Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-01-23
MRS. DENVER'S LODGER.


that she must give up Frank Filing,
ton that the new lodger arrived. He
was old and grumpy, this Mr.. Wig
gleton, but as he always paid in ad
vance Mrs. Denver was perfectly con.
tent.
There's lodger for youp she said
sxultingly. Il just wish he'd keeF
the rooms foreverl'
It was a bright October evening
when Mr.. Wiggleton sent for Mrs.
Denver to come up to his room.
Dear mel thought the huttered
housekeeper; whatever can the mat
ter be2 It's too bad. | believe he's
going to find fault with your guitar
practice, josie
Il can't help it said,' said Josie,
piteously; Il must get on with my
guitar lessons
Mrs Denver obeyed the unwonted
summons. Mr.. Wiggleton who was
sitting In a big chair, cleaning his
meerchaum with bit of chamois,
laid down his work and solemnly ad-
justed his blue spectacles.
Mrs. Denver, he said, I'm think.
ing of being married
And leave me s:r2' calculated the
housekeeper, with failing heart.
1T won't be necessary, ma'am, to
leave you.'
'Oh, indeed, SRI Then you will
bring your wife hereY
my bride will be here already;
ma'am. It's Miss Josie.
My Josie?'
Yes, ma'am, your JOSIE
Mrs. Denver's heart thrilled with
pride and qualification.
I'm sure, sir, JOSIE will be very
much flattered.'
Would you kindly speak to her,
ma'am, and, as it were, break the ice
for me? You see I'm rather advanc-
ed in years, and I'm not used to this
sort of thing
Certainly, sir. oh, certainly cried
Mrs. Denver, smoothing her apron.
i shall be honored.
She went down stairs as fast as if
there were no such things as neu-
ralgic pains or stiff old bones in all
the world, to where Josie sat reading
in the little parlor.
What do you think, Josie2' she
cried exuitingly. Here is good luck
for usl Mr.. Wiggleton has fallen in
love with you.
with me, aunt?'
Yes, and he's willing to marry
you. if you will be good girl. Now,
: isn't that good news, Josie?'
But to Mrs. Denvers amazement
she burst into passion of tears and
flung her book upon the floor.
''l won't marry him. An old bun
die of rheumatism. No, won't.
Josiep
4 wonder you dare ask me such a
thing, aunty, and POOR Frank, tool
Neverl Ill 60 out to service first.
Child cried the dismayed aunt,
you are raving. There-wipe your
eyes, quick, and smooth your hair
he's coming down stairs.
Apparently, in Mr.. Wiggleton' s
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, hellol Miss Josie crying!
My what's the matterpcried Mr.. Wig
gleton.
Il won't. There's no use asking
me, sobbed Josie.
She don't mean it, SIR apologized
Mrs. Denver. She'll suIk quite will
lingly presently
Will YOU leave US alone together,
ma'amY requested the ancient suitor
'No-don't aunty, please don't, cried
poor Josie.
Certainly, by all means, and Mrs
Denver whisked out Of the room.
She went down stairs and sat by
the window trying to knit, but secret
ly worrying in her mind about the
wilful lassie upstairs. Surely she
would never be SO crazy as to refuse
Mr.. Wiggleton. Yet girls are SO un.
accountable sometimes She wished
now that she had insisted upon it,
threatening to turn her out of doors,
else-been imperative.
But, oh, dear!' sighed Mrs. Den
yer, wisdom always comes too late.'
Presently the door opened.
Mrs. Denverl' called out the voice
of Mr.. Wiggleton-a jocund, COM
placent voice, like anything IN the
world but the accents Of discarded
lover.
Mrs. Denver hastened upstairs with
throbblng heart and saw an eager,
questioning and clustering girl on the
sofa With one or two tear drops spark
ling "u her eyelashes, while Mr.. Wig
gleton, with brown wig somewhat
dishevelled, bent chivalrously over
her.
rs it all right? asked Mrs Denver,
family, laying her hand on her heart.
Its all right. ma am; she has
promised to be mine.
sAnd whenY
Next week
'Oh, not 50 soonl' pleaded Josie.
DEAREST cried Mr.. Wiggleton.
laughingly, true love brooks no de.
lay. Next week it must be-.
"Don't be foolish, my dear" said
Mrs. Denver to her niece "The