The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-06-03

lVl0g incense wnlcn UOaUeu arOunu WHdI
had once been my heart, as l raised my
hands in mute benediction over his black
curls and her golden hair.
Igathered from their conversation that
the golden haired girl was Matilda's niece.
He was called Dick, and her name was
Emily. further gathered that she was
dependent on Matilda, who ruled with
The rod of iron wherewitl she had ruled
ne in the days of old, Ihen was ex-
pected either not to sm~ Ike or to do so
without spelling the curtains.
Matilda. it appeared, had resolved
never to consent to Dick and Emily's
marriage, which was just what might
have been expected from Matilda.
Matilda had gone to bed with cotton
wool in her ears and a cold in her nose.
And poor Dick had crept down the area,
and cook haG let him in to spend a few
minutes with the beloved one, just to re-
new their vows and comfort each other
He was full of hope. The world was
hard, he said, but love was stronger than
the world or even death itself, and he
would conquer the world, and they would
live happily ever after in a suburban
villa, without being afraid of even tax
collector. Then he somewhat sorrow
fully, forall his brave words, went away,
and Emily, her face buried in the sofa,
prayed for something to soften that part
of Matilda's anatomy which she called
heart.
felt phantom tear steal down where
my nose should have been. Then 1 laid
my feshless hand on Emily's shoulder
and pressed a shadowy kiss upon her
fair, white forehead Don't be afraid,
my DEAR" 1 said softly. "Pll tackle
Matilda; she can't hurt me-now;" and
was upstairs before Emily could give
more than startled little scream and
hide her face in the sofa cushions.
Isuppose it was rather rude thing to
enter lady's room at that hour, espe-
cially as hadn't been invited to do SO,
angry with Matilda. She had made me
miserable on earth for 90 years, and now
she was carrying on the same sort of
thing with these young people. Iperched
on the rail at the foot of the bed, and
tried to prevent my teeth from chatter
ing.
Matilda sat up in bed with the wool in
her ears and stocking tied around her
head. AS a preliminary proceeding, 1
blew out the wool. 1t is favorite trick
of you mortals to stuff things in your
ears, and not listen.
A fire burnt cheerfully in the CRATE.
(Matilda always could take care of her.
self.) On her little round table stood a
bottle labelled "The Mixture. To be
taken as before" 1t smelt Tin spite of
Disgusting peppermint like something 1
had tasted-something with an aroma
at bachelor parties when was alive. !
reached over, and, forgetting my physi.
cal limitations, drank some. Yes, was
right; it was much stronger than pep
pernlint. 1t ran down over the bed,
but, fortunately for me, Matilda failed to
notice it.
AS 1 scurried back to the bedrail, Ma
tilda saw me and groaned. (Matilda was
always rude). She appeared to be terri
bly, frightened. "It's only me. Matty,"I
said, thinking the endearing diminutive
"Matty" might soothe her. "It's only me.
I've just dropped in for quiet chat
from up there.
Matilda's wrinkled and ill tempered
old face turned white. She tried to hide
in the clothes, but wouldn't let her.
"Fm-1'm afraid it is rather indelicate,
Matty," said. But I'm here on busi-
ness, and it won't keep. It's no use
screaming for anyone. They can't turn
me out.
Matilda recovered. THAT woman al.
ways had plenty of nerve.) ats you, is
it?" she said, as if she didn't think much
of me. "I-I fancied you'd gone to a
place where they couldn't give up smok-
ing"
Just like Matty. Always ungenerous,
always unforgiving. 1t made me feel
alive again just to hear her shrewish
tones She evidently wasn't bit afraid
of me now. That made the whole scene
seem natural at once.
"Just explain what you mean by com.
ing in at this hour. If you'd been alive
you would not have dared. I'd have
scratched your eyes out. :"
"True enough" I said meditativeIy.
"I should have been frightened. Time
hasn't softened you much, Matty."
"No," she said. "Pm tough as old red
sandstone If you don't go away I'll
throw things at you. What do you
want?"
"Only one thing,"I said. "How do
you do it? Two and three-quarter pei
cent Goschens?"
"Nevery you mind, " she snapped. "You
left me the money"
"Yes, said, thoughtfully nursing my
left leg and balancing myself in an airy
attitude on the rail, just to let her see
that wasn't frightened. ayes, 1 did.
That's what I've come about.
"Well. you can't have it, she replied.
"You'd better be off. If you come again
I'll prosecute you. You never did have
any sense of propriety when you were
alive"
always hasty, Matty. All, me! what
an escape had"
She sat up in bed angrily "Ifyou don't
go I'll have you turned out"
"If you're not quiet I'll compromise
you, Matty,"I said. "You rigid Yves.
leyans don't like scandal, and I'll ma
terialize myself. How doyou like that?'
"If you take the same shape you once
had" 4" she replied, II shouldn't like it al
all. What d'you want?"
"Only one thing-charming turban
you're wearing, Matty. There was al
ways something Oriental in your style OF
beauty. Oh, yes; it was just trife