The evening world., 1893-09-22
HIS PRETTY MOTHER-IN-LAw.
Pumper Was in a State of Mind Until
a Friend Helped Him Out.

~ N''N1 49, N''
held a brief.
l didn't know very much about Batche-
lor, but I like the man. l would have
lent Bachelor % without security; l
mean 1t: upon m soul | mean 1t at was
Pumper who spoke as we sat smoking).
Bachelor went way for a little run
upon the continent Two Summers ago; l
saw him off. From the moment / saw
Jack Bachelor Off until yesterday l
hadn't clapped eyes upon him.
Jack Bachelor dropped out of my life,
but yesterday / mot him once again. A
very fashionably dressed woman was
on his arm, a distinctly pretty little wo-
m%an-fair, fluffy. sentimental-looking
b~lue-eyed.
She was so pretty that people turned
round to look at her; l did for one. and
as l did so I caught Bachelors eye.
At first he favored me with a furious
scowl; then, as he recognized me, his
face broke into a smile, he stopped,
he shook hands, he introduced me to
the pretty little woman as Mrs. Light
foot. and then he asked me to Inner
for the same evening at Z.
"You must come with us, Pumper."
he said, "at I sharp" He thrust a
card into my hand.
IF you don't come I'll never for
give YOU, Mr.. Pumper," said the lady.
Jacks always singing your praises"
And then she favored me with a
smile-an arch. merry, intoxicating
smile that caused my heart to palpi-
tate for a .uil quarter of an hou
Good gracious" l thought, there's a
mystery. | hate mysteries. Come and
dine with us Perhaps she is his sister.
keeping house for him: of course that's
it. He's a lucky fellow, is Bachelor!
Charming little woman" / thought;
'her sweet smile haunts me still"
was in love, sir-over head II
ears in love with Bachelors sister; and
| hummcd Queen of My Heart all the
way to Chelsea, where bachelor lived.
took an hour and a half to dress
and my fifth tie hardly Gatisfied me.
When | arrived l was shown into
Bachelors drawing-room by a trim
little maid.
There she was, on a low chair, look
ing lovelier than ever; she was wearing
a great spray of Marechal Mel roses,
and she welcomed me in the kindest
possible manne
My husband has been singing your
praises, Mr.. Pumper," she said.
f1cT HuSpdnul i nate WySleTE.
Then | thought that I had fathomed it;
I am an ingenious man. Bachelor had
taken the name Of Lightfoot-it was
Mrs. TightfootEM / began.
Mrs. Bachelor. IL you please" said
the lady, with a silvery laugh.
l was d~umfounded; he certainly in
But before l could recover, from my sur
prise the door opened and the delicious
little vision of Bond street sailed into
."sisters-twins, evidently" | thought.
were as like AS two peas: you, couldnt
tel, t'other from, which. Hang IT,,
he were married to both of them"
And then Bachelor came in and we
had a capital Dime and were as Jolly
as sandboys. After dinner he explained
things.
%.pumper.' he said. the very day
I met Mrs. Bachelor and her charming
once. Mrs. I.ightfoot's a pretty woman,
as you sec. but in Widows monrnihs
she's absolutely irresistible. was de.
termined to propose at once, but couldn't
two bundles of hay, | h~esitated. q,
Should it be Angela or Angelina? l
could never get either Of them alone lone
one evening and l found Mrs. Lightfoot,
buried in thought. gazing on the beau-
| ties of the Summer night. l made up
my mind at once; | would propose IN
form.
gela's grief might be too recent; would
be ambiguous; would leave a way Of
at once ask for the hand of Angelina.
Mrs. Lightfoot,' | said. sentimen-
tally, seating myself at her side. this is
madam, do you never l said-and
Gus whisper-think of-um-ar-mar-
"e'oh, Mr.. Batchelor.' she replied. and
there were tears in her voice, my re-
cent loss
"'Yor mistake, me, my dear Mrs,
Lishtfooti, | us said; !, t Safs4snt the to cue Son at
charming daughter that ! spoke
Angela gave a little start of surprise
as ! said tie words. o,,,,
gelina?--has inspired me with feelings
tnat are more easily imagined than de,
scrihed. IT, | went on, the devotion OF
II lifetime'--
Say no more, burst in AnGelao 81
impulse; my first instincts never misieaC
She SS; J., sS yer love yoa ApFe ahs is Mo- no, F saysntsen
Bless you! YOU may be happy!
II married Angelina within q month
Punper. I'm well off, Sos Angelina
SOS Ansela-I mean Mrs. LtShtfoot: anC
then my troubleS began.
MY mother-ir-law is atrociously good
looking, as you have seen. She threw
off her mourning on our w~edding-day
she's p creature of impulse, as she toll,
line, she tiirts ~outraseouSly; my who'll
time Is occupied in preserving my good
looking mother-in-law from the conse
quences OF her own ttightiness.
Ssh persists in going everywhere.
have to StaY up at dances till 4 o'GloCl
in the morning. because Angela meal
Mrs. LightfoOt- declares that I'm he
natural protector. and it's my duty.
have 10 be continually threatening WIFI
personal violence fellows who perseeut
her with their attentions. It's NOR
than flesh and blood can bear, PumpeI
and I'm sick of it,
shes a very charming little woman
Bachelor" | remarked.
"Of course she is" said Bachelor
sulkily; "a great deal too charming. II,
love! Pumper," he continued, as
blushcl to my ears, you are-yeS, o
course You are-you are her latest vic
tim. My dear old man. he cried, grasp
ing my band a~ffcctiunatoly. there's
wealth or love about my mOther-!n-lay
sufficient to rendc the rest of vour mo
notonous and ~ill-sT"nt life deiiriousl
happy. We understand each other: lie
us Join the ladies' at once
'rNes" said pumppT "a he hnle m