, 1886-07-13
A ROMANCE In A FLAT.

'iuwn heavily, and all day long a nortn-
n-ter-bitter enough TO make one swift II
mss tracks, MS Huckleberry Finn says
had torn round the corners of the streets.
cut into peoples faces, and upset tie
equilibrium of great and small Miss
Warden had venturcd to the window
once or twice to see whether the sky ever
intended to clear, till at last. finding mat
tiers hopeless, she thought il the best pol
icy In the present state of the weather to
remain within the friendly shelter OF her
rooms, IL secure the services OF the
lively DAUGHTER Of the charwoman on the
NTH floor for the necessary purchases Of
bread and meat.
Lighted by the fire, and q bright brass
lamp, h kitchen looked very spick and
span, and rs she put away her knitting
and The Daily News, preparatory 10 max
ing the toast for the afternoon meal. n
wintry smile 1ickered across her faded
face mt the comfortable appearance OF the
little Hat.
Dear said Mis- Warden. IA she
brushed up the hearth and put the kittle
OH to boil. II wish my mother could look
up and see me doing everything for my
self; am afraid il would. give her pain
though. What n bangl Whoever can
1t be-"
"The bang came from the knocker orna-
menting the outer door, which gave" on
the onter stairs. Before the vibration had
lied an excited voice from outside came
booming up the letter-box.
MARIA; let me in at oncc!"
Maria's agitated feelings preventing her
from undoing the latch rs quickly as she
might have done, the voice again called
ont;
"Don't pretend you're out, because l can
see you"
AT last the door was flung wide, and a
short, stout woman with rosy cheeks and
eyes dancing with ex .itement burst into
view; her neat black bonnet was crooked,
her cloth jacket was buttonel wrong, and
her skirt. trailing OIL the ground on one
side was Topped very hi gh oil the other.
She brushed past her hostess into the
kitchen, and then, seating herself close to
the fire.
"Maria Warden said she, "he proposed
at 3 O'Clock his afternoon What's more,
he wants To be married Mt once"
Now every one must know that n we'd
ding Is always a subject of the most lively
interest. The bride in question was Bella
Manners, Miss Warlen's cousin, of n GER
ain age. corresponding, let us say, to the
end of October. Both adde's were streaked
with gray, both complained OF rheuma-
tisrn, both nsed spectacles for every occu-
patton Of life that required eyesight; but
while Maria was quiet and gentle, and dis
t~rustful OF herself and her powers to
please. Bella was loud, and giggly,- and
boisterons, aud admired her own attrac-
ions prodiglonsly-more, perhaps, than
did any one else In the world.
My goodness gracious, what do you
mean" was Miss Warden's amazed an
swer. Really proposed' To yous Who
IS he, What is hes"
Il must have my tea gasped Miss Man
ners. II am dying for 1t. Yes, I'll stay
here. If you like. hut I'm too shaky to ba
II any use, 50 I'll sit still and watch you
get II ready. Three pieces of toast, please,
and plenty Of butter and lots of milk, II
you don't mind. hope l shall be able to
bear up, but MS all very trying"Ihere she
burst into historical tears, which were
quickly dried. and then, with her eyes
fixed on her cousins astonished face, she
continued the wondrous tale.
You know my friend with the white
bob curls. whom you thought like the
queen of the French, Marie -Ameelyy She
has n brother who saw me when | was in
my twenties aud we'll, admired me very
much; however, he lost sight of me alto
zether and married some one else who
lied last year. A fortnight | met him
IN my friends fr9nt drawins,FpsHes AMI he
nj rocked 50 Oddly Mt me 1 didn't know
what to do. 1suppose it must nave been
--er-love at first sight. for | have only
seen him six times since then: and he =
Inite infatuated, head over heels, the.
say. To-day, after luncheon at his ~sister's
small leg Of mutton and apple tart-he
beg TO speak to me alone, which he did.
and | knew no more than the lend that he
was going to offer himself, but he has,
and | am very, very glad"
The tune the Inspector was PLAYING up
stairs changed to the March Of the Men
NJ Harlcch," n guest of wind shook and
ratified the window frames. while across
Miss Warden's mind fitted II rosy little
remembrance OF n half proposal she once
Ind from II clerk who was under her
father in the bank; how BobLie had said.
Gould n fellow and his wife live on els0
a year." and how Miss Wurden's mother
had the question by coming
quite suddenly liz the little Chaplain con
s%ervatory and remnrking. "tio to the piano,
Maria. Mr.. Routh, the lust bus to town
leaves in fifteen minutes Poor Bobbiei
He went TO the bad after that, they said.
And how terrific the bad is To an old
maid.
swell, | am delighted, . she said solemnly.
And | hope you'll be very, We Y happy.
Do you remember Aunt Fanny had a per-
feet horror OF marrtagei It's n girls own
fault, she often used to tell me. " n man Is
impudent enough to propose to her; but |
don't think that true exactly
Il inc I'd n perfect horror OF Aunt
Fanny replied Miss Manners. taking an
immense wedge OF toast. "She was al
ways singnlnrly rude to me. But now |
must talk about my trousscau. I've a
smnll sum laid by in my linen drawer, as
YOU know. which I've often told you was
to he spent in burial fees by my executors.
Happily | can use 1t for something more
cheerful. As | came along. | made up my
mind I'd have a travelling gown from Red
fern, and a rich black silk trimmed with
jet for best; and l look particularly well
In a high bonnet, / wish | were a few
years younger, 80 that | might wear a
wreath and veil. Not that l couldn't
nave been married over and over again
long ngo, but I've always said 'No'-(More
tea, please. u want n truly pious hus-
band; some one who will not make IN IDOL
OF me. 1 love- used to be answered, Il
am wrong, and know | shall be punished;
but. love, you are fist In my thoughts
Now Robert-did | tell you his name Is
Robert Robcrt-cr-Joncs: hut there are
some good J~onescs. it's Lord Some oody's
family name, and he's related to them
loves heaven. and then | come, which Is
exactly whit II should he"
What docs he dog Is he well on"
II don't know that I'm lettering myself,
for ! like my apartments, and n MAJ Is "A
bother, always wanting his linen mending.
and extra cooking and that But he would
hnv me. lie has n little house near Al
bany street, and two servants; 10 children.
and | am thankful TO say, for that would
veX me: ! should hate RroMn-up sons md