The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-07
THE BACHELOR.

quiet space, and the glass rooted nyenue
gives it an added air Of scclusion. Bach
olors 1.-Two in tho Albany and are tended by
discreet, plain faced housekeepers, to
whom they commonly leave in their Wills
ESQ and several old silk hats. At night
tho shade Of Macaulny hovers at tho Bod
Icy Head ond Of tho Albany and says
strenuous words ON finding that his old
rooms are occupied now by q publisher
words which fortunately tho discreet, plain
faced house keepers cannot overhear.
II think" said Mr.. Robert Mepsted to
himself, with ono footpressed hard against
TIC mafts2lniGico 1t &So NJ III; ~tiat f
should like to SEQ her just once again.
Only once, mind There nre ono or two
things 1 should liku to say casually to her,
just TO show that am quite contented as
am.''
The youngest tenant in tho Albany
sighed. Now, it Is not usual for men who
brag OF being confronted to sigh.
"Thcre's popular impressions, went
ON Mr.. Robert Mcpsted argumcntatiyely,
THAT bachelor must DO lonely. 1t is q
most mistaken impression. 1t is high
timo that tho world recognized what n
blunder this is. There Is no more prepos-
tcrous''--
Mr.. Robert Mepstod, turning round in
his easy chnir to argue with an imaginary
opponent, stopped. In tho doorway was
Mrs. Long, his housckeepcr, with card
On brass waitor-a squnrish card, which
Mrs. Long presented with an mir of some
reluctance.
Lady Westenhonger and Miss Weston
hanger" rcad Mepstod. Ho turned away,
That Mrs. Long, whom he feared, should
not see his face reddcn.
"Aro thoy-cr-walting, Mrs. LongP''
II have shown tho ladies, SIR" said
Mrs. Long, trembling with tho knowledge
of having done tho right thing, Unto tho
sitting room. Shall 1 tell them YOU nrs
not Mt home, sir?"
II will comu in there
"Ho!" said Mrs. Long disappointcdly.
Mcpsted stood for moment Mt tho door
of tho room. He wanted, above all things,
to regain his solf composure He desired
also TO remember the fow satirical remarks
that ho had proposed for this emergency.
Tho sound of her voice within, arguing
gently with her shrill voiced mother, sent
tho snrcasms-and they were unoommonly
good sarcasms-effectually out of his head.
My dear Mr.. Mepstcd, am So glad we
found you in! Mary and wero in town,
and wo wcro making calls, and Mary sup-
gcSted"-
We had not seen you for some time"
interrupted Mary disadvantages hurriedly.
It's too good of you both to call, (" said
Robert Mepsted. Can give you tea or
something? 1 am rather awkward mt
playing host Mt present, but 1 shall get
used to tho game with practice. Some
bachelors know manage very we'll"
want, said Lady Wcstcnhangcr, "to
call in at Bond street and SEQ jcwcler
man. So that don't think we'll trouble
you, Mr.. Mepstcd.'
DO you want to go to Bond street,
Miss Wcstcnhanger!'
Not in tho least, Mr.. Mcpstod. don't
like jcwclry."
That's most outrageous remark ia
make said Lady Wcstenhangcr, with Sc
verify. II consider it almost impious.
Ever woman should"-
Then how would it DO, suggested Mr..
'cpstcd gcnially, 'for you, Lady Weston
niger, to drive round to Bond street, for
1u, Miss Wcstenhanger, to remain here,
and for my housckcepor to give us tea?
Two been writing all tho afternoon, ard I
want n cup"
This was where Mary Wcstenhanger
showed strategy worthy of field marshal.
II t,,'nt | hnd better go with mamma"
Sho said mildly.
And 1 think" said Lady Wcstcnhang-
or, with severity, "that you will do moth
ing of tho sort. You will remain here,
Mary, until return. Mr.. Mepsted is not
liko ono who is q new friend of tho family"
Lady Wcstcnhangcr, said Robert
AepstGd, "you are always right He
gycssed the electric knob and gave to Mrs.
long directions. "Lct mo SEQ you to your
carriage. Miss Wcstcnhanger, can you
find an illustrated paper to look at until
Seturn?''
~ don't think caro- for art" sho said
quietly, "just now"
Mr.. Robert Mcpstcd returned very
quickly. Mary disadvantages was look
ing, with her hands claspcd behind her, mt
aportrait Of his mother, and when she
turned thero were tears in her eyes.
Tea already here?" ho exclaimed
brcczily. what capital manager Mrs.
Long is! Will you pour out, Miss Weston
bangor2'
II still possess n Christian name" she
remarked ms she obcycd.
You haven't discarded everything,
them"
Mr.. Robert Mepsted mado mental note
of tho score. Sarcasm No. /.
Il wanted particularly to SEQ YOU" she
said She lifted her cup, but her hand
trelnbied, and she replaced it on the table,
whore 1t was safe. "I'm afraid that was
very stupid and unreasonable when we
met last"
II don't like to contradict you,' no
said
and I-well, want to apologize,
Robert. In n general way can bear my
mother pretty we'll, but on that day she
had been morn than usually trying"
II don't think we need say any moro
about 1t, Mary"
DO you roally mean thatf" sho asked
Quickly.