Middletown transcript., 1894-07-07

since be has been in thehou &c." said
she. NY sister and 1 do not mingle
with our lodges. Hanna acts as our
agent"
Mary laughed.
"You're SO queerl' said she. "How
ever, it don't matter; I'd as soon ask
him myself. l wonder what salary he
would pay2"
The tears were dried ou her canine
cheeks now her eyes sparkled and her
enchanting lips we're wreathed in
| in smiles.
Miss Milly eyed her cuIiously. Yes,
that was the face, those were the melt
ing glsnces, that could not but fascin-
ate any man alive!
Did the professor really care for this
beautiful, soulless Undine-the pro-
fessor, who had been Millicent's beau
ideal, her chevalier sans peur ct sans
reproche, when he and she were young
on the shores Of Lake Poutchartrainp
Yes, this was Miss Milly's secret
the one of her almost forgotten youth.
Professor Mellen had been studying
at Heidelberg when her stepfater, Doc
tor Maurande, had died and left her.
self and Martha poor. They had
counted their small possessions, consid-
cred every side of the question, and
finally decided on coming North to in
vest their little all in a lodging house.
They had dropped the name of their
| mothers second hus-
band and became the Misses Duluth
again in the new life which they faced
SO boldly.
And when, by one of those strange
condolences which happen as often in
real life as in novels, Prof. Mellen en-
gagged the first floor suit of rooms at -
Murray Place, because it was suffi-
ciently near to the Astor Library to
enable him to prosecute bis literary
work to good advantage, he never
knew who his landlady was.
Milly he never saw. Martha wore
spectacles, and looked ten years older
than her actual age.
81 don't careln said Miss Milly to
to herself. Let Mary Redwyn have
him if she can win him!''
That very evening, however, Miss
Redwyn came home from the advertis-
ing bureau, where she had been to
register her name, with severe head
ache and high fever.
"I'm glad now We didn't let her
co." said Miss Milly. ''The child has
no one belonging to herP"
"Who is to take care of her?' asked
Miss Duluth, wringing her hands.
81 will," Miss Millp answered.
This was in the early spring. The
June roses were in blossom when Miss
Milly was herself, having been also i'll,
first sat up in her big cushioned chair
and viewed herself in a looking-glass.
SLOW funny | look, !" said she, with
my face SO white ard all my hair cut
offl Oh, must have been very sick!'
You almost died." said Miss Red
wyn. And | was SO glad when | got
we'll enough to take care Of you, be-
cause | knew you had risked your life
for me-"
"And the ludgers?"
Miss Milly reused herself once more
to active interest in the affairs of the
outside world.
They've AL gone," said Miss
Duluth. ''Of course you couldn't
expect them to stay in house where
typhoid fever was raging"
Except Professor Mellen," said
Miss Redwyn, with toss Of the red
gold rings which we're beginning to
grow out where they had cut away her
splendid coils and waves of hair. "He's
perfect herol Not afraid Of anything!
Look, Miss Milly, he sent these
roses"
Miss Milly glanced up at her sister.
Eyes," said Martha, answering the
look, she has discovered who we were.
l never saw man so astonished as he
was"
"And, oh,' cried Miss Redwyn,
"I've such a secret TO tell you! Pm
engaged"
Just then the doctor came In; but
Miss Milly caught moment to press
Mary's velvet-soft hand and whisper
to her:
81 congratulate you, dear!''
Later in the day there came gentle
tap at the door.
"May come in?' said the Profess
sor.
Miss Milly smiled aid held out her
hand, while he gently reproached her
for hiding away from him so long.
why did you do it, Millicent?"
said he. ''COnld not you trust me?"
"You were in Heidelberg" said she,
coloring. "And We wanted to leave
all the old life behind u.s. We've
didn't know how people might feel"
"But it seems,'' said the professor,
with smile, ''thot the old life has
followed you. Do You know, Milly
it seems as If it was only yesterday
that i went away? DO you remem.
ber-"
She interrupted him, quickly:
"Oh, l forgotr' said she. II have
not yet congratulated you"
Upon what? My new book? It
isn't published yet," said he, with
puzzled air.
"No-upon your approaching mar
IMAGE"
"My marriage? To whom?"
'To that pretty little Mary Redwyn,
Of course,'' said Miss Milly, trying to