Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-11-14
THAT COSY COTTAGE.

sThe most disagreeablc month in the
year, Mr.. Beavoir."
al always did detest March, Miss Sin
ger"
And then they bowed politely and
passed each other on the stairs-he going
down to the cherries boarding house
dining-room, she going up to her cheer
less boarding house bedroom.
In the latter apartment she removed
her hat, cloak, and sedatc business dress,
bathed her face and hands, brushed her
hair. and slipped into dark blue wrap
per which had some soft issc ruching at
the throat an6 wrists. AS she took up
her handkerchief and book from the
dressing case she paused, gravely regard
ing the reflection in the mirror.
Not very youthful! face that which
the glass gave back to her, for Miss Sin
ger was thirty-two If she was day
A pleasant face though, even if little
too thin and palo for beauty. The fca-
tures were delicately cut; the eyes were
w blue, very clear, very bright; the
waHy hair, brushed back from the smooth,
broad brow, was glossy as brown satin.
sits pity, Elsiel" she said to her
self, solcmnly-''it's an awful pity you
are an old maid. You would so love
home, and you do so hate business and
boarding houses"
She sighed, turned away, went to the
window and looked across the street. as
she mad done many an evening Of late, ut
n bit Ola brand-new pretty little house
just nearing completion.
Only six roomsl Whata pretty, cosy,
picturesque little place it was, and cheap,
too-only three pounds amonth. How
she wished she could take it'll Well why
not2
She started, smiling US the query
forced itself upon her.
Why not, indeed She had fifty
pounds saved; she was earning good
salary at Wright 6 Dever's publishing Of
flee. Her hours were casy-from nine
till four. She would have long, delight
full evenings to spend in q home, in a lit
tie room that was all her very own. Lone
ly9 Yes, she might find it trihc lonely,
but not more SO than here, where she
found no congenial spirits. She could
ask up occasionally some of the girls from
: the office who were fricndlcss MS she, and
what ten and what chats could not they
have together!
And it was very strange fact that
while in the upper window of that tall,
gloomy, priseplike boarding-housc, Miss
Elsie Singer stood and gazcd at the little
: SBegNsSxith Il happy aad dreamful sense
of possession, ut the lower window, the
drawing-room window, Mr.. Henry Bca-
voif looked through the drab, clustering
March dusk at the same small domicilc,
with momentarily growing resolution
to rent that house the very next day, and
take up his bachelor residence therein.
&c Once ON q time, unused Mr.. Bcavoir,
"I would have scorned the idea of living
alone. But somehow or other I've let
the years slip away from me, and now
now Pm too old and ugly to ask any girl
to marry me. OF course I'll keep a cook
good one, too. can afford that. 1t
is time took comfort out of money. for
I have some, even if 1 do live in second
class boarding house. There is a garden
over there. I'd cultivate that. 1 always
was fond of flowers, especially gillyflow-
crs and pansies."
When the surper-bell rang he hurried
out into the hall, only to find Miss Sing
err tripping down the stairs in the arrest
manner imaginable.
81 had no idea it was so latcl" she
said, and her voice had quite new ring
in it.
"Nor l." he answered, with n cordial
smile. az got to thinking of flowers
4 of my mothers garden. Arc you fond
4 of flowers, Miss Singcr2"
They were now seated opposite each
other at the long, narrow table.
sam II Oh, yes, indeed, particularly
q fond of verbena and sweet peas"
'And gilly1owers2" venturcd Mr..
lBeavoir.
Il ooh, yes, of gillyhowers, tool'
az Then ensucd quite an animated con-
l3yersation. Mis- Singer made the discov-
lery than Mr.. Beavoir's mother had always
PRAISED extraordinarily fine pansies, and
$$SMr. Beay%ir discovered that Miss Sing
Gers father had shared his particular pen
Schant for sweet peas. The talk on fori-
Eulture and similar other tastes was con-
sfinued in the drawing-room, and when,
ht ten, they regretfully parted, it was
ffyith the consciousness of having spent
their first pleasant evening in Mrs.
35afrys clearinghouse. But alas for
$She cloud which was to arise and shadow
3he beauty of their budding friendship.
yhen,s the next day, after his lunch, Mr..
Peayoir walked over to the office of Baird
IN Briefly, and entered their waiting
Noon, he was in excellent humor with
he world in general and Henry Beavoir
particular. A lady, seated in leathern
3hair by The Windows trim little lady,
3eep in perusal of the evening paper
lauced careessly up as he entered.
I That stout, medium-statured figure, In
be friezc oyercoat and high-silk hat
bat fair, almost youthful face, With a
Hight moustache Surely it was-yes,
Sdeed, none other than--her fellow
Sdger
reeollection of their pleasant chat
e Previous evening REQUIRED to her.
She bowed and smiled.
f3|H ft A hooutifr1 dow Mr