McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-07-17


or the least apparent confusion, the lit
tie lady informed her caller, she sup
posed he had been kind enough to come
personally to talk with her about the
renting of his house. And without
waiting for reply, she went on to
say, that her present quarters being
somewhat contracted, it was her object
to secure more commodious..o Jones, and
it seemed to her the house on Dinsmore
road would exactly answer her purpose.
This was practical turn of events
for which Mr.. Dinsmore was hardly
prepared. Here was remarkably
pleasing little lady, making simple
business proposal, in well-worded
speech entirely free from the least ap-
proach to undue freedom or familiarity.
He noticed her small and well shaped
hands; also what neatly slippered,
tiny foot peeped from beneath the mus
lin ruffie of her dress. The plants
blooming in the window seemed fresher
and sweeter than the profusion of
flowers in his own ample beds, and the
trim, tarletan covered bird cage had a
look so homelike and simple, he almost
sighed at the total absence of anything
like sentiment in the little lady's yet so
dainty manner.
Poor Mr.. Dinsmore was more pleased
than ever. That she had written to
him was demonstrated beyond the
shadow of doubt, but how could she
SO apparently ignore with such cool
ease the real tone of her invitation.
s'She may be a clever actress" he
reflected; at all events 1 will sound her
somewhat; the letter she wrote justifies
my doing So" Every word of that let
ter was clearly in his minds eye, and
as a first allusion to its singular sem
fences, he suggested that she must be
lonely living all by herself.
replied that she had become used to
solitude, not only because of living
alone, but her early orphanage had left
her very lonesome child, and as the
years rolled on she had known nothing
better.
"But now," she added cheerfully, IL
am contemplating making quite a
change" unconsciously quoting the
words of her letter.
eyes, so I underestimate he replied
dryly.
"Oh, don't mean only as regards
moving" she rejoined hastily, "but l
am anticipating having a companion
very soon, so am particularly glad 1
can have the other house,
Then he thought he would sound her
a little further. .s'I hope the arrange
ment will result in great profit and hap
piness to you BOTH" he remarked
gravely.
Something which sounded familiar in
his phrase, made little Miss Ellison
flush again slightly, which Mr.. Dins-
more Immediately charged to an awak-
ening conscience, but TIE practical re-
ply, that that of course remained to be
proved, rather nonplussed him.
81 believe you particularly wished to
see me before the Fourth" he re-
marked, still voting.
eyes," she replied, 'sbut I expected
to call and see you, instead of troubling
you to come so far. You are very kind,
and I'm greatly obliged, am indeed"
she added demurely. D
"What sly puss woman is, to be
sure!" reflected Mr.. Dinsmore; shut
I'm not quite done with you yet, my
little lady," he added mentally.
81 suppose you would greatly like
my assistance in moving" he observed.
Again that conscious flush, as if at
some vague recollection caused by his
words, but she FASTENED to assure him
there was no way in which he could
possibly do so, and her genuine look of
surprise at so strange proposal, again
baffied and half vexed him.
81 will make a last desperate at
Tempt" he thought.
eff you should have occasion to adj
dress me again, Miss Ellison" he said,
81 trust you will remember that my
name is Frank
A puzzled look was her only answer,
then so grieved an expression spread
over her face that Mr.. Dinsmore would
have given much to recall the remark.
He felt convinced that had Miss Ellison
made any verbal reply it would have
been, 81 took you for a gentleman.
Taking as graceful a leave as posi-
BILE, he drove rapidly home, and stand
ing before the mirror in his own richly
1uIulSueu Cuduuel uS ps1lu uliuSOu a.
memorable compliment: "Frank Dins-
more, you're the most mistaken, un-
gentlemanly fellow 1 happen to be &C
quainted with"
Mr.. Dinsmore's call had left little
Miss Ellison in a mixed state of mind.
She was pleased at having secured the
house desired, but was much tried at his
remark concerning her manner OF adj
dressing him.
"Can it be-" she asked herself, "that
1 have made a mistake? Yet every
body calls him Frank, and it certainly
was considered proper to use gentle
man 8 full name in writing an address
when 1 was taught about such things. "
The morning of the third of July Mr..
Dinsmore was slowly pacing the front
piazza, when the postman came up the
steps.
After exchanging few friendly
words the postman remarked:
81 found a little lady in some per-
plexity this morning. concerning your