The leader., 1899-02-15
! The BdShful Mr.Gdu
THERE was decided sensa tion when

bilious ladies of the Baptist church had
organized for the mental elevation of
the community. and which every wom-
an in town had Joined, not for any de-
sire to be elevated" but because it
was a novelty and Mrs. So-and-So" be-
longed to it, forgot to read single
chapter in David Copperfield," but de-
voted its entire attention to the dis
cussion of the new family"
AS the Sterling grounds adjoined
mine, | was enabled at an early date to
form an opinion concerning the new
corners, and | became convinced al
once that they would prove BILE
neighbors. and surely it would be pleas
ant to have at least one interesting fam
lily in the town with whom | might ex-
change few words now and then upon
some subject other than the well-worn
weather affection, which seemed to be
the only topic with which my village
acquaintance appeared at all familiar.
Mrs. Sterling brought with her two
charming daughters, Phyllis and Gene
We've. They had been in town only a
few hours when Jane said q shall be
obliged to quote Jane in spite of my
scruples) that Mrs. Peabody came to
see her under the pretense of making
a call. but in reality to enjoy the view
of the Sterling house obtainable from
our kitchen window, and on seeing the
two young ladies had exclaimed:
"You see if them two don't set their
capS for noor 1oar Mr. Gavin
Jane repeats a legend that long ago
I incurred Mrs. Peabody's everlasting
wrath by not marrying her daughter,
Jenny, after raising her hopes to a
dizzy height by offering her the pro-
| lection of my commodious umbrella
one day when the amiable Jennie had
been caught in sudden shower far
from home, and had accompanied her
| 10 her mothers door, which upon an
| urgent invitation | had entered, for
the first and last time, staying exactly
nine minutes by the grandfathers clock
| in the corner.
/ was in my study, overlooking the
Sterling piazza, on the afternoon Mrs.
| Peabody made her first call on the Ster-
| ling ladies, and the conversation fioated
| innocently to my ears on the gentle
| breeze.
Mrs. Peabody, delighted to pay up
| a few back scores, began lengthy ac-
count of my failings, and dwelt with
particular emphasis on one | had never
had any reason to believe l possessed
| namely: convictions:
"He is the laughing stock of the
place." calmly asserted the caller, land
is altogether the biggest stick you ever
saw. Why, he was in love with a GER
| tain young lady in this town.
shouldn't like to mention any names
but he acted like fooltagging round
after her on rainy days with the excuse
| of lendin' his umbrel', when he was too
| shy to come to the house."
My hair arose on end, and l grasped
the arm Of my chair to steady my nerves.
or my temper, lest | should throw my
inkstand at the offending lady. That
my reserve and dignified reticence
| should be thus interpreted to these
strangers drove me frantic; but after
all il was foolish to care, when could
SO easily dsprove all she had said.
But as the days passed l found ii
anything but easy, for every time met
| any of the Sterling ladies l always felt
| the blood leap to my face, and ex-
perienced a wild desire to fly, as /
thought what they were doubtless
thinking of me; but l never failed to
raise my hat with studied politeness.
One day while l was looking over my
roses once more became an uninten-
tional eavesdropper. Hearing voices
in the adjoining garden, was about
| to beat hasty retreat, when became
aware that it would be too late, as the
| following conversation was we'll under
way:
"Genevieve, dearest, isn't ii a pity
that Mr.. Gay suffers so from shyness +?
HIS books are charming"
l recognized the gentle voice Of
Phyllis.
"Yes," laughed Genevieve, che near
ly has fit whenever we meet; he grows
purple in the face, really! Socially he
is impossible. No doubt he STAN
mers."
The following day picked bunch
Of great, blushing jacks (they con-
sidered me one. beyond doubt), and
walked boldly over and rang the Ster-
lings' bell. The white-capped maid
who answered my ring showed me by
her wide-open eyes that my reputed
failing was well known even In that
quarter. left a message that my rose
gardens were at the ladies' disposal,
and fed.
That morning had put the finishing
| touches on my new work, "Roses and
Their Cultivation" and for want of
something better TODD began a novel.
Before had proceeded far l knew II
would never see publication. for it was
q partly imaginative account of my
own affairs, and as progressed l be-
gan to weave a little romance about
Phyllis and myself. foolish.thing for
an old bachelor to do. of course. Then
decided to wait, at a certain point
and let the situation develop itself.
1t developed rapidly the next day;
in the morning I received daintily.
written note from Mrs. Sterling ex-
pressing thanks for the roses, and in
yiting me to tea for that evening.
| accepted the invitation. ii is needless 10
relate. and It may be of interest 10 add
that did myself credit. They liscov.
II