The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-12-26
THE OLD FLAME.

Miss Vaudeville? OF course ]
know Miss MandeyiIle," said Florian
Fontenel. "There were two sisters
fvItheln, weren't there? ? Ones radiant
hsonde with such profusion of mag
alllcently Furnished hair, that they
ealled her The Princess with the
Golden L0cks'-the other, a little
Munette, with black braids coiled at
the back of her head, and solemn
eyes that looked you through and
through. Oh, yes, l remember them
very well. They were great bellies
~ iown-waS it the winter before
last or the winter before that? And
evtr7body wondered they didn't re.
Ausn last season. So they live here,
slothey? Well, upon my word this
i5Auite an agreeable discovery. ]
ee..ssw i make it my business to go and
cah directly, for, do you know,
Aradne, l was just the least little bit
hit by the brunette with the great,
grave, questioning eyes"
Mrs. Major FonIenel shook a cloud
of fragrance from the satin folds of
her fan, and moved her head little
diSdainfuIIy.
Flattering as these brOtherly con-
fidences might be, their spirit was
not exactly in unison with the still
tender relations which she would
have preferred. She had been a wild
Ow for 10 years now, and in her own
opinion was no less beautiful than
when she had first stood at the altar.
And, after all, what did il matter
that she was five or six years older
than her cousin Florian? He suited
her, And she had invited him tC
Fontenel Plains to fall in love with
her, and not to maunder about his
old fancies.
YES" sail she coldly, II heard
something of their once being in so
ciety. But it didn't last long. Old
Vaudeville, their grandfather, haG
got INVOLVED in speculati)ns, anC
when lie shot himselfit was no more
than people expected"
"And how do they support them
selves 2"
"Oh, don't know. suppose they
60 out gOvernessing, or take in sew
ing or something. Somehow people
always do get provided for in this
world"
"Then you don't visit them ?"
Mrs. Fontenel lifted her brows
"Quite impossible !" she said. "TheN
were selling bouquets out of TIT
greenhouse until the place was fore
closed. Fancy selling bouquets GU
of ones own greenhouses for IA living
And Cassie has gone somewhere t.
learn stenography, and Kate gOe
around in calico dresses, exactly lik'
a seryant-girl ~
FlOrian smiled 10 himself. "Sht
is better posted as to these two girl
than she is willing to admit" "though
| he.
And the next morning he walked
over the old stone bridge, and ou
across the fields to the old hous,
which LeOnidaS MandeYille had dieC
in. The upper blinds were all a
carefully closed and bOlted as if tn
old mans corpse still lay in the echo
ing rooms; but the basement win
dOwS were thrown open TO admit tn
fresh October air. and round darl
face, brilliant as that of a Spanisl
senorita, appeared at the door to an
swer his knock.
SIS it the man for the ounce jelly p
said she. at is not ready yet. l tot,
you to come this evening"
II am very fond of ounce jelly,
said FIorian FonteneI gravely, "bu
| fear | am not the excellent indi
vidual whom you are expecting
Don't you remember me, Mis-
Kate?"
ut is Mr.. Fontenel," said Kat
Vaudeville, the crimson color mount
ing to her cheek.
EXACTLY" said Florian. Ma.
Mr.. FOntenel come in 2"
Miss Mandeyille hesitated a SCI
ond, then opened the door with
composed smile.
"Yes, walk in." said she, "and So
how industrious | am. l am a work
ing woman now. l do up preserve,
pickles, canned fruit and jellies.
isn't such unpleasant work, excel
when the weather is warm, and
am very literally paid for it. Cassi
is worker too. She is member I
a stenographic class, and is to get tw
pounds a week when she graduates.