The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-26
A LOST HOPE.

Let me see, Betty, !" said Miss Chequer-
field. taxing the bundle Of newly ironed
clothes gingerly between her Gngers
Yes, it's his wash come home, sure
enough. with Moses Blandford' pinned on
paper SO there shouldn't be any mis-
take. I wonder If it isn't my Christian
duty just to set a stitch in these. He's ell
alone In the world Betty, give me my
Workbasket' -
ssYes'1n,'' said Betty, and away she
went to tell lIrs. Ferguson. the landlady,
that the old maid on the top floor had
undertook to mend Mr. Blandford's
clothes for him
Miss Mercy Chequerfeld stitched away,
humInjnge snatches Of song, as romantical-
" as if she had been a 17-year-Old- Sen
timent lurked in the stockings. Romance
was sewed in around the frayed edges of
melancholy buttonholes.
Now Mr. Moses Blandford was a
we'll grown footer of 30 odd summers,
the term boy, - was perhaps somewhat
inappropriate.
wonder why he never got married, p
thought Miss Clsequerfeld. Dear, dear,
here's q button sewed on with black silk
must cut it off and replace it properly.
And zigzag tear just run up on the
wrong sidel Really, it's quite sadl'
And Miss Chequerdeld nipped of a stray
end of thread with her scissors as vicious
ly as if it had represented the head of the
Imaginary cOquette who had blighted the
sensitive heart Of Mr.. Moses Blandfordl
Miss Meredith called Mercy by the nick
name Of the Fornlorn Hopei She didn't
mean anything She was a little laugh
ing beauty, with lover for each one of
her ten taper fingers and two or three to
spare. and Miss Chcquerfield initiated her
cravats and ribbon bows, with fond idea
that what became Patty Meredith could
not be unbecoming to her.
4 think somebody ought to tell that
Chequerfield woman what a fool she is
making of herself, - said Miss Ferguson
austerely.
Law, meml'' said Betty, she wouldn't
believe you'll And she's got good heart
arter alll'
Mr. Moses Blandford chuckled when he
saw the basket of neatly mended linen on
the chair in his room.
Betty" quoth Mr.. BlandfOrd, eying
the miraculous outblossoming of buttons
where were blanks and dainty darns in
place Of unsightly rents. Betty, who did
this?''
THAT old maid, sir, across the hall, .
said Betty, grinning she was SEWN
away for dear life all this mOrnin. -
Very thoughtful of the old girll' said
Mr. BlandfOrd- Betty, give her my
compliments, and tell her I am much
obliged.
Miss Chequerfeld smirked radiantly
when the message of thanks arrived
- knew he had appreciative soul, -
said she. Il read it in his eyes. am
never mistaken in physiognomy.
And she set diligently to work to en-
broider a pair of slippers for him.
From that moment Moses BlandfOId
lived, as it were, in a state of siege. Smok-
ing cases, a crocheted nightcap, with
tassel like that of Ali Pasha' SELF a scar
let dressing gown, nearly startled him out
of his wits.
Just as she can affordl' chuckled Mr..
BlandfOrd. So he wore the dressing gown,
shuffied about in the slippers, pulled the
nightcap over his brOws every night and
generally reveled in the goods the gods had
provided for him, while Patty Meredith
giggled, and asked Miss Chequerdeld if
a day was set yet -
Because . said little Patty, there's
no use trying to cheat mel know there's
going to be a wedding in the house as
well as if L saw the veil and orange
WREATH"
.Nonsenser' said Miss Mercy. "How
can your
And she blushed to the tip of her roseate
nose as Mr.. Blandford came into the room,
a baldheaded Apollo
My goodness meP' said Patty. "What
charming siippersl Where did you get
them, Mr. BlandfOrd?''
"A fairy dropped them from her wingsi''
said Mr. Blandford, bowling clumsily in
the direction of the spinster. Patty slipped
considerably out of the room, and Miss
Chequerfield felt that her hour had come
Mr.. Blandford cleared his throat.
I guess likely we're going to get rains -
said he.
YES, . futtered Mercy, almost inaudi-
bly,.
Colds down again. he added
is it?'' said Miss Chequer1eld-
And at this stage the dinner bell inter
rupted the current of soft nothings-
He Will certainly propose tonight
thought Mercy. So she dressed herself in
a plum colored silk, with trimmings of
black lace, and an artificial rose over her
left ear, and came down stairs at about
O'Clock Mr.. Blandford sat there reading
a letter.
Il hope I'm not intruding?' said Mercy.
mot at all, not at all, - said Moses.
t'The truth is, I'm very glad to see you
I wanted to tell you something.
Now it's coming" thought Miss
Chequerfield.
Though perhaps I've no right to take
it for granted you are interested in my
concerns, . added Mr.. Blandford-
Whatever interests you must interest
me, - she ~ urmured-
I've just got a letter from my wife,
and she's coming on next week ]"
''From-your-wifes
Eyes, - said Mr. Blandford cOmplacent-
", land a right smart, stirring woman
she is. / should like you to make her &C
quaintance, because you've been very kind
to me-
s'Kindp' Miss Chequerfeld thought,
with a sinking heart, Of the piles of stock
ings she had patiently darned, the shirts
she had mended. the funds she had invest
ed in fancy materials, and she felt, for
an instant, almost inclined to commence
q suit for the recovery Of money obtained
under false pretenses. His Wifet And he
had the face to sit there, calmly staring at
her, and tell her thisl
But there is a world of endurance in fe-
male human nature, and people have