Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-04-14
A ROMANCE IN A FLAT.

II was Christmas Eve. and very cold.
All day long the snow had been coming
down heavily, and all day long q north.
easter-bitter enough to make one wilt in
ones tracks, as Huckleberry Finn says
had torn round the corners Of the streets,
cut into peoples faces, and upset the
equilibrium Of great and small Miss
Warden had ventured to the window
once or twice to zee whether the sky ever
intended to clear, till at last, finding mat
tiers hopeless, she thought it the best pol
icy in the present state of the weather to
remain within the friendly shelter of her
rooms, and secure the services OF the
lively daughter of the charwoman on the
Efth floor for the necessary purchases OF
bread and meat.
Lighted by the fire, and a bright brass
lamp, the kitchen looked very spick and
span, and as she put away her knitting
and The Daily News, preparatory to max
ing the toast for the afternoon meal, a
wintry smile fickered across her faded
face at the comfortable appearance Of the
little fiat.
Dear said Miss Warden, as she
brushed up the hearth and put the kittle
on to boil, Il wish my mother could look
up and see me doing everything for my
self; am afraid it would give her pain
though. What a bang, Whoever can
1t be-"
sThe bang came from the knocker orna-
menting the outer door, which gave" on
the outer stairs. Before the vibration had
died an excited voice from outside came
booming up the letter-box.
maria; let me in at once"
Maria's agitated feelings preventing her
from undoing the latch as quickly as she
might have done, the voice again called
out:
@Don't pretend you're ont, because can
see you"
At last the door was fling wide, and Q
short, stout woman with rosy cheeks and
eyes dancing with excitement burst into
view; her neat black bonnet was crooked,
her cloth jacket was buttoned wrong, and
her skirt, trailing on the ground on one
side was Topped very high on the other.
She brushed past her hostess into the
kitchen, and then, seating herself close to
the fire.
maria Warden" said she, 4he proposed
at O'Clock this afternoon. What's more,
he wants to be married at once."
Now every one must know that we'd
ding is always subject of the most lively
interest. The bride in question was Bella
Manners, Miss Warden's cousin, of a GER
tain age. corresponding. let US say, to the
end of October. Both ladies were streaked
with gray, both complained of rheuma-
tism, both used spectacles for every occu-
patton of life that required eyesight; but
while Maria was quiet and gentle, and dis
trustful OF herself and her powers to
please, Bella was loud, and giggly, and
boisterous, and admired her own attrac-
tions prodigiously-more, perhaps, than
did any one else in the world.
'My goodness gracious, what do you
meansn was Miss Warden's amazed an
swer. Really proposedi Toyous Who
is he? What is hesD
Il must have my tea" gasped Miss Man.
ners Il am dying for it, Yes, I'll stay
here, if you like, but I'm too shaky to be
of any use, SO I'll sit still and watch you
get it ready. Three pieces of toast, please,
and plenty of butter and lots Of milk, IL
you don't mind. hope shall be able to
bear up, but it's all very trying'-here she
burst into hysterical 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 tho
queen of the French, Marie-Ameelyi She
has a brother who saw me when / was in
my twenties and-well, admired me very
much; however, he lost sight of me alto
gether and married some one else who
died last year A fortnight ago met him
in my friends front drawing room, and he
he looked so Oddly at me l didn't know
what to do. suppose it must have been
-er-love at first sight, for have only
seen him six times since then; and he's
quite infatuated, head over heels, they
say. To-day, after luncheon at his sisters
small leg of mutton and apple tart-he
beg to speak to me alone, which he did;
and / knew no more than the dead 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
of Harlech,"a guest of wind shook and
ratified the window frames. while across
Miss Warden's mind fitted rosy little
remembrance of a half proposal she once
had from n clerk who was under her
father in the bank: how Bobbie had said.
"Could fellow and his wife live on $50
u year. UON MISS w dfuCii hhothCI
had answered the question by coming
quite suddenly in the little Chaplain con-
servatory and remarking, go to the piano,
Maria Mr. Routh, the last bus to town
leaves in fifteen minutes Poor Bobbie,
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
" 4 he
Do you remember Aunt Fanny had a per-
feet horror of MARRIAGE It's girls own
fault, she often used to tell me. If man is
impudent enough to propose to her; but
don't think that's true exactly
Il know I'd perfect horror Of Aunt
Fanny" replied Miss Manners, taking an
immense wedge of toast. "She was al
ways singularly rude to me. But now /
must talk about my trousseau. I've a
small sum laid by in my linen drawer as
you know. which I've often told you was
to be spent in burial fees by my executors
Happily can use it for something more
cheerful As l came along | made mp my
mind I'd have travelling gown from Red
fern, and rich black silk trimmed with
jet for best; and / look particularly well
in high bonnet. I wish / were a few
years younger, so that | might wear a
wreath and veil. Not that ! couldn't
have been married over and over again
long ago. but I've always said 'No'-(More
tea. please II want a truly pious hus-
band; some one who will not make an idol
of me. L love- used to be answered. 4
am wrong. and know shall he punished;
but. love. you are first in my thoughts
Now Robert-did ! tell you his name is
Robert Robert-eroJones: hut there are
some good Joneses; it's Lord Somebody's
family name. and he's related to them
loves heaven. and then / come, which b
exactly what il should be-"
what does he DO? Is he well OFF,"
al don t know that I'm lettering myself,
for like my apartments, and a man is q
bother. always wanting his linen mending.
and extra cooking and that! But he would
have me He has little house near Al
bany street, and two servants; no children,
and am thankful to say, for that would
vex me; should hate grown-up sons and
daughters 10 tussle with. Then he is a
professional man. He's a dentist; and the
case of teeth that is nailed on the pillar Of
the front door is quite picture. every one
says. think OF having new set for
nothing. All mine are going dread
fully
-oi.i well, il he makes It pay, But l
thought lie might be in the city, Your
position is so much better If you are in the
city, remarked Miss Warden.
Dear me, il isn't answered Bella.
@What an odd old-fashioned idea, must
60 for I'm Ia break the news TO four or
five people this evening. All, it seems
very sad that what gives Robert ioy un-