The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-08

said Mas Conshit, wrifgifg hie.ff Hands /,
distress, II am really quite puzzled. Ev
erythins has always been quite proper IL
my house. But something is wrong, ant
don't know whatto do" ~.
Il am very sorry," said MarcelIa cold
ly, "but assure you ! have nothing t.
do with It, ! promise you not to break
/ your ancient and respectable rules.
shall not flirt with Nj. Craig nor Mr.
Smith, and Miss Jones need not be afraid
l will try to capture her lover"
And MarcelIa escaped to her room,
there to weep in bitterness and despair,
while Miss Conant was more dismayed
than ever.
For time after this things seemed to
mend. and Miss Conant ventured to con-
graduate herself.
Will seemed to avoid Miss Jones, and
she never saw him speak to Mareella.
But all the old familiar relations were
broken up. Messrs. Smith and Craig
greeted each other with wonderful polite
ness in the house, but did not speak when
they met on the street.
i, Marceila was certainly circumspect.
She regarded all the gentlemen with a
GOODNESS that was almost contempt. She
kept mostly in her room and was not at
fected by Miss Jones Icy glare and g.
nored Miss Beavers persistent elusive
ness.
Will wandered about the house in ST.
lent and moody contemplation. He might
have been grieving on account of his sep
aration from Miss Jones, but he strange
ly refused to make up with her again.
That astute young woman ignored him
at last and turned her sweetest smiles on
Mr.. Craig. Strange to say, he respond
ed. Some old instinct seemed to revive
in the bosom Of that gentleman, and he
suddenly discovered that ladies' were
made for love. And Miss Jones, being
the lady most available, found herself
beloved.
"A little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump"
Mr.. Smith also yielded to the dominant
force. He saw Marcella's persistent
GOODNESS and futtered to Miss Beaver for
sympathy, and, after decent amount Of
hesitation, she gave it.
The landlady was indignant but help
less. Her house was falling about her
ears. Her children INDUCED in the most
open and awful spooning right under her
eyes. She was forced to spend her
evenings In the kitchen to keep from in
terrupting some tender tete-a-tete. She
had never seen SO much astonishing mon
sense" in her life.
Only Will and Marcella seemed to es-
cape the general contagion.
II am glad you haven't gone crazy"
said Miss Conant. "You are the youn-
gest and far the loveIiest one of the lot,
and I'm glad you are not an idiot"
Marcella smiled, but did not seem to be
particularly elated.
II declare said Miss Conant, continu-
ing. that it is all the most unheard Of
and unbelievable thing that ever happen
ed. Just think! l have kept boarders
for 20 years and never had love affair
in the house before. Now there seems
to be nothing else. As II the dreadful
conduct of the boarders wasn't enough,
the cook has fallen in love with the milk
man, and saw the grocer's boy kiss the
dining room girl In the hall yesterday.
Why, my house has become regular
bureau"
1T is too bad" said Marcella YEARLY.
But you, Marcella, you promised me
not to i1irt, and you haven't. thank you
for it."
And Miss Conant, to show her graft
tude, attempted to imprint kiss on the
young lady's peachlike cheek, but Mar
celia burst into tears and ran away.
Strangely enough, she ran plump into
he arms Of Will Caruthers. He had been
waiting there in the hall for Marcella to
.ome out.
Miss Conant has given notice to her
andlord. After the magnificent triple
Wedding occurs she will keep boarders no
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