The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-03-13
FURNISHED ROOMS"
BIZ ELLEN WHITNEY CLARK.

Mrs. Laurel famed herself as she
painted breathlessly on after her daugh-
ter, whose step was still as elastic and
springy as if she had not spent the
morning roaming the streets in search
of furnished rooms"
"Just little further, ma: only three
blocks she cried, cheerfully pausing
for her mother to catch up with her.
See. This is the advertisement cut
out of to-day's paper:
EOR RENT-FoUR ROOMS, FURNISHED;
i water gas, etc. Marble mantel in parlor,
Proprietor reserves his own rooms, and would
like to board with parties renting, desiring
only breakfast and tea, with Sunday dinner, in
lieu OF rent
Wont that be nice? Just what we
wanted, you see."
But we won't get it, You'll see, Lii
d." groaned the mother still painting
as her daughter hurried her along.
It'll be like all the others-'just tax
en- or they don't rent to ladies', Or"
I'VE can try, anyway" persisted Lii
da. hopefully. "And-here it is, ma.
Look. Stone steps and silver door-bell.
How nice"
And Lida rang the bell, shook the
dust from her black dress-tor both
ladies were in mourning-and looked
up to confront the owner, Mr.. Campion,
a rather stout. elderly gentleman, with
the unmistakable look of bachelor.
He eyed the ladies warily.
Rooms? Yes, they were for rent;
but"
''On}v see, ma. Velvet paper on the
walls, and dado!" cried Ida. March
ing boldly into the parlor, which stood
wide open, And bay window!
Well take them, of course, ma, and
Do you desire references, sir? We
want rooms immediately"
Mr.. Campion started. somewhat as
founded at such one-sided way of do
ing business. He was an old bachelor,
and had all the prim, old fashioned ideas
indigenous to the lonely brotherhood. J"
But Ida looked so bright and piquant,
her hair was so fluffy and faxen-the
very color Mr.. Campion admired most
her cheeks looked so pink, and her
eyes so bright and sparkling, that he
felt his scruples vanishing like dew be-
fore the morning sun.
Besides, they were ladies. unmistaka-
ably, and
do you desire references? demanded
Lida again. Because"
"Yes-no." stammered Mr.. Campion.
CT"
He hesitated.
1--WE could refer you," began Mrs.
Laurel; but he interrupted her.
Lida's eyes had sparkled mischiev-
oualy at him from under her haxan
"bangs," and Mr. Campion at once de-
cided that references were not necessary.
"Only there are no-no children, [
suppose?" he hesitated turning very red.
and addressing Mrs. Laurel. IL
really couldn't, you know. Children
are so destructive and-and noisy"
Mrs. Laurel blushed little herself
"I-my daughter" she stammered,
looking nervously at Ida.
MY mother has no children but mel"
asserted the young lady, saucilv. Il
won't be very destructive or-or noisy,
sir!''
Dear me, no-ef course not, assem-
ted Mr.. Champion, rejecting her smile.
''And-so and So
"Soits all settled" cried Ida, land
we'll come this afternoon. Breakfast
and tea you said, think? Very we'll;
we can have tea for you tonight, then"
And Ida tripped away, followed
more slowly by her mother, while Mr..
Campion stare, after them as far as he
could see, then locked the door and
uopf ypoditatiyalv mn sfairs
THANK goodness, the rooms are rem
ted at last. !" he commented. with sigh
of relief, land now can attesd to bus
mess again"
And that night, as he drank his tea,
with Mrs. Laurel presiding at the table
and Ida sitting opposite, chatting gaily
as he dished the canned peaches or
passed the iced ound-cake, Mr.
Campion congratulated himself on
his good fortune
$50 much nicer than going to res
taurant," he thought, with stiff looking
walters bringing what you order, and
nobody to talk to, while you swallow
your victuals and get away as fast as
you can. It is rather lonesome being
an old bachelor, after all, he concluded.
ott HOW L We SbOOu III 81
And that night Mr.. Giles Campion
tumbled uneasily on his pillow, his
dreams disturbed by radiant vision
with blue eyes and faxen hair, and
cheeks like scarlet azaleas.
The weeks that followed were like
dream of Paradise, and it was not long
until he had determined to risk his fate,
not exactly ON the hazard of die, but
upon the uncertain chance of winning a
"Yes!" from that pair of willful, scarlet
red lips.
sWhen stars are in the quiet skies,
Then must pine for thee;
Bend on me, then, thy tender eyes,
AS stars look ON the seal"
It was Lida's clear voice, singing the
well-known words, and Mr.. Giles Cam
pion took it as favorable augury to
his hopes, as he carefully opened the
front door with his latch-key and en-
tered the hall as stealthily as if he were
thief in the act of committing bur-
glary, instead of gentleman entering
his own domicile in the broad light of
day.
The truth is, it was earlier than Mr..
CamplOn's usual hour for returning
home.
But having seen Mrs. Laurel pass his
Office in a down town car, early in the
afternoon, he had hurried home as fast
as possible, determined to "have it out"
with Ida, then and there.
For Mr.. Campion was very much in
love indeed, and did not pretend to deny
II ovor to binso1f
And now to hear Lida singing in the
back parlor-of course it was good
omen.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Campion's heart
beat faster than usual as he tapped light
ly on the door by way of warning, and
then opened ito discover-alas, read
er, his Ida, holding baby in her arms!
A fat, saucy, pink-cheeked baby, with
Lida's own curling, faxen hair, and
wide-open, vioiet-blue eyes.
Mr.. Champion stood breathless on
the threshold.
At first, Ida did not look up, suppos-