The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-12-20
miscellaneous.
A RESERVED SENTENCE.

A RESERVED SENTENCE.
Il never saw such an outrageous
old gentleman in my life," said Rena
Millington.
Rena was u black eyed little girl,
with hair as luXuriant and curly as a
mass of tangled black silk, very red
lips, and a skin just dark enough to
be sensibly improved by the glow of
crimson on either cheek.
My DEAR demonstrated Mrs. Mil
lington, you will be old yourself one
of these days
Then I'll put on cap and a pair
of spectacleS and retire into a convent.
| may become an old maid, mamma,
but shall never cease to be thankful
for the fact that | never can be an old
bachelor"
Mrs. Millington laughed-she could
not help it.
II do feel sorry for him, though"
added Rena, IL moment afterwards,
hes so old, and goes around with his
stick so much like the old wizards in
story-books-"
Halo - cried Il voice, interrupting
the little damsel at this stage of her
chatter-and' Il bent old gentleman
hobbled into the kitchen; who's that
looks like an old wizard ~
Mrs. Millington dropped her rolling
pin and looked frightened. Not so
Rena
You, sir - she answered valiantly
az"
Yes. Why don't you stand up
straight? l know you can, for l have
seen you"
M ala ,ron+Io,,,D aolo,oJ oo1
huttered something about Its being
easier to walk so.
But | don't believe it is easier -
pursued the relentless Rena-''and
why do you wear that horrid old red
wig? Nobody can possibly be hum
plugged into believing it your own
hair-I wouldn't be ashamed of a
gray head, if l had one -
"Wouldn't you, indeed % cried the
incensed old gentleman.
You'd be a real nice old fellow if
you didn't make such a fuss about
your"
"Rena, my DEAR" timidly interrupt
ed Mrs. Millington.
when you can be so agreeable, too,
if you try went OH Rena, not paying
the slightest attention to her mothers
remonstrance why, the other
night, when you told us all about
Palestine, and Jerusalem it was so in
teresting and so nice that could have
Rugged you ~
Gould you - asked the old gentle
man, obviously. Il suppose it's too
late now to"
Eyes, of course it's too late.''
MY dear Rena - expostulated her
mother, once more.
Don't say word, a'am, don't
say a word ~ cried the old gentleman.
IF you've brought up your daughter
so badly as this, it's not worth while
to try and rectify matters now"
Rena marched up to her ancient
enemy and confronted him.
You are q bad old gentleman to
talk so. Mamma has brought me up
right-mamma does everything right
s'Then why don't you behave your
self better p
Rena dropped her head, suddenly
convicted.
I'm sorry" she said, in a burst of
pretty penitence. Il forgot that you
were such an old gentleman"
Let's kiss and make up? suggest
ed old Mr.. Farqubarson.
No" Rena shook her head. "Id
rather not kiss you, but We'll make
up"
The old gentleman looked chagrin-
ed, and possessing himself of his slip
pers, hobbled up stairs, niuttering to
himself as he went.
1t was in the twilight of the same
day, when Rena came tiuttering down
stairs, like Il frightened bird into the
room where her mother and Uncle
Stephen sat, costly chatting over old
times.
Dear me, Rena ~ cried Mrs. Mil
lington, alarmed, what can the mat
ter be p
"a manr' gasped the breathless
Rena "a man up stairs | saw him
through the crack of the door as |
passed Mr.. Farquharson's room-a
tall man, with brown hair"
What did he look like?" cried Uncle
Stephen:
Farquharson-he may be murdered ~
Mrs. Wilmington ran for the rifle-a
huge old thing, and Uncle Stephen,
resolutely shouldering it, marched off
up stairs, followed by the two women,
into the apartment that had been as
signed to Mr.. Farquharson.
To their amazement, that old gen
tleman struggled up from the sofa,
where he was enjoying cozy nap.
What! Is anybody here -
"Where's the man." cried Rena,
eagerly.
"What man? Dear me-" cried Mr..
Farquharson, peevishly; tits very
trying to the nerves to be reused up in
this sort of way"
Mrs. Millington looked hopelessly
round.
Il know there was man here ~
cried Rena, looking under the table
and behind the door, even peering
into the old gentleman's huge shower
bath arrangements.
"All Rena's fancy" said her mother.
MY love, you really shouldn't have
| frightened us So"
Il can't stand this sort of thing,
said Mr.. Farquharson, pettishly. Il
shall pack up my trunk and go home
tomorrow
Rena thought Within herself that
she, for one, wouldn't be sorry to see
the last of the old gentleman.
But, dear me it's empty threats, -
thought Rena he won't goN
Rena was mistaken, however, he did
go, and insisted on kissing her good
bye, Vi her great Indignation.
"Ul never kiss you ~ cried the little
lassie, bridling up, and averting her
"Won't YOU! Well see p exclaimed