The morning times., 1896-02-17
HER TITLED ADMIRER FLED.
Why Miss Mary Hampton's n obleman
Did Not Reach Proposal Point

w iiJ -siirr DlDf1 1NDDleI1an
Did Not Reach Proposal Point
1t is not to be supposed that Miss Mary
Hampton would give up her splendid posi-
ton on the American stage TO become the
wife Of foreign nobleman and wear the
title and other things, including possible
unhappiness. which such a step would
| bring her.
At all events, certain of her friends firmly
believe that she very nearly had the op-
portuniiy. 1t was at a fashionable resort
where stage folk congregate in the summer
time. Miss Hampton was leading an ideal
existence in coZy cottage or which she
was supreme mistress. Ali went merry as
the marriage bell that people expected to
Fing-fOr the nobleman who hung around
thercabouts had made his devotion plainly
evident to ail-when on certain morning
servant did little acting on her own ac-
count.
She struck, not for higher wages, but
because her steady company had been
limited In the privileges OF the cottage and
grounds. The cook, fearing that the priv
iieges of her steady might also be en-
cToached upon, went on a sympathetic
strike. THESE were the only servants Miss
Hampton could boast of at the time, except
her maid, and as others could not be rea Ciiiy
obtained, she was thrown upon her own
resources.
The cook had always made the purchases,
and this essential part OF the cottage life
Miss Hampton determined todoherSelf. One
morning she was returning from the market
with the purchases, when shenct the gentle
| man OF title. He beamed with delight on
finding her alone, and doffed his hat with
that gallant bearing for which foreign
nobieinen, with all their faults, are notable.
| Was she taking morning constitutional
Not exactly. All, she had been shopping,
i but wasn't il rather early? She bIushing
admitted the impeachment. Might he carry
| her bundiess Oh, no, no; she could not
think OF troubling him. But he insisted.
1t would be such u high privilege to be
even a beast Of burden 10 so fair a
creature, so beautiful an angel. so bril-
liant woman, and SO on. Then mis-
chieyous twinkle took possession of those
| laughing Kentucky eyes. Yes, he might
carry her bundles, but really did be not
| feel shy about doing so when he would
| subject himself To the gaze of all the
people or the resort, who were bow riding
or driving by for their morning airing?
Not at al, he would be proud to show
| them that ne was the recipient of her
smiles. So Miss Hampton carefully placed
| on his right arm one large basket which
/ she had been holding tightly, and gingeriy
| put a paper bag in his LEFT hand. On they
| trudgtd. By and by Miss Hampton OBJ
served that her Compa nion was growing
A
in the flow OF his half-couceaIed love-
making. He halted several times. shifted
| uneasily, aud again and again begged
! her pardon. Once again he halted, and.
| oh horror, that large package was seen
| to move OF its own yolition. He bent
| his knees aud ciutcheJ it vigorously, but
| it wri ggled and wriggied-
| Pedestrians stopped to look on and riders
/ brought their horses TO 4 walk. In de-
| Spair the nobleTD3n used his left hand TO
| steady the parcel, when the paper bag
| which that hand carried burst open and q
| dozen fresh eggs scattered their contents
/ over him aud the board walk. Then the
| cover OF the basket bobbed open and
| several chickens reared their heads, cack-
| ling as il TO know what in thunder was the
matter. The gentle mood of the Dobleman
| did what the chickens would have liked
| to do, took fight He dropped them. adj
| justed his monocie, and fed, amidst the i'll
| bred, but very natural, laughter OF the
! onlookers. Miss Hampton has not seen
! him since, so tonight Miss Hampton viii
| be seen at the National as RosamOnd in
I Sowing the Wind" under Charles Froh-
| mans management, instead OF being a
/ countess, and all because Of few eggs