The Somerset reporter., 1889-12-05

have seen more impolite things than
telephone With this tribute she crossed
the room and regarded herself in mir
ror. She shook her head, aud shrewd
look stole over her face.
Fifty last birthday" she murmured
81 NAV be vain, probably am; bu, amt
quite vain enough to believe all that. |
may be green aud from the country, pro-
badly am; but | know as well as | want
TO known that that individual wasn't
struck all of heap by either o. them
photos Henry's got. That one with the
mitts-well, 1t has got "a kind of dignity,
II allow; but that standing one | always
did contend had II cast in the eye. No
my line gentlemen, you've heard about
my property I'm just as sure of it as II
you admitted 1t this minute. I'll let you
come, | suppose cant help it but you'll
md there won't be any holding in arms.
Mercy what would Henry say? wouldn't
have him know for a farm. Why, he'd
tease me into"
What is that Aunt Deb? said a voice
at the door. you have lived alone too
long, else you wouldn't be talking aloud
to yourself in this fashion"
Why, Henry Midway. you gave me
such turn - exclaimed his aunt, facing
about, and then sinking into chair
Don't tell me its dinner time. Where has
this morning gone TOT"
81 am glad the time has seemed short.
| feared you might be dull, as Isabel had
TO leave you. All, there she is now" as
his wife appeared at the door. where
Is Rose, my dear?"
Yes, where is Rose?" responded Mrs.
Midway, with annoyance. II believe l
will make no more effort to meet her un-
til we hear. If a telegram arrives they
will telephone it from the office. Any
news from the telephone while | was out,
Aunt Deborahi'
Miss Phipps perturbation showed in
every feature.
at rang once or twice. Yes-no-yes
Mrs. Midway pitied her embarr ass-
ment, Il ought not to have troubled you
with it," she said II forgot that you
were probably not used to them. You
say it rang?
"Oh-yes. 1t certainly did ring, Ahem !"
"Did you attempt to answer it?"
"Well,' said Miss Deborah, her fingers
working nervously, II didn't say much.
l didn'i give it any encouragement. l
Mr.. Midway smiled. The question is,
was there any news from the telegraph
Officer
Mo- replied Miss phlpps, with
relieved air, mot word was said about
telegraph Office"
"Or telegram
"Or telegram"
Then said Mrs. Midway, signing,
1--WE may as we'll 20 to lunch, Did the
person at the telephone want meY she
added.
NO"
why, speak out, Aunt Deborah" said
her nephew, with kindly impotence
"Why so mysterious? What was wanted
at the telephoncr
Il do not think Aunt Deborah quite I'M
derstood,' suggested bis wife, pleasantly
1--WE will show her about it?'
al did understand. | understood very
WELL, replied Miss Phipps, with con
scious air; bnt the gentlemen, at the
telephone wanted me-that is, +" she added
hastily, me wanted TO speak TO me.7
Her lips sna )ped together. Not word
more of her secret, of her tremendous
prospect for the evening, would she dis
close.
Her nephew gave soft whistle. par
don us, Aunt Deborah he said with an
irreverent wink at his wife. "Why didn't
you say SO in the first placer
swell, faint best to talk too much,
observed Miss Phipps. al judge you're
eXpectin' company" she added, priding
herself on the self-posscssion with which
she changed the subject, as they seated
themselves at table.
"Only my sister," replied Mrs. Med
way, with sigh.
Miss Deborah wondered how any one
could sigh who possessed such table linen
and such glass she took advantage of
her hostess preoccupation to rub the
oxdized handle of her fork on her nap
kin.
at does seem to me-" she reflected,
THAT with three servants | would man
age to keep my forks bright, Good,
handsome silver goin' to ruin. Its
shame. Queer, Henry don't notice it.
WHAT that You were sayin, Isabel,
aloud.
"Only that Rose is sad responsible
ty," said Mrs. Midway, shaking her
head.
Eyes, if is little family secret we
shall have to let you into, Aunt Deb, and
know your discretion is to be trusted
said Mr.. Midway. "Our sister Rose Is
engaged to her guardian.
Not quite, Henry" objected his wife.
"Well, he has proposed to her, and we
wish her to accept him. He is well
placed, reliable man
"How old is she?' inquired Miss Phipps
Nineteen"
ENTIRELY too young to know her own
4 tnIt tote
1.-The worst of il is, grumbled Mr..
Medway, "she is precious sure she does
know her own mind. She claims that
she is Ia love with nobody of young
fellow to whom we are all opposed. In
the first place, he is poo. as church
mousse"
"And a relative, though distant inter
rupted Mrs. Midway, hastily.
Eyes, yes. Third cousin, believe
"Second cousin, once removed, Henry.
A third cousin we might consider"
Mr.. Midway nodded. 1--WE think We
may have some trouble with her TINS
time" he said, reflcctively. 1--WE mean
to be gentle, but firm firm, eh, Isabel"
"Yes, oh yes, it is necessary returned
his wife, sitting sigh.
After lunch Miss phipps, finding herself
again alone, 1eIl lnIo IeFeIy. III VAN CIV
dubbed the unknown contidence-man,
swindler, ct cttera; it pleased her vanity
to think upon him aud to recall the fer
vent voice. But her thoughts, exhilarat-
ing as they WERE could not keep her
awake. 1t was her regular hour for a
nap, and unconscously, all at once, her
head rested against her cushioned chair
and she slipped away into dreamland.
She dreamed that evening had come,
and with 1t her hero. She went, all in Il