The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1896-04-10

co ~ ESP and s9o glass Pas.
nue. gives II an added air Of seclusion.
Bachelors live in the Albany, and are
tended by discreet, pale faced house
keepers, to whom they commonly
leave in their wills 600 and several old
silk hats.
81 think" said Mr.. Robert Mep.
sted to himself, with one foot pressed
hard against the mantelpiece at No. 6
M, "that / should like to see her inst
once again. Only once, mind There
are one or two things should like to
say casually to her, just to show that /
am quite contented as 1 am"
The youngest tenant in the Albany
sighed. Now, it is not usual for men
who brag Of being contented to sigh.
"Ihere'a n popular impression"
went on Mr.. Robert Mepsted, argu-
mentatively, "thatla bachelor must be
lonely. II is a most mistaken impress
sion. It is high time that the world
recognized what q blunder this is.
There is no more preposterous-"
Mr.. Robert Mepsted, turning. round
in his easy chair to argue with an
imaginary opponent, stopped. In the
doorway was Mrs. Long, his house
keeper, with q card on brass waiter
"a squarish card, which Mrs. Long
presented with an air of some reluct-
ance.
'Lady Westenhanger and Miss
Westenhangsr," read Mepsted. He
turned away, that Mrs. Long WHOM
he feared) should not see his face red
den.
care they -er- waiting, Mrs.
LongP'
81 have shown the ladies, sir" said
Mrs. Long, trembling with the knowl-
edge of having done the right thing,
''into the sitting room. Shall I tell
them you are not at home, sirP"
81 will come in there"
"Hol !" said Mrs. Long, disappoint-
eddy.
Mepsted stood for a moment at the
door of the room. He wanted, above
all things, to regain his self-compos-
ure he desired also to remember the
few satirical remarks that he had pro-
posed for this emergency. The sound
of her voice within, arguing gently
with her shrill.voiced mother, sent
the sarcasms-and they were uncom-
monty good -effectually out
of his head.
"My dear Mr.. Mepsted, I am so
glad we found you in. Mary and
were in town, and we were making
calls, and Mary suggested"
"We had not seen you for some
time" interrupted Mary Westenhang-
er, hurriedly.
= otis too good of you both to call, -
said Robert Mepsted. 'Can I give
you tea or something's am rather
awkward at playing host at present,
but I shall get used to the game with
practice. Some bachelors / know
manage very WELL"
II want" said Lady Westenhanger,
''to call in at Bond street and see q
ieweler man. So thet I don't think
we'll trouble you, Mr.. Mepsted."
"Do you want to go to Bond street,
Miss Westenhangerf"
''Not in the least, Mr. Mepsted. ]
don't like jewelry."
''That's a most outrageous remark
to Make" said Lady Westenhanger,
with severity. 81 consider it almost
impious. Every woman should"
''Then how would it be" suggested
Mr.. Mepsted, genially, "for you, Lady
Westenhanger, to drive round to Bond
street, for you, Miss Westenhanger,
to remain here, and for my house
keeper to give us tea? I've beer
writing all the afternoon, and I want {
cup"
This was where Mary Westenhangel
showed strategy worthy of field
marshal.
81 think I had better go with nam.
ma, she said, mildly.
'And / think" said Lady Weston.
hanger, with severity, "that you vii
do nothing of the sort. You will re
main here, Mary. until 1 return. Mr.
Mepsted ia not like one who is new
friend of the family"
'Lady Westenhanger," said Rober
Mepsted, "you are always right" FL,
pressed the electric knob and gave Il
Mrs. Long directions. ''Let me Sc
you to your carriage. Miss Weston
hanger, can you find an illustrate
paper to look at until I return9"