Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-07-07
cheap" were Bella's last words, sssay 1ss.

rose IN his buttOnhOlo," she murmure0,
''and see the Chinese lantern swinging
over our heads. 1t was close on my birth
day, for he asked me when it was, and sent
me spray of flowers in white paper box
Ah"-as the inspector upstairs struck up
the wedding march-sshe has been SO vul-
gar as to tell him her news. I do believe
if Mr.. Jones hadn't turned up she'd have
married that policeman rather than no
body"
As she sat musing with copy of Dick
ens's ''Carol" open on her lap her knock
er was again assailed, but this time in such
gentle fashion that it was minute or two
before she thought it could possibly be
meant for her. Then she put her book
down, rose and opened the door to find q
tall, thin gray man on the threshold, hold
ing in his hand some white chrysan-
themums.
SIS Miss Manners here? ?" he asked.
"No," answered Miss Warden, 'tshe is
two doors to the right as you 60 round the
corner"
81 wanted to see Bella to ask her few
questions, and as I am going into the
country early tomorrow till the 4th Of
next month, thought had better waste
no time, but come on and see her. want
to tell her"-as he spoke he put up his
eyeglasses to look at the framed photo
graphs-'I shall buy her an engagement
ring as soon as can; in the mean time
she must be content with few flowers.
can't tell you how glad shall be to be
settled, for my servants give me doose of
lot of trouble, and it's so dull for me all
alone in my house."
sI've no doubt" said Miss Warden polite
ly, wondering why this fresh faced, nice
looking man chose Bella of all people in
the world. ''I've no doubt. won't offer
you tea, for of course my cousin will give
you some. You can't see the pictures
clsarly. Let me hold the lamp for you" :"
II draw bit myself and always look
about at the works of art people choose to
surround themselves with. judge of their
character by that, you know; but, goodness
gracious, where have seen that before ?"
pointing with his white chrysanthemums
to the pencil sketch of a pretty young girl,
in frilled muslin gown and crossed cape,
with her hair done in numbers Of curls on
each side of the face, and braids behind.
Miss Warden laughed little, and busted
the glass with her pocket handkerchief
"It never was very like" she said.
The contrast seemed sad enough between
the bright young face in the picture, with
it's wealth of hair, and the thin, old one,
with the stright parting and decorous
cap.
"Who did it?'' he asked, after a pause.
II never knew; it was sent to me one
Valentines Day, but always suspected"
"Bobby Routh I" said Mr.. Jones putting
his flowers on the table, and looking at
her steadily.
eyes" said the old maid in trembling
tone. "Did you know him at all Did
yeu ever meet him? He was in the bank
where my father was manager, and we saw
little of him at Clapham; but my mother
didn't like him very much, and he stopped
calling. He was always cheerful and nice,
and SO funny. Good-looking, too, oh, very,
with brilliant brown eyes, and pink color
like girls. / never knew what became
of him. He left the bank, and they do say
he went to the bad.''
"Don't believe it," answered Mr.. Jones.
taking the lamp from her shaking hand,
and walking towards the fire. 81 know
something Of him, and he was always a
nice sort of a chap enough. Could be so
easily guided. l heard he had little
money left him, for which he had to change
his name, and in fact.-'
"Really," interrupted the old maid. "Ah,
he'll never be any anything but Routh to
me. am glad he didn't go wrong; and
he must be So by now, I suppose, for I
shall be 55 in February-55, it does not
seem possible-and he was nearly four
years older. never knew much of him,
you know, Mr.. Jones, but the little I did
know liked. But this is nothing to you,
you know; can't think why began it.
Let me show you the way to Bella's rooms.
You turn out of this door to the right, and
go up the staircase till you come to the Sc
cond floor.
THANK you," replied Mr.. Jones, speak
ing in a curiously softened voice. MAY I
leave these flowers with you instead of tax
ing them to your cousin? She don't ex pect
them, and they'll brighten up your table, =
Good-by. l am SO glad 10 have met you.
Oh, yes, I'll give your love to Bella. Please
don't stand in draught.'
"Dear me-" said Miss Warden, as she ar
ranged her chrysanthemums in a Minton
vase, that had been a birthday present on
the day she was II. "How gentleman-like
of Mr.. Jones. How we'll he talks. Some
people are lucky, indeed. In spite of his
being dentist, I envy Bella. l really do
envy Bella.'
Half an hour afterwards when the char
woman's daughter was helping to tidy the
room (diffusing the while strong aroma of
peppermint and just when the waits had
begun to play under the window that most
suggestive of Christmas tunes, "Ths Mis-
tletoe Bough," Bella Manners again came
to the door, and demanded in loud tone to
be let in, with which request Miss Warden
compiled with some little trepidation, think
ing that her flowers were about to be reft
from her. Bella was bursting with excite
ment still. He has just been to know
what sort Of engagement ring I should like,
but, as my fingers are little gouty, said
I should prefer massive gold bracelet in
stead-ain't wise? He has only one fault,
he isn't romantic, and do love bit of
romance. When wanted him to put off
going into the country tomorrow and dine
here with me (you know the Clements sent
me turkey poult?) he refused, for he de-
clared ne and | should see enough of each
other shortly, and he wanted change. 1
am not very sorry, for there would have
been double washing up for me to do; and
after meal like sitting quiet, not bust
ling over the sink. I eat so little, as you
know, but that little must digest, or I'm
nowhere. l only wanted to say-what a
hideous squeaking that fiddle and cornet
keep up; wish the police would stop them
that he tells me he came to your door by
mistake, and I've run down to know what
you think of him.
$50 pleasant in manner" answered Miss
Warden. cpd not mind having three teeth
taken out by him" ."-(''Ah," from Bella in
a proud and gratided way)-"And he's
tall; what tall man! You are lucky in
deed. Jane, wash well under that table,
and don't keep stopping to listen. He gave
me these flowers" she continued, pointing
to the vase, "because he said they would
brighten the latchen, and thought it very
kind"
Unnecessary" answered Miss Manners.
too thoroughly satisfied with her own
charms and their potency to be jealous at
all. "He never mentioned that. But he
did tell me that years ago he was in the
bank with your father"
"He must have met Mr.. Routh there
then" exclaimed Miss Warier. 'Did he
mention his name to you?'' r.
'Routh? Why, you silly girl. he is Mr..
Routh. An uncle left him little property
1900 year it brings him in-on condi-
tion he took the name of Jones. Didn't he
tell you that? Not that it matters if he
didn't. As he kissed me when he was 60
I,