Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-03-11
her ring. Whether the gentleman on

musing half smile was intended In
some degree for himself. or whether he
was charmed out OF all self.restraint by
Jessie's fresh. young face and her pref
", fall costume, was not clear; but he
lifted his hat hesitatingly. The motion
was very slight and most respectful,
but Jessie raised her chin and regarded
the young man with chilling haughti-
ness. What business had he to bow to
her3 He was extremely prcsumptuous;
he was impertinent. II that was the
habit of people in flats nothing could
be "horrider." Had she not been de-
termincdly regarding one tan.colored
kid hand, where it rested on the door
knob. she would have seen that Mr..
Sanderson's frank face had shown a
quick distress and confusion. rs he
noted the effect Of his impuisive act;
but she did not look up. Some three
minutes had passed by this time since
she had pulled the bell and she jerked
II again. impatiently. A silence Of
three minutes more, during which Jes-
sizes frown deepened.
Then Mr.. Sanderson. with rather a
timid 81 beg your pardon!" reached
across her to his own bell and pulled
il. Another pause. The door did not
open; there was not even demand
through the speaking tube Of "Who
is it?' There was profound
silence. The situation was somewhat
embarrassing. Jessie bit her lip. and
looked down at the tip of her shoe.
Then she raised her eyes to find Mr..
Sanderson's fixed upon her. There
was no help for it; they smiled. and
rather broadly. IL have not my
latch-kcy with me-" said Mr.. Sander
son, apoloSetically. lit is most UNI
fortunate. usually carry it,"
Il can't imagine what is the mat
with Nora said Jessie, indig-
nantly. "Shc must have heard the
bcll!" She gave third emphatic
jerk to the handle.
IF could attract my sisters aten-
ton" said the young man. stepping
out and looking up at the sccond.story
window. His sister. Jessie's eyes
opened wide. The idea gave new
and not unpleasant aspect to the case.
Perhaps. though. his sister was living
with them. But, no; in that case,
would he not have wished to attract his
wifc's attention rather than his sisters?
Two pennies and Il lead pencil thrown
against the window brought no re-
Spouse, however. Mr.. Sandcrson came
back into tho vcstibulc, hopclessly.
"lt's rather peculiar Situation," he
said. Were aliens and outcasts at
our own door
Jessie laughed. 81 suppose we shall
have to wait till somebody comes in
with key" she said. "How dread
full
She went on, To the top step, and
looked mp and down the street anxious
IL. Mr.. SandcrSon followed her.
"Oh. we've a last hope!" he said,
with sudden inspiration. 1--WE can
ring up the janitor." He pulled the
janitor', bell vigorously.
"What a delightful ideal" cried Jcs-
Sic; and Mr.. Sandcr>on looked fully
rewarded The janitor was good five
minute, in getting Ia the door. He
grinncd slightly u he opened it. APP
pcaring to take in the situation.
That bell wirr'> broke" he OBJ
served. indicating the row Of handles.
allow long You been ringing at 'cm:'
"Oh. not long" said Mr.. SandcrSon.
evasivcly. aud joined in Jcssic's laugh.
He raised his hat again rs he left her
at the door. and ran on upstairs; but
she did not appear to resent it-she
even smiled in return.
"lIc i, not married, after ALL" she
said to her sister, aS she took oil her
"thingN" in their room.
"Who?" said Ollie.
"Mr. Sandcrson-,he gentleman on
the second iloor," said Jessie. emphat-
ically. IL! is hi, sister who lives with
him; and he i quite pleasant.
"Jcssic Harrison" said her sister,
stcrnly. what have you been doing?"
She was not entirely satisfied when
Jessie had explained.
Did you ask him to call?" she said.
suspiciously. "Ycs, | see it in your
eye-you did. YOU dreadful girl"'
I'll didn't. said Jessie, laughing; "but
it's quite probable that | shall yet"
The Harrisons grew reconciled to
their Hat as time went on. Mr.. Harri-
son grew accustomed to the door. and
Mrs. Harrison was no longer disturbed
by her occasional encounters with the
families upstairs, and Ollie was speed
ily treasured rs to Charley Matson by
the young gcntlcmans faithful appear
ance five times week. via the horse
cars. Ii was some three weeks after
this removal that Mrs. Harrison's cook.
following a favorite custom of cooks.
suddenly deserted her. Ollie was on a
two days visit to friends just out OF
town. Mrs. Harrison was not as well
as usual. and the household burden fell
on Jessie. That young lady was capa-
bic of carrying il. She was rather
pleased with the novelty of having
every thing in her own hands. for she
would not allow her mother to assist
her in the remotest degree. She made
out bill Of fare for the day. and her
mother having smilingly approved 1t,
started out to market Immediately. On
her return. she put on her oldest dress
and took down the cook book. Lob
s,er salad was the programme for
lunch, and lobster salad OF eXcep-
tional merits was presently produced.
Ii was rather annoying, to be sure,
stopping every two or three minutes to
answer the dumb-waiter hell and call
"All right down to the grocery
mca, market, fish store and bakery
boys. but that was necessary result