The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-08-12
MRS, DENVER'S LODGER.

Mis-. DcAfCA, PAAP
iron Of some fye-and-forty autumns,
looked with a glance Of admonishing re-
proof at her niece, who sat on 9 low
diyan. with dropping brown curls, vel
yety dark eyes, humid with tears ana
a cherry lip pouting ominously.
Josie Denver was very pretty, with
the fresh, sparkling beauty of eighteen
and Josie Denver was in love, and, al
all the world knows, the current OF true
love never does run smooth; hence the
tears, and the crimson flush on the
cheeks, and the trembling Of the pout-
ed lip. .. -5~ &c.,. ";
II love him, Aunt"
.Loye! What nonsense! There isn't
any such feeling, except in story papers
and sensational novels. It's all simple
respect and esteem" -,
But Josie knew better; she only Dit
her lip, and thought Of Frank Elnng-
toms long impassioned words.
did Aunt Denver know of love!
Hes a poor lawyer" went on Aunt
Denver, with not practice enough 10
starve On, and I can't let you enter on
a life of care and drudgery, with your
pretty face and boarding school educa-
ton. I'm astonished at Frank Ening-
toms nresumption. and still more as
tonished at you for allowing 1t. 50
now get your embroidery, md think no
more about this child's play
Josie took up her embroidery, accord
ing to orders, but as the rest OF Aunt
Denyer's commands, she internally re-
solved to take her W way about IL.
She had contided to Frank Eulngton
her trials on the subject OF Aunt Den-
ver's systematic opposition, and a
had hidden her "cheer up and never
mind the old Turk" But it was SO
easy to talk.
"Hush" cried Mrs. Denver, suddenly
starting up and dropping her Inevitable
stocking darning. wasn't that a ring
ut the door bell? As true as l ive ana
breathe it was, and I wouldn't a DIT
wonder if it was a ledger for our best
front ROOM"
A lodger it was; a brisk old gentle.
man, with a shining brown wig. ana
blue spectacles, and a yellow silk hand
kerchief tied in multitudinouS folds
round his throat, August weather
though it was, while in his two u
he held respectively. a colossal SILK
umbrella and an apoplectic handbag. y,
II see you have rooms to let, ma'am,"
said the old gentleman, noddlng to-
ward the papered notice to that effect
which adorned the left hand side OF
the door.
eyes, sir; a sitting room and Q bed
room."
"Can I look at them?'
ooh, certainly, sir. Josie! here, Josie!
Come and show the rooms"
Josie obeyed unwillingly enough,
while the old gentleman trotted after
her like an overgrown spaniel.i
II hope your rooms face the
said the old gentleman. 9" couldn't
think Of any other aspect, on account OF
my rheumatism"
due south, sir" said Mrs. Denver.
"A bed room and a sitting ROOM"
Eyes, yes," commented the lodger-
elect, land very nice rooms they seem
to be. I hope you don't keep a cat,
ma'am-Tye an antipathy to cats"
mo, sir"
"No public school in the neighborhood
with bawling children? Nor engine
house,"
mo sir"
styyyN>,+S &1,o rrsan2 S
"Twelye dollars a week, sir, includ-
ing gas and fire"
"rn take the rooms, and here's a
months pay in advance" said the old
gentleman, promptly. "My trunks
shall be sent tonight. Is this your
daughter, ma'am"
my niece, sir"
"a nice girl" was the approving an
swer. lots Of beaus, I'll go bail"
Mrs. Denver pursed up her lips prim-
~.
mo, sir; my niece is too sensible for
any such folly"
Josie only pouted and blushed.
The new ledger was duly installed in
the sitting room and bed room, and
Mrs. Denver rejoiced in spirit.
Its so much better than If he were
a silly sentimental young spark, put
ting all sorts Of nonsense in that feath-
er head Of Josie's," she thought.
The weeks crept on, and the old gen.
tleman read his newspaper, and puffed
away at his meerschaum, and went
/ toddling off daily to business" and
paid his bills with q regularity which
filled Mrs. Denver's heart with delight.
There's a ledger for you" she said,
e%xultantly. Il just wish he'd keep the
rooms forever!"
1t was a bright October evening when
MI. Wiggleton sent for Mrs. Denver to
come up to his room.
Dear mel" thought tho futtered
housekeeper; whatever can the matter
be? It's too bad. I believe he's going
to find fault with your guitar practice,
Josie"
II can't help it," said Josie, piteously:
II must get on with my guitar lessons"
Mrs. Denver obeyed the unwonted
summons. Mr.. Wiggleton, who was
sitting in a big chair, cleaning his meer.
schaum with q bit Of channels, laid
dow his work, and solemnly adjusted
his blue speotacles.
Mrs. Denver" he said, I'm thinking
of being married"
"And leaving me, sir? calculated the
housekeeper, with falling heart.
1T won't be necessary, ma'am, to
leave you"
"Oh, indeed, sir! Then you will bring
your wife here?"
my bride will be here already.
ma'am. It's Miss JOSIE"
"My Josie!"
Yes, ma'am, your josie"
Mrs. Denver's heart thrilled with
pride and qualification. ~
I'm sure, sir, Josie will be very
much fattered." va
Would you kindly speak to her.
ma'am, and, as it were, break the Ice
for me2 You sea I'm rn+l,a~ N9