Smyrna times., 1884-06-11
Disguised.

depot at u o'clock precisely?"
Mrs. Early had followed her tall
brother-in-law to the front dOOrsteps,
with the fresh wind blowing her bright
hair about her face, and q scarlet Shet-
land shawl drawn picturesquely round
her delicate shoulders-a pretty woman
with something Of matronly dignity
subduing the arch mischief that
sparkled in her merry eyes.
Mr.. Charles Early was a stalWart,
handsome young man, with blue eyes
and light brown hair, shadowing fair
open forehead. 1t was Il pleasant face
to look into, with nothing of irresolu-
ton or efleminacy about it, and con-
sequently Charles Early had many
frienGs-aye, and loyal ones, too.
He turned around at the sound of
his sister-in-law's voice. Josephine
was one of his most useful and constant
allies.
No, I'll not forget, Josephine, but I
am sorry her godfathers and god
mothers in baptism gave her the name
of Stephanie."
"Why ?"
" Because l know Stephanie; the
prettiest fairy you ever saw! 1t was
when we were all at WOolgrove beach
last mOnth-and if you'll promise not
to tell my sober brother, Bob, I'll con-
lidc to you Il mOmentous secret, Jose
phine. Have your pledge Of
secrecy"
" promise"
well, then, lost my heart to that
beautiful little Stephanie, with her
nossy yellow curls, and her rose-mOuth
with its tiny pearls of teeth, and her
pink and white complexion, Just like
your great oleander in the drawing
room"
" Did you promise to her, Charlie ~
questioned his sister-in-law, with all
the eager earnestness of woman's 5
curiosity.
Not just then, but-another secret,
josephine proposed by letter, day
before yesterday"
And you have received no
answer"
Not yet; | suppose it is too soon
but I'm on thOrns and nettles until
one does reach me. Josephine, if she
don't have me, I'll drown myself"
No, Charles, you won't. What
absurd nOnsense"
1
to cross grained, fdgety old bachelor
grambling necessarily at everything
and everybody for the rest Of my
natural days; see if don't"
Charles, you're goose :"
So are all the young men who have
the misfortune to fall in love. IT,
their normal condition. What time dc
you say the train arrives? Twelve
| shall have to get a carriage, l sup
pose, to transfer the rheumatic-y ole
lady here, without any breakage 0
bones. Does she walk with a gold
headed cane?"
Yes, and she wears a wig anC
spectacles, and talks through her nose
and takes snuff from tortoise shel
box?"
Angels and ministers Of grace de
fend us!' Josephine, how did you eve
come TO have such an aunt? and hOy
did her name happen to be Stephanie
instead Of Doreas or Tryphosa?'
I'VE need to call her Aunt Feny
for short, said Mrs. Early, mischiev
,, Ously, and her brother-in-law strod
down the street, whistling, but not 70
lack Of thought, as he went.
4" wish my Aunt Feny was in tn
Red sea" he Thought, Il little vindiC
lively; but | suppose | must oblig
Josephine
SO at u o'clock precisely Mr.. Charlie
= Early stood on the platform on tn
depot, watching the long train as
slowly glided in, like ii fire-throate
serpent.
There comes your antediluVian oil
i hag, Charlie said Guy St. Everi
with laugh, as IA brisk, but some
what bent figure, wrapped from hea
to foot in a VOluminOus cloak of snuf
cOlOred bombazine, with huge circu
lar cape OF the same, stepped out {
the last car, by the aid of an iron -heaC
cd cane. Her bonnet, curiOusly bel
and crumpled, barely covered hug
(, irilled cap; she wore a bright brow
" wig, set Il little awry over her for,
head, and massive green spectacles $.
astride of her nose, while brown cOtto
> gloves adorned her hands, and gree
umbrella, carried under her arm
threatened, with its brass ferule, tn
: eyes of whOsOever was rash enough I
- crowd her movements in the rear.
4 Aunt Feny's self, as l live an
breatheW echoed Bruce MOntmartil
Charlie, if | were you I'd run fro
itr'
Drop her in the gutter and max
off with yourself?" suggested anoth,
young exquisite, superciliOusly stroll
ing down his moustachc.
But Charles Early had too man
gentlemanly instincts to pay any het
to the waggish hints of his companion
He stepped forward, chivalrously
-. "Allow me to carry your basket f
= you, ma'am?' he said. 81 am Il
brother-m-law of your niece, Nj
n Early"
"Oh, you be, eh?" croaked feeb
I'M voice from under the cap frill. I'VE
q, you may take my umbril and and n
basket, and here's paper o. gingt
. bread ! fetched along for lunch and
bottle O root beer Farmer Jenkin
wife sent me-its dretful good f
pimples and sich-and PVe got
e stripid carpet-bag sOme'ers, with {
key tied on with bit o. red tape-al
here's the brass tickets for the trun
checks the fellow called 'em if /
f member rightly"
It's all right ma'am, assure YOU
said Mr. Early. "Step into the ca
. riagc; | will see that your things a
brought here directley"
"What be them fellows laughi
aus atP demanded Aunt Feny, stOppi
No short, with one foot on the carria
nd step, and glaring at Messrs. St Eve
md and Montmartin through the gre
of spectacle glasses. Il guess Pm as go
ON as they be if | amt dressed in the We
last agony of the fashion. I've got
. sewed up in my flannel waist, over a
above my travelin' expenses, and
go bail it's more than they've gotr'
A suppressed laugh here ran throu
the little assemblage of spectators
md the platform.
in "Do not let their folly annoy W
.nl on ma'am," said Early, pleasantly. :"
e Everil, stand back !" he added sternl
. "if you have no reverence for old a
or womanhood, will teach you to
spect my right hand. This lady is l
der my protection, you will please
/ in remember"
,I9 en- Mr.. St. Everil retreated, somewl
''D discomftted, upon his companion
toes, and the old lady climbed, chuC
l. ling into the carriage.
"Young man, she began, when
>, umbrella, lunch-paper, basket and b
tie were safely slowed away, and tn
were rolling rapidly over the C
,r streets, you've got a good deal