Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-10-28
- MOTHER

the same floor in Vellum buildings-we
were both barristers, you know. but neither
of us had ever held brief.
didn't know very much about Bachelor,
but liked the man. / would have lent
Bachelor e5 without security. I mean 1t
upon my soul, mean it. ct was Pump
er who spoke, as we sat smoking)
Bachelor went away for little run upon
the continent two summers ago. 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 met him once again. A
very fashionably dressed little woman was
on his arm, a distinctly pretty little woman
fair, fluffy, sentimental locking, blue
eyed. ....
She was so pretty that people turned
round to look at her. did for one, and as
did SO caught Bachelors eye.
At first he favored me with a furious
scowl. Then, as he recognized me, his face
broke into smile. He stopped, he shook
hands, be introduced me to the pretty little
woman as Mrs. Lightfoot, and then he
asked me to dinner for the same evening
att
you must dine with us, Pumper," he
said. "Seven sharp" He thrust card in
to my hand.
IF you don't come, I'll never forgive you,
Mr.. Plumper," said the lady. Jacks al
ways singing your praises"
And then she favored me with smile
an arch, merry, intoxicating smile, that
caused nay heart to puipitatu FUR full a
quarter of an hour.
Good graciousl' thought, 'here's a
mystery. I hate mysteries. Come and
dine with u.s. Perhaps she is his sister,
keeping house for him; Of course that's it,
He's a lucky fellow, is Bachelor! Charm
ing little woman" / thought; "her sweet
smile haunts me STILL"
was in love, sir-over head and ears in
love-with Bachelors sister, and ]
hummed "Queen of My Heart" all the way
to Chelsea, where Bachelor lived.
l took an hour and half to dress, and
my fifth tie hardly satisfied me. When
arrived, was shown into Bachelors draw
ing room by trim little maid.
There she was, on a low chair, looking
loyelier than ever She was wearing a
great spray Of Marechal Mel roses, and
she welcomed me In the kindest possible
manner
my husband has been singing your
praises, Mr.. Pumper," she said.
Her husband! hate mystery.
Then thought that 1 had fathomed 1t.
am an ingenious man. Bachelor had ev-
identity come into money. He had taken
the name of Lightfoot. It was all as plain
as pikestaff.
MRS. Lightfoot," began.
Mrs. Bachelor, if you please" said the
lady, with silvery laugh.
was dumfounded. He certainly intro
duced her to me as Mrs. Lightfoot. But
before could recover from my surprise the
door opened, and the delicious little vision
of Bond street sailed into the room.
"Sisters-twins evidently" thought,
attempting to grasp the situation. They
were as like as two peas-you couldn't tell
t'other from which. Hang it," thought
"Batchelor must feel as if he were married
to both of them"
a capital dinner and were as jolly as sand
boys. After dinner he explained things.
''Pumper," he said, "the very day after
parted from you two years ago met Mrs
Bachelor and her charming mother. fell
in love with them at once Mrs. Lightfoot's
pretty woman, as you see, but in widows
mourning she's absolutely irresistible !
was determined to propose at once, but
couldn't make up my mind. Like the ass
between two bundles of hay, I hesitated.
Should it be Angela or AngelinaP !
could never get either of them alone That
was my difficulty. Fortune favored me at
last. Invent into the hotel garden one even
ing, and found Mrs. Lightfoot buried in
thought, gazing on the beauties OF the sum-
mer night. made up my mind at once. ]
| would propose in form.
"But she mig 1t care for me. Angela's
grief might be too recent. would be am
| biguous. l would leave way Of retreat
open-should 1t be so, l would at once ask
for the hand Of Angelina.
"'Mrs. Lightfoot,' said sentimentally,
seating myself at her side, this is vale Of
| tears. Do you never, my dear madam, do
YOU never said-and I lowered my voice
to an amorous whisper-'think of-um-ah
-marriages'
"'Oh, Mr.. Batchelorp she replied, and
there were tears in her voice, my recent
loss'-
"'You mistake me- my dear Mrs. Light
foot said, taking the cue at once; 1t was
in reference to your charming daughter
that spoke
"Angela gave little start of surprise as
said the works.
"'Your charming daughter I continued.
Miss LiQhtfoot-may I say Angelina,-
has inspired me with feelings that are mors
easily imagined than described. IT, !
went on. the devotion of a lifetime'-
".Say no more burst in AnRela-I mean
Mrs. Lightfoot-'I am woman of impulse
INV first instincts never mislead me. YOU
love Angelina, Mr.. Batchelors She Is very
Young: she is not II. Bless you! may YOU
be happyp
~ married ANGELINA within a month