The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-11-01

| MiSo oop1fOIlld q KnOCKer gave two
distinct knocks. Her heart fluttering
with pleasure, for she had observed
the stranger through the blinds and
suspected his object, Miss Sophronia
hastened out of the room, and with
bashful timidity opened the door.
1t was young man-younger even
than the spinster was accustomed to
rate her own age. that confronted
Sophronia. He was very genteel in
appearance and department. and as
Miss Sophronia remarked, 'had an
elegant pair of whiskers,"
Il beg your pardon he said, polite-
ly. "for this intrusion, but the notice
in your window attracted me. You
have not yet let the roompr
mo, sir,'' said Sophronia. in her
most affable manner
'.May look at itp''
81 will show it to you with the great.
est pleasure. just step in this way if
you please" and she throws open the
door of the room to let
The stranger bowed and entered.
IA very pretty room, said he. '.May
inquire your termsp"
Sophronia named smaller sum than
she had intended. She liked the
young mans appearance so much that
money was of comparatively little com
sequence.
II should like to board with you
also.' said the young man.
Sophronia had no thought of that,
but it struck her at.once favorably. It
would bring them much more to-
gether, and would allow her attractions
better opportunity of impressing the
stranger. So, after brief considera-
tion, she consented to this arrange
ment, and the young man said that he
would come at once-in the course of
the afternoon.
"My name,' said he, sis Fitzroy-
Edmund Fitzroy. / think was told
| that you were called"
"Sophronia Shurtleff," said the
spinster, courtesying.
"Then good day, Miss Shurtleff.
You may expect me to tea"
"What a nice young man-what a
very nice young man. said the en-
raptured Sophronia. Hes perfectly
handsome! lift wonder how 1 i'm
pressed him. Did he like my curls,
wonder?"
She went to the glass and surveyed
with maiden satisfaction the corkscrew
ringlets, which, with infinite pains and
labor, she had manufactured for the
/ occasion.
''Such an aristocratic name too
Fitzroy," she continued. $50 much
better than Shurtleff. / wonder how
Sophronia Fitzroy would sound. Really
how well they do go together. And
who knows but they may some day.
How perfectly delightful it would be.
l must try to make him as comfortable
and happy as / can. don't want to
make a cent out of him. I'll cook all
the incest dishes know of. Let me
see, what shall / have for supper?
| guess I'll have some sponge cake and
currant pie, and grape jam and some
hot biscuit. How funny it'll seem to
sit down at the table opposite young
man. It'll be trying to my difidence,
but don't regret it,
1t was indeed nice supper Miss So
phronia set before her lodger, and if
he did not appreciate this he did not
deserve to have any.
''It's the first time / ever took
lodger," remarked Miss Sophonia at
the tea-table. my circumstances for
tunately do not require it, for I've got
considerable money in the bank, be-
sides this cottage, but it's more agreea-
BILE to have company. One gets tired
of being alone"
Yes said Mr.. Fitzroy. "As had
occasion to remark in one of my early
poems:
20, solitude, where are the charms
That sages have seen in thy facey -
'.Did you, indeed, write those inesp"
exclaimed Sophronia, enthusiastically
You don't know how i admire them.
You must be great poet, I'm sure"
t'You are very kind to say so," said
the young man, modestly. "Perhaps
II don't know-if had cultivated my
talent-but have been SO immersed in
business cares that never had time to
do so.'
'.But you ought tot is duty you
owe to the world
MIR. Fitzroy here quoted some lines
from Byron, which he modestly claimed
as the offspring of his own muse, and
which Sophronia admired with equal
enthusiasm.
The spinster was delighted with the
young man, and her good opinion was
not at all lowered by the fact that he
signified that it would be more con-
venient for him not to pay for his
board until the close of the summer,
when his dividends came in.
80, don't trouble yourself about
that, Mr.. Fitzroy," said she. "As /
before remarked, do not take you for
the profit. but only to enliven my soli-
f,,dr