The Dickinson press., 1893-08-05
MRS. DENVER'S LODGER.

en- to reason
Mrs. Denver, a plump, specialized ma
iron of some five-and forty autunns,
looked with Il glance of admonishing re-
proof ut her niece, who sat OH Il low
divan. with dropping brown curls. vel
vety dark eyes. humid with tears. and
Il cherry lip pouting ominously.
Josie Denver was very pretty. with
the fresh. sparkling beauty of eighteen.
and Josie Denver was in love. and, as
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-
cd lip.
Il love him. Aunt"
Love! What nonsense! There isn't
any such feeling. except in story papers
and sensational novels. Its all simple
respect and esteem"
But Josie knew better: she only bit
her lip. and thought of Frank Filing
tons long impasSioned words. What
did Aunt Denver know of love?
Hes Il poor lawyer" went on Aunt
Denver, with not practice enough To
starve on. and l can't lot YOU enter on
IL life of care and drudgcry. with your
pretty face and boarding school eluca-
ton. I'm astonished at Frank Filing
toms presumption. and still more as
tonishcd at you for allowing it. So
now get your embroidery, and think no
more about this child's play"
Josie took UP her embroidery, accord
ing to orders. but as the rest of Aunt
Denver's commands, she internally re-
solved to take her own way about it.
She had contidcd to Frank Ellington
her trials on the subject of Aunt Den
vcr'S systematic opposition, and Frank
had hidden her cheer up and v
mind the old Turk" But it was so
easy To talk.
"IIush!' cried Mrs. Denver, suddenly
starting up and dropping her inevitable
stocking darning. Wasn't that Il ring
ut the door bell? AS true as L live and
breathe it was. and l wouldn't Il bit
wonder if it was Il lodgcr or our best
front ROOM"
A lodger it was; Il brisk old gentle
man. with Il shining brown wig. and
blue s%pcctuclcs. and a yellow silk hand
kcrrhief tied in multitudinous folds
round his throat. August weather
though it was, while in his two hands
he held respectively Il colossal SILK
umbrella and an apoplcctic handbag.
II see you have Don to lot. ma an"
| said the old gentleman, noddlng to-
ward the papercd notice to that effect
which adorned the left hand side OF
the door.
Yes, sir; Il sitting % IL a bed
ROOM
Can l look at thcm?'
"Oh, certainly, sir. Josie! here, Josie!
Come and show the rooms
Josie obcyed unwillingly enough,
while the old gentleman trottcd after
her like an ovcrgrown spaniel.
II hope your rooms face the SOUTH
said the old gentleman. II couldn't
think of any other aspect, on account of
my rheumatism"
Due south, sir said Mrs. Denver.
"a bed room and Il sitting room.
Yes. YES commented the lodEer
elect, and very nice rooms they seem
to be. hope you don't keep Il cat,
ma'am-Tve an a%ntipathy to cats"
mo. sir .
mo public school in the neighborhood
with bawling children? Nor engine
house,
mo sir"
whats the price?"
"Twclve dollars Il week, Sir, lnclud-
ing gas and fire.
5"IIl take the rooms. and here's a
months pay in advance" said the Old
gentleman, promptly. My trunks
shall be SEN tonight. Is this your
daughter, ma'am?'
My niece, sir"
"a nice girl" was the approving a
swer. Lots of beaus, I'll so bail"
Mrs. Denver purscd UP her lips prim-
mo, sir; my niece is too sensible for
any such folly"
Josie only pouted and blushed:
The new lodgcr was duly installed IN
the sitting o and bed room, and
Mrs. Denver rcjoiced in spirit.
Its so much better than if he were
a silly sentimental young spark. put
ting all sorts of nonsense in that fcath
or head of J~oSic's," she thought.
The weeks crcpt on, and the old gen
tleman read his newspaper, and putfc(
away at his mecrschaum, and wen
toddlins Off daily to business ant
paid his bills with a regularity which
filled Mrs. Dcnvcr's heart with delight
.'Therc's Il ledger for you!' she said
cxultantly. II just wish he'd keep thu
rooms forever"
1t was IL bright October evening whel
! MI. Wigglcton sent for Mrs. Denver Il
l come up to his room.
: Dear me!" thought the fiuttcrct
7 housckeeper; 'whatcycr can the matte
} be? It's too bad. l believe he's goin!
to find fault with your guitar practice
' Josie"
II can't help it," said Josie, p~itcously
81 must get on with my guitar lessons.
Mrs. Denver obcyed the unwontc
!, summons. Mr.. Wigglcton. who wa
, sitting in a big chair, cleaning his mecl
y schaum with IL bit . of channels. lai
y dow lbs work, and solcmnly adjusts
: his blue %spcctncles.
/. Mrs. Denver" he said, I'm thinkin
:, of being married"
= = And leaving mt, sir? calculated til
i hcusekceper, with failing heart.
lit won't be necessary, ma'am,
: leave you."
e "Oh, indeed, sir! Then you will brin
= your wife here
4 MY bride will be here abroad!
S ma'am. It's Miss Josie"
L My JoSic!!"
Yes. ma'am. your Josie"
Mrs. Denver's heart thrilled wit
G pride and qualification.
I'm sure. sir. Josie will be yer
t much 1attercd."
G would YOU kindly speak to lie
ma'am. and. rs it were. break the ic
e for me? You sec I'm rather advance
III years. and I'm not used to this Sol
Of thing"
Certainly. sir-oh certainly" erie
g Mrs. Denver. smoothing her apron. =
q shall be honorcd."
She went down stairs rs fast rs
there were no such things as ncuralgi
D pains. or stiff old bones. i'll all the worl'
r to where Josie sat reading in the lit