The Washington critic., 1886-06-24
FURNISHED ROOMS"

nantCu DrcuthlcSSly on a1tef ncr uauSu-
Ter, whose step was as elastic aud
springy as If she had not spent all the
roaming the streets in search
pf furnished rooms"
"Just little farther, 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 Rooms; Furnished;
IL water, gas, etc; marble mintel In par.
lOr; proprietor reserves his own rooms and
would like to board with parties renting, de-
string only breakfast aud tea and Sunday din
ncr In lieu of rent.
Wont that be nice? Just what we
wanted, you see."
but we won't get 1t, you'll see,
Ida" groaned the mother, still pant
ing as her daughter hurried her along.
9TH be just like all the others-'iust
taken or they don't rent to ladies
Or"
1--WE can try, anyway" persisted
Ida, hopefully. "And-hcre it is,
ma. Look Stone steps and silver
door.b belll How nicel"
Ida rang the bell, shook the dust
from her black dress-for both ladies
were in mourning-and looked up to
confront the owner, Mr.. Campion, a
rather stout, elderly gentleman. with
the unmistakable look of a bachelor.
He eyed the ladies warily.
'RoomsY Yes, they are for rent, but
-"
"Only 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 require any references. sir? We
want the rooms Immediately"
MIR. Campion started, somewhat as
founded at such one nesided way Of do
ing business. He was an old bachelor,
and had all the prim, old fashioned
IDEAS indigenous to the "lonely brother.
hood"
But Ida looked so bright and
ilaXen--the very color Mr.. Campion
admired most--her cheeks looked so
pink, and her eyes so bright and spark.
ling that he felt his scruples vanishing
like dew before the morning sun. BE.
side, they were ladies, Enthusiastically,
and
"Do you desire references?" de-
manded Ida again. Because"
"Yes-no!" stammcred Mr.. Campion.
"I-'
lie hesitated.
1--WE could refer you" began Mrs.
Laurel, but he interrupted her.
Lidas eyes had sparkled mischiev-
ously at him from under her faxed
bang" and Mr.. Campion immedi-
ately decided that references were not
necessary.
"Only there are no-no children, 1
suppose" he hcsitated, turning very
red and addressing Mrs. Laurel. "I-
/ really couldn't, you know. Children
are so destructive and-and noisy"
Mrs. Laurel blushcd little herself.
"I--my daughter" she stammercd,
looking nervously at Ida.
my mother has no children but
me - asserted the young lady, saucily.
Il won't be very destructive or noisy,
sir"
Dear me, no--of course not" as.
serted Mr.. Campion, rejecting her
smile "And-and So"
80 it's all settled - cried Ida,
"and wc'll come this afternoon.
Breakfast aud tea you said, think !
Very well; we can have tea for you
this evening, then"
Ida tripped away, followed more
slowly by her mother, while Mr.. Cam
pion stared after them rs far as he
could see, then locked the door and
went up stairs.
"Thank goodness, the rooms arc
rented at last p he commented, with Il
sigh of relief; 'now | can attend to
business again.
That night as he drank his tea, with
Mrs. Laurel presiding at the table and
Ida sitting opposite, chatting gayly rs
passed the iced pound cake, Mr.. Cam
pion congratulated himself on his good
fortune.
80 much nicer than going to a res
taurant," he thought, with stiif-look
ing walters bringing you what yor
order and nobody to talk to, while you
swallow your victuals and get Away a.
fast as you can. 1t is rather lonesome
being an old bachelor, after all" h,
concluded. II don't see how I've stood
it so long"
That night Mr.. Giles Campion tum
bled uneasily on his pillow, his dreams
disturbed by a radiant vision with blut
eyes and flaXen hair, and cheeks likC
scarlet aZaleas,
The weeks that followed were like {
dream of paradise, and 1t was not long
until he had determined to risk hi
fate, not exactly on the hazard of t
die, but upon the uncertain chance o
winning n "Yes !" from that pair o
willful, scarlet lips.
x X
"When stars are In the quiet skies,
Then most pine for thee;
Bend on me, thcn thy tender eyes,
| AS stars look ON the sea
1t was Lida's clear voice singing thu
well known words, and Mr.. Camplou
took it as favorable nugury to hi
hopes, as he carefully opened the from
door with his latch key and entered
the house as stealthily as if he were
thief in the act Of committing burglar,
instead of gentleman entering his owl
domicile in the broad light of day.
The truth is, it was earlier than Mr.
Campions usual hour for returnin!
home. But having seen Mrs, Laurc
pass his oillcein Il downtown car early
in the afternoon he had hurried hom
as fast as possible, determined to "hav
it OUT with Ida then and there. Fo
Mr.. Campion was very much in love
indeed, and he did not pretend to deny
ii even to himself And now to hea
Ida singing in the back parlor-o
course it was good omen.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Campion's hear
beat faster than usual as he tapped
| lirhilv on the door by Way of Warninl