Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-02-21
THE BACHELOR.


gives it an added air of seclusion Bach
elors live In the Albany and are tended by
discreet, plain faced housekeepers, to
whom, they commonly leave in their wills
800 and several old silk hats At night
the shade of Macaulay hovers at tho Bod
ley Head end Of the Albany and says
strenuous words ON finding that his old
rooms are occupied now by a publisher
words which fortunately tho discreet, plain
faced house keepers cannot ovcrhcar.
Il think said Mr. Robert Mepsted to
himself, with Que foot pressed hard against
the mantclpIrce at No. u NJ, that l
should like To see her just once again
Only once, mindl There are one or two
things | should like to say casually to her.
just to show that / all quite cuntented as
am"
The youngest teuant in tho Albany
sighed. Now it is not usual for men who
brag of being contcntcd to sigh
There's IA popular impression, " went
on Mr.. Robert Mepsted argumentatively
THAT bachelor must be lonely 1t is "a
most mistaken impression. 1t is high
Gime that the world recognized what u
blunder th:s Is. There is no more prepus
eeTOus'-
Mr. Robert Mcpstcd, turning round in
his easy chair to argue with an imaginary
opponent stopped. In the doorway was
Mrs. Long, his housekecpcr, with card
ON brass wHiter--a squarish card which
Mrs. Long presented with al air of sumo
reluctance.
Lady Westenhanger and Miss Weston
hanger, read Mcpoted. He turned away,
that Mrs. Long, whom no feared should
not see his iace rGdden.
II,
81 have shown the ladies, SIR said
Mrs. Long trembling with thu knowledge
of having done the right thing, Into tho
sitting room. Shall tell them you are
not at home, sirS'
~ will come in there"
''Ho!' said Mrs Long disappointedly.
Mepstcd stood for moment at the door
of the room. He wanted, above all things,
to regain his self composure He desired
also to remember the few satircal remarks
that he had proposed for this emergency
The sound of her voice within, arguing
gently with her shrill voiced mother, sent,
the sarcasns-and they were unCummonly
good sarcasms-effectually out of his head
My dear Mr.. Mepsted, am so glad we
found you I'M Mary and were in town,
and we were making calls, and Mary sug
gesIed"-
1--WE had not seen you for some time, :"
interrupted Mary Westenhanger hurredly.
It's too good of you both to call, " said
Robert Mcpsted. Can l give you tea or
something's | am rather awkward at
playing host at present, but l shall get
used to the game with practice. Some
bachelors l know manage very we'll.
81 want, said Lady Westenhanger, "to
call in at Bond street and see Il jcweler
man. So that | don't think we'll trouble
you, Mr.. Mepsted.
do you want to go to Bond street,
Miss WestcnhangerY
Not in the least, Mr.. MrpSted. l don't
like jewolry,"
"ThAt's most outrageous remark to
make said Lady Westenhanger, with se-
verify. Il consider it almost impious
livery woman should
"rhen how would it be, suggested Mr.
Mepsted genally for you, Lady Weston
hanger, to drive round to Bond street, for
you, Miss Wcstenhanger, to remain here
and for my housekeeper to give us tear
I've becn writing all the Afternoon and |
want u cup"
This was where Mary Westenhanger
showed strategy worthy of II field marshal.
81 think had better Ho with mamma %
she said mildly.
And think" said Lady Westenhang-
or, with severity THAT you will do moth
ing of the sort You will remain here,
Mary, until | return Mr.. Mepsted is not
like one who is new friend of the family "
Lady WestenhanRer, said Robert
Mepsted, "you are always right" He
pressed the electric knob and gave to Mrs.
Long directions Let mo SEQ you to your
carriage. Miss Westenhanger, can you
find an illustrated paper to lunk at until
returnS''
81 don't think | care for art, " she said
quietly, lust now"
Mr.. Robert Mepsted returned very
quickly, Mary Westenhanger was look
ing, with her hands clasped behind her, at
q portrait Of his mother, and when she
burned there were tears in her eyes
Tea already hereS' he exclaimed
hroezily what IA capital manager Mrs
Long is VIII you pour out Miss Weston
hangerg'
I still possess Christian name, " sh,
remarked as she Obeyed
"You haven't discarded everything
theu?"
Mr.. Robert Mcpsted made mental note
of the score Sarcasm No.
II wanted particularly to see you" sh'
said She lifted her cup, but her hant
1renbled, and she replaced 1t on the table
where it was safe. "I IN afraid that 1 wa
very stupid and unreasonable when W,
met last
II don't like to contradict you" h,
said
And well l want to apologize
Robert. In general way l oan bear m!
smother pretty we'll but on that day sh
had been moro than usually trying"
Il don't think we need say any NOR
about 1t, Mary"
do yoR really mean thAtr she aske
quickly.
II mean that we need net trouble t.