloves
are too small" observed MIR. Fay,
coolly.
"They are not" snapped Mr.. Hall.
''Are they, Miss Carson?
"Oh, dear, no, not ALL" said Miss
Carson, family, as she tried to make
the obstinate button meet the still more
obstinate button-hole.
''Well, then the hand is too large for
the glove; something is evidently the
matter" said Mr.. Wilkins, who had
appeared on the scene few moments
before.
s.Why, how strange never thought
of it!' exclaimed the landlady, drawing
from her pocket bunch of keys, at
tached to which was q small button
hook.
Trust woman for helping fellow
out,'' said Mr.. Hall. Miss Carson
smiled and redoubled her efforts.
..Ah, have sighed for rest!' sang
Mr.. Stowe from the parlOr. Suddenly
Mr.. Hall gave vent to a prolonged
''o-hr' which sounded like a false note
in Mr.. Stoves song.
"You have dragged my whole palm
through that button-hole, l think.
Here, let me try it." He gave the
glove a vigorous wrench and split it
across the back MIR. Hall said moth
ing. He probably thought he could
not 1.-THE subject justice. He made'a
little ball of the gloves, opened the
door, and threw them with all ghis
strength into the street. after wl6Sh he
went to Ms room for a fresh pair:
"Old Hall is crazy about that girl"
observed Mr.. Stowe to MIR. Fay that
evening.
Il don't blame him, either. She
looked stunning tonight. 1 shouldn't
mind taking her myself"
Perhaps Miss Sheldon would object
to being taken by you." returned Fay,
haughtily.
1t was true that Mr.. Hall wasiflove
Almost the first glance of FIo's eyes
had ecaptivated him. Usually quite
careless in bis dress, he now became
very particular. HGtlfew away the
soft felt hat he had hitherto worn for
comfort, and bought . low-crown felt
with stiff brim turned up with satin.
As sack coats were worn short, he or
dered the shortest that could be made.
He wore light blue and crimson ties
and the latest style of collars and cuffs.
He could not see why Flo Sheldon
would refuse him. He had twenty
thousand dollars we'll invested and a
handsome house on Prairie avenue. He
was neither young nor good-looking,
but surely Flo was too sensible girl to
tare about the mere personal appear
ance of q man of property, and,
better still. man of intellect. He
was so sanguine that he even hint
ed to his tenant that he might want the
house on Prairie avenue himself by the
1st of May.
y. " "Auntie, said Flo, the day after the
opera, sMr. Hall is desperately in love-"
"In love!' exclaimed Miss Carson,
making a great blot on her account
book.
"Yes, and with you," continued the
niece.
with me?" murmured Miss Carson,
blushing.
Anybody would know it." said Flo.
doesn't he make every excuse to be
where we are? Didn't he 60 to church
twice with us last Sunday-the first SER
mon he had heard in years?
He took me to the opera just to
please you. To court the whole family
is an old trick of lovers. am the only
member of your family that he knows,
and he wants to get me on his side. 1t
is evident that Mr.. Hall has become con-
vinced of the fact that he can't live with
out you. Accept him, auntie. He
would be the prince of uncles."
The more Miss Carson thought over
Flo's words the more firmly convinced
abe became that the girl was right, so
true it is that the wish is father to the
thought.
Mr.. Hall became jealous of Mr.. Stowe,
of Mr.. Wilkins, of Mr.. Crane, and mad
ly jealous of Mr.. Fay. That the latter
was the handsomest man in the house
he could not deny, and Mr.. Hall hated
him bitterly.
Finally matters >came tn a climax