The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-11-24

fes IL, said Betty, and away she
went 20 tell Mrs. Ferguson. the landlady,
that the old maid on the top floor had
undertook 10 mend Mr. Blandford' :
clothes for him
Miss Mercy Chcquerfeld stitched away
humming snatches of song, as romantical-
" as if she had been l7-year-old. sen
timent l,Irkea IN the stockings. Romance
was sewed in around the frayed edges of
melancholy buttonholes-
Now, as Mr.. Moses Blandford was 4
well grown foo,er Of 40 cdd summers,
the term boy" was perhaps somewhat
Inappropriate.
II wonder why he never got married, -
thought Miss Chequerfield. Dear, dear,
here's button sewed on with black silk,
/ must cut il of and replace it properly
And a z.gzsg tear just run up on the
wrong side. Really. it's quite sad,'
And Miss CheQucrtield nipped Of a stray
end of thread with her scissors as vicious
" rs if it had represented the head of the
imaginary coquettc who had bliChted the
sensitive heart of Mr.. Moses Blandford!
Miss Meredith called Mercy by the nick
name of the Forniorn Hope! She didn't
mean anything. She was a little laugh
ing beauty, viii a lover for each one Of
her ten taper fingers and two or three 20
spare. and Miss Chequerfield initiated her
cravats- and ribbon bows, with a fond idea
that what became Patty Meredith could
not be unbecoming TO her.
u think somebody ought 10 tell that
Chequerfield woman what fool she is
making OF herself" said Miss Ferguson
austerely.
Law, MENU said Betty. "she wouldn't
believe you, 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, VINO 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 girl.'' said
Mr. Blandford. Betty, give her NY
compliments, and tell her l am much
obliged"
Miss Chequerfleld smirked radiantly
when the message Of thanks arrived.
Il knew he had an appreciative soul,
aaid She Il read il in his eyes / am
Dever mistaken in physioGnomy.
And she set diligently L. work 20 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 a
tassel like that of Ali Pasha 5 self, a scar
let dressing gown, nearly startled him out
of his wits.
Just as she can Afford" chuckled Mr..
Blandford. So he wore the dressing gown,
shufiled about in the slippers, pulled the
nightcap OYER his brows every night and
generally reveled in the goods the gods had
provided for him, while Patty Meredith
giggled, and asked Miss Chequeriield Iii
a day was set yet"
Because" said little Patty, there's
no Use trying TO cheat met l know there's
going TO be n wedding in the house rs
well Us if / saw the veil and orange
WREATH
NONSENSE said Miss Mercy "How
can you:"
And she blushcd tothe tip of ner roseate
nose as Mr.. Blandford came into the room,
a baldheaded Apollo.
My goodness meI' said Patty. "What
charming slippersi Where did you get
them, Mr.. BIaBdford'"
~ fairy dropped them from her wingsl' /
said Mr.. Blandford, bowling clumsily in .
the direction of the spinster. Patty slipped
out of the room. and Miss .
felt that her hour had come. /
Mr. Blandford cleared his throat
Il guess likely we're going to get rain,"
said he.
Yes" fluttered Mercy, almost inaudi-
bly,.
Colds down again" he added
Is IL" said Miss Chequerfeld.
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
q plum colorcd 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 In not intrudingi" said Mercy
Not at all. not at oil, " said Moses.
The truth is, I'm very glad 10 see you
[ wanted To tell you something"
Now it's coming" thought Miss
Though perhaps I've no right TO take
10 lbr YOU iiiifItrNe4 AZ
added Mr. Blandford.
whatever interests you must Interest
me, she murmured.
I've just got letter from my wife,
md she's coming on next week"
'FrOm-your-wifes'
Yes" said Mr. Blandford compliment
v, and a right smart stirring woman
he is should like you 20 make her ao-
Iuaintance, because you We been very Kind
% me. o."
Kind" Miss Chequer1eld thought.
With a sinki~g heart, OF the piles ot stock
Dgs she had patiently dsrDed, the shirts
he had mended. the funds che had invest
d IN fancy materials. and she felt, for
IA instant almost inclined 20 commences
suit for the recovery Of money obtained
lnder false p-etenses- His wife And b.
lad the face 20 sit there, calmly staring 81
ler, and tell her thisl
But there is a world Of endurance in fe-
nale human nature, and people i, -
rniled AT the rack before now. h4i-s
faltered something nbou.
very happy indeed, d" and so faded away
be last dim sparkle of her lost hope.
For she Is an old maid yet and she
oesn't grow younger &c the years roll ~.
New Iork News
DIEG0'S REVENGE.