The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-07-07

made his reputation at the bar. Then.
too, Mrs. Muntle did not smile at his
aches and pains and insist that he
must bo perpetually we'll because he
had fresh complexion and dimples
ON his checks. She had savory herb
teas and potions which she produced
wnen he complained of feeling mis-
cradle.
For two months or moro Mr.. Pat.
terson boarded with Mrs. Muutle, and
happier months he never lived through.
linen he went back to tho city for a
lew weeks, returning in urgent need
OF moro pellets from the medicine
chest, and staying until the last pink
chrysanthemum was blooming on its
wlthered branches. He had grown so
fond of his little room, with its white
curtains and fresh grass-bleached
linen, of the country good things and
OF tho buxom Mrs. Muntle, that he
could not bear the thought of parting
with them altogether.
After all, why could he not buy r
house and get Mrs. Muntle to keep it
for him? Perhaps she would. He
would offer high salary, and she
could have plenty of servants. Then,
indeed, he might have friends to dino
with him, and be as happy as possible.
If only he could approach his hostess
showing her as he did so that he con.
sidered her his equal and lady-and
all that she certainly was; IA clergy
mans daughter and thu widow of n
country doctor
After much consideration he finally
mustered courage for the effort, and
walked into the front pGrlor and sent
the servant to ask Mrs. Muntle to
please step there for moment.
"Gracious !" thought Mrs. Muntle
to herself; hwhat can he waut?"
Then she blushed brightly, settled
her necktie, took off her apron and
walked demurely in.
'Be seated, ma'am," said Mr.. Pat
terson. "'Sit here please. Allow mo
to sit near you, as | have something
to ask which may require some CON
siderntion."
"Oh, dear, it is coming!" thought
Mrs. Munilc.
II suppose you know I'm n man of
considerable means, ma'am," said the
old bachelor, liable TO buy nice
house, furnish it well and live in it
comfortably"
80 I've understood, Mr.. Patter.
son, said the widow.
And of course it is pleasauter to
live that way than at II hotel" said
Mr.. Patterson.
Il should Judge it might be-" said
Mrs. Muntle cautiously.
''You Judge rightly" said Mr.. Pat.
terson; but you know bachelor
must be in the hands of servants if he
Keeps a house. gentleman doesn't
want that; he wants lady to superin.
tend things for hIm-some one of taste
and refinement and all that. Com
mon people don't understand his feel
lngs, and mercenary servants are
poor dependence.
81 know that" said Mrs. Muntle.
You are almost as much alone as +
aren't you, Mrs. Muntle?" said Mr.
Patterson, coaxingly.
The doctor knew him. Hos poinp
to do 1t Just rs he said he would If he
ever did, said the lady to herself
Aloud she answered: "WelI, sir, I
am pretty free, it is true. All nv
children are married we'll"
II know money would be no object
to you, said Mr.. Patterson. "You
have enough. But if was to tell Won
that | hated boarding houses and
wanted home, l think you would
have pity on me. I'll buy beautiful
house, and You shall have complete
control of everything; only to make
my strawberry short-cako for me all
my live"
lie paused and looked at the lady.
That is delicately put, he thought.
Nov will you hire out for n house
keeper, l wonder?"
II amt romantic" said Mrs
Muntle; "but still we amt young
neither Of us, and it gets to be lust
that with the most sentimental after
awhile"
Don't refuse me-" pleaded Mr.
Patterson.
wei, Mr.. Patterson, 1 won't, >" said
Mrs. Muntle. "1'm nv own mistress
and though I've never thought of n
80 ''i''' AAt'r5N5 WI ' i IQlQk IN
warranted in making one. And no
doubt l shall never repent, for think
you ve fine disposition, and L under
stand your ways and tastes"
Mr.. Patterson listened. He saw
what he had done proposed and been
accepted without having any idea of
what he was about. He looked at Mrs.
Nluntlc. She was very nice and comeIv
and ten years his junior. at least If
she was forty. To could not have
done II better thing, and would be
without any troublesome
counting. SO ne Mt once put his arm
around Mr.. Muntlo's waist and said
Ihauk you, my dear. / consider
myself very fortunate"
flo wrote TO his good doctor in
about a fortnight's time, TO tell him
that he had taken both his prescrip-
tioDs; was a married man and intend.
ed to bring his bride home about tho
first Of the new ycar.