Arizona republican., 1893-01-14
AN OLD MAIDS ADVICE.
How Tears Won Husband for
 Maud Oakley.

For two'whole years Capt. Jumpison had been the idol of the spinsters of Bunborough-by-the Cheery, good natured and good-looking. his private means were limited, if they existed at all, and his pay was insufficient to en- able him to indulge any of those ex- pensivc tastes which lure young men from the milJer delights of tea and tsnnis He neither hunted in winter nor played polo in summer; and he was always ready to dance half the night n. the Bunborough balls. He really was a very nice man indeed; every one agreed that he would make a very nice husband for anyone of the young ladies of Bunborough to to whom he might finally determine to offer himself; and for two years he dis tributed his favors freely, but with al- most absolute ilnpartiality.
 "Therc is safety in numbers and the towards know it." said Miss Grayson, of the Valley Cottage. to Maud Oakley, who had been unburdening her soul to her. Miss Grayson was the kindest of elderly ladies where young peoples love affairs were concerned, and Maud Oakley had known her since she (Maud, not Miss Grayson) was baby. ''Cowardsl" said Miss Grayson again under breath, and Miss Oakley sniffcd deprecatingly. She had been talking to Miss Grayson for.an hour, and had told her sympathetic listener good deal that was, ia the language of the vulgar, stale news" Miss Grayson was quite aware Gall Bunborough might have told her) that Capt Jumpi- son had quite recently shown dis tinct preference for the Oakley family. He dined therc whenever he was asked and had won Gen. Oalsley's confidence Lg delicately expressing unbounded be- lief in his stories-not always m easy task; he had been most attentive to old Mrs. Oakley during supper time at sew eral balls, anA his visits to the house for five o'clock tea had not been limit ed by invitations issaey to him or con fined to those occasions when Gen. and Mrs. Oakley were at home; but there were two Miss oaklcys, and to which ofthem Capt. Jumpison intended his attentions to ba devoted was ques- tion which Bunborough- -the-Sea would have liked to have answered. It was not strange, however. that the public were puzzled when Maud Oakley had had to confess to Miss Gravson that she had no very distinct idea whether her sister Geraldine or herself was preferred by tho rian to whom she had unreseryedly lost her heart, though she admitted she had her fears.
 ''Geraldinc has Dr.. Coverdale," said Maud. ''She wouil be quite happy with him"
 "Qnitc so,p said Miss Grayson. "It never rains but it rours,"
 Maud wondered whether it had ever s'pouredr with suitors in Miss Cray sons young days, and said nothing.
 Cant we make Dr. Coverdale pro pose to her?' said Miss Grayson.
 And Geraldine accept him?" added Maud douhtfrlly. Miss Grayson was dctcrmincd-loolsing old lady, but even she seemed to consider the project im- practicable.
 "Did you ever try boohoo with any uncy' Suld MISS GrdySOn.
 "What?" said Maud
 '-Boohoo. boohoo, boohoo," cried Miss Graysou. cxcitedly; and an elder ly lady who had selected the precise moment to bc announced by Miss Gray sons pretty little parlor maid very nearly turned and fed. She came in, however, and her impression that Miss Grayson had gone demented was con frmed by the apparently imbecile laughter with which her greeting was received.
 Maud rose 10 leave, and Miss Gray son, who had recovered her pres-n.e of mind suiiciently to inquire after her new visitors husband (he had been dead seven years), accompanied her to the front door
 Don't you understand, you silly child?" shc said, kissing her affection ately on the doorstep. ''Cry, cry, cry your eyes ont; not one of the wretches in bakers dozen of them can stand tears" And the kind old lady returned to pacify justly indignant widow; while Miss Oakley walked home. with light breaking slowly in on her as sine pondcrc tho somewhat enigmatical advice shc had received.
 Meanwhile Capt. Jumpison was sirlding down the finty road leading from the barracks to Bunborough us N he tvod on air He scarcely knew