Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-04-14
no. answered Hii6 Warden, she Is two
doors to the right as you 60 round the cor

Il wanted to see Bella to ask her
O few questions, and - am going
into the country early tomorrow TIL the
4th of next month, I thought had better
waste no time, but come on and see her.
l want to tell herr-as he spoke he put up
his e-9lasses to look at the framed photo
graphs Il 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, Cor my servants give me . d0oss
Of lot Of trouble, and it's 90 dull for ms
all alone in my house.
1--WE no donbt said Miss Warden DO
litely, wondering why this fresh faced,
nice-looking man chose Bella Of all people
in the world. Tive no doubt I won't
offer you tea, for Of course my cousin win
give you some. You can't see the pictures
clearly. Let me hold the lamp for YOU
Il draw a bit myself, and always look
about at the works Of art people choose
to surround themselves with. 1 judge Of
their character by that, you know; but.
goodness gracions, where have I seen that
before."-pointing with his white chrysan-
themums to the pencil sketch Of q pretty
young girl, in frilled muslin gown and
and crossed cape, with her hair done in
numbers of curls on each side of the face,
and braids behind.
Mis- Warden laughed q little, and
busted the glass with her pocket hand
kerchief 1T never was very like she
said
The contrast seemed sad enough between
the bright young face in the picture, with
its wealth Of hair, and the thin, old one,
with the straight parting and decorous
cap.
@WhO did its' he asked, after . pause.
Il never knew; it was sent to me ono
Valentines Day, but I always sus-
pected-"
Bobby Routhsu said Mr.. Jones putting
his flowers ON the table, and looking at
her steadily.
Yes said the old maid in trembling
tone. did you know him at ali, Did
you ever meet him. He was in the bank
where my father was manager, and we
saw little of hiu at Chaplain; but my
mother didn't like him very much, and he
stopped calling. He was always cheerful
and nice, and SO funny. GOodlooking,
too, oh, very, with brilliant brown eyes,
and pink color like a girls. l never
knew what became of him. He left the
bank, and they do say he went to the
bad
Don't believe it,n answered Mr.. Jones,
taking the lamp from her shaking hand,
and walking towards the fire. Il know
something Of him, and he was always q
nice sort of q chap enough Could be so
easily guided l heard he had q little
money left him, for which he had to
change his name, and in fact"
Really" interrupted the old maid. @Ah,
he'll never he anything but Routh to me.
am glad he didn't 60 wrong; and he must
he 50 by now, I suppose, for shall be 50
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 / 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 second
floor"
Thank you," replied Mr.. Jones, speak
ing in curiously softened voice. May l
leave these flowers with you instead Of
taking them to your cousin? She don't
expect them, and they'll brighten up your
table Good-by. l am so glad to have
met you. Oh, yes, I'll give your love to
Bella. Please don't stand in q draught. y
Dear me-" said Miss Warden, as she ar
ranged her chrysanthemums in a MintOn
vase, that h.d been q birthday present on
the day she was IL. "How gentleman-li like
Of Mr. Jones' How well he talks. Some
people are lucky, indeed. In spite Of his
being a dentist, envy Bella. I 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, THE
Mistletoe Bough,r 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 terpida-
ton, thinking that her flowers were about
to be reft from her. Bella was bursting
with excitement still. ~He has just been
to know what sort Of engagement ring l
should like. but, as my fingers are a little
equity, said I should prefer a massive
gold bracelet instead-ain't / wise; He
has only one fault, he isn't romantic, and
do love bit of romance. When WANTED
him 10 put off going into the country to
MORROW and dine here with me lyon know
the Clements sent me . turkey foults) he
refused, for he declared he and | should
see enough of each other shortly, and he
wanted a change. l am LOt very sorry,
for there would have been double washing
up for me to do; aud after q meal like
sitting quiet, not bustling over the sink.
eat so little, as you know, but that little
must digest. or Pm nowhere. I 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 I'D not mind having three teeth
taken out by him. --("Ah," from Bella in
a proud and gratified way. And he's
tall: what tall man! You are lucky in
dzed. 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
Il 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
them" exclaimed Miss Marden. Did he
mention his name to your
-Rouih, Why, you silly girl, he is Mr..
Routh. An uncle left him little prop
erty-f2OO year it brings him in-on con-
di.ion he took the name Of Jones. Didn't
he tell YOU that, Not that 1t matters if he
didn't. As he kissed me when he was
going away, Darling, he said, don't over
tire yourself And write as often as you
can
.Bobbie Rou:h. Robert Jones, What
an extraordinary coincidence There,
Jane. go, go: can't bear any more fidget-
ins. Here's your sixpence; good night.
Yes, a merry Christmas to you, thank
YOU Bella, indeed l congratulate yOn
most heartily: for he has the finest brown
eyes and the sweetest smile
Didn't you recognize him just now, He
said you didn't: but / was sure IL you had
Your spectacles on you must have done so.
NO: lit never entered my head. am
very stupid about people I always was.
Won't you stay a little, Bella, and tell me
about him.
In dream the old maid listened to the
sound of her own voice; in dream she
heard the plaintive music Of The Mistle-
toe Bough,' and the cries OF the baby next
door, who was teething and fractions. As
Bella left her half an hour after she felt as
il the world were crumbling to pieces
round her, as if her sad. joyless, colorless
life were more than she could bear.
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