The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-06-08
MRS. DENVER'S LOGGER.

MRS. DENVER'S LOGGER.
1t was just after Mrs. Denver had given
her niece Josie to understand that she must
give up Frank Ellington that the lodger
arrived. He was old and grumpy, this Mr..
Wiggleton, but az he always paid in ad-
vance Mrs. Denver was perfectly content.
"There's a lodger for YOU she said,
exultingly. 81 just wish he'd keep the
rooms foreyer!n
Mr. Wiggleton sent for Mrs. Denver to
come up to his room.
''Dear me-" thought the huttered house
keeper "whatever can the matter be? It's
too bad | believe he going to find fault
with your guitar practice, Josie. y
II can't help it, y said Josie, piteously.
II must get on with my guitar lessons"
Mrs. Denver obeyed the unwonted sum-
mons. Mr.. Wiggleton, who was sitting in
a big chair cleaning his meerschaum with
a bit of channels, laid down his work and
solemnly adjusted his blue spectacles.
"Mrs Denver he said, ''I'm thinking
of being married.
"And leaving me, sr?' calculated the
housekeeper, with falling heart
at won't be necessary, ma am to leave
you"
"Oh, indeed, sir Then you will bring
your wife here
"NIy bride will be here already ma am.
It's Miss Josie.
"My josie"
eyes, ma am your Josie. y
Mrs. Denver's heart thrilled with pride
and qualification
"Im sure, sir, Josie will be very much
battered"
"Would you kindly speak to her, ma am,
and, as it were, break the ice for me? You
see I'm rather advanced in years and Pm
not used to this sort of thing"
Certainly, sir. Oh, certainly" cried
Mrs. Denver, smoothing her apron. ~ shall
be honored.
She went downstairs as fast as if there
were no such things as neuralgia pains Or
stiff old bones in all the world, to where
Josie sat reading in the little parlor.
"What do you think, JOSIE" she said
exultingly. ''Here is good luck for US!
Mr.. Wiggeton has fallen in love with
you.
"With me- aunty?"
eyes, and he's willing to marry you, if
you will be a good girl. Now, isn't that
good news josie"
But to Mrs. Dcnver's Amusement she
burst into passion of tears and flung her
book upon the floor.
II won't marry him. An old bundle of
rheumatism. No, won't.
JOSEF
81 wonder you dare ask me such a thing,
aunty and poor Frank, too? Never! I'll
90 out to service first.
'Child" cried the dismayed aunt, ''you
are Iaving. There wipe your eyes,
quick, and smooth your hair-he's coming
downstairs.
Apparently, in Mr.. Wiggleston idea of
things, the process of breaking the ice''
was not protracted one, for his step was
now heard deliberately stamping down the
stairs.
Hey; hello! Miss Josie crying My,
what's the matter? 2" cried Mr.. Wiggleton.
81 won't! There's no uselasking me-"
sobpcd Josie.
''She don mean it, sir, apologized Mrs.
Denver. 'She'll sulk quite differently
presently
"Will you leave us alone together,
"No-don't t, aunty. Please don't" cried
poor Josie.
Certainly, by all MEANS" and Mrs.
Denver whisked out of the room.
She went downstairs and sat by the win
dow trying to knit, but secretly worrying
in her mind about the willful lasse up
stairs. Surely she would never be so crazy
as to refuse Mr.. Wiggleton. Yet girls were
so unaccountable sometimes. She wished
now that she had insisted upon it, threat
ening to turn her out of doors,-been I'M
perative.
But, oh, dearw sighed Mrs. Denver,
wisdom always come too late. n"
Presently the door opened.
Mrs. Denver called out the voice of
Mr.. Wiggleton-a jocund, complacent
voice, like anything in the world but the
accents Of discarded lover.