Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-06-02
NOO~N~~NON ONNON~@O~
HIS NEW HOME. 111
A Bachelor That Made
A Mistake.

he had been literally homeless. Now he
was proceeding TO home of his own.
He swung open the gilded iron gate of a
pretty little inclosure. where the graveled
paths shone in the twilight and evergreens
skirted the path like tall old monks wrap
ped in green Serge cloaks The cottage
beyond-a low eaved, picturesque affair,
with verandas ON every side-exactly met
his preconceived ideas of the desirable
country resiaence" painted in such glow
ing terms by Moses Gibbs, Esq, real es-
tate and insurance agent"
His countenance expanded into broad
smiles as he pushed open the door and en-
tered pretty room ON the left of the main
entrance hall, where glowing fire cast
ruddy reflections through the whole room
and a cushioned armchair stood close to
the velvet rug
''Gibbs told me there was some furni-
ture in the house and an old woman left
in charge thought Markleman, sitting
down in the easy chair and expanding his
chilled fingers to the cheery blaze, ''but I
hadn't any idea of such snug quarters as
this -
AS Markleman sat there, basking in the
warmth and coZiness of the scene, the door
of the adjoining room opened, and two
ladies came in, their faces glowing with
the frosty air
"Why, Lizzie,'' cried the shorter one,
stopping suddenly in the act of laying her
hood on the table There is some one in
the parlorW
Nonsense, said Lizzie, who, although
she had seen eight or nine and twenty,
was exceedingly fair to look upon. 1.-The
cat and the crickets may be there, but
who on earth besides?''
But tell you saw him, said Sue,
gripping her cousins arm with sort of
nervous terror. great big tall man,
in your easy chair, sitting staring at the
fire
"Fiddlesticksr" cried Lizzie, and she
marched courageously into the room
where sat our hero.
Mr.. Markleman stared hard at her. Mr..
Moses Gibbs, real estate and insurance
agent, had mentioned an old woman His
ideas of old age must have been singular
in the extreme, but he recovered his self
possession almost Immediately
II suppose you're Mary Ann," said he
affably
mo, sir, =" said Miss Wyman, still sore
ly puzzled. I'm Lizzie"
"Oh, Lizzie, eh? Well, it's just the
same. Idare say you didn't expect me
just yet?''
mo, sir, L certainly did not" said
Lizzie, beginning to wonder whether or
not she was dreaming.
Things look very nice and comfortable
here, Lizzie, my girl, and now the best
thing you can do will be to toss me little
bit of supper-sausages or broiled ham or
something of that sort-and be quick
about it, for I'm half famished. And,
Lizzie, you might send the other girl out
for any little trifie you want in the culi-
nary department. OF course though" he
added as he drew out bill and extended
it, grand seigneur fashion, toward the as
tonished damsel, 81 shan't expect to keep
two girls as a regular thing, although /
must hunt up man to take care of the
horses. Now run along and make haste
Lizzie Wyman retreated back upon Sue
Barring, with the money in her hand
scarlet with suppressed mirth.
Sue" she cried the instant the door
was safely closed, 81 see it all.
"That man is an escaped lunatic, isn't
he? Dear, dear, we shall all be murder
edl' cried Sue, growing hysterical
Nothing of the Sort" said Lizzie ener-
blunder. Can't you see, Sue, it's the old
bachelor who has taken the place next
door?''
"Ohl'' aspirated Sue. with the sparkles
of amusement beginning to come into her
eyes.
But. Lizzie. what are you going to
do?"
ITO cook him the best supper can and
of ftar nrl tn Ii;
the politest manner possible. Poor fellowl
He is rather handsome, Think
And the two girls hustled about with
skillet, gridiron and coffee strainer, while
air. Markleman sat viewing the fire and
what Gibbs could possibly have
by talking about ''an old woman!''
why, she has got cheeks like peaches
and hair as thick and brown and glossy
as my ownl' he told himself. "Old, in
deed! 1t won't be such bad fun to have a
servant girl like that fitting about the
house. She ought to have extra wages on
of her good looks"
Afterward he found himself seated be-
fore a table whereupon was spread a rich
repast
And he straightway proceeded to do
the best of practical Justice to it. Lizzie
Wyman composedly watched him the
while
"A very nice supper, Lizzier' said Mr.
refolding his napkin and
placing it on the table ere he drew out a
cigar from his pocket case.
I'm glad you liked it, sir, - said Lizzie
smiling, land l hope that when you be-
come my neighbor at Laurel cottage you
will often drop in to such another "
"Eh?" cried Mr.. Marklenan, starting
back. Amt this Laurel cottage? Am
not in my own bouse?"
mo, sir, aiiss Wyman answered de-
murely. "Ycu are in my house, and am
Elizabeth Wyman, your future neighbor,
very happy to make your acquaintance,
even after this rather unusual fashion,"
II beg your pardon, Miss Wyman,'
ne gasped, turning scarlet and pale in a
breath. Il don't see how l ever came to
make such ridiculous mistakel What
donkey you must have taken ME forl
"Tl go, he uttered, making dive to-
ward his hat and dropping the unsmoked
cigar on the floor, with countenance of
such misery that Lizzie's womanly pity
,ame to the rescue
You will do no such thing, Mr. Mar
she said. my brother will be
lere presently, and you shall stay and
spend the evening at your own mistake
So Mr.. Markleman staid until Tom
Nyman came home from the city on the
evening train, and, as he afterward said,
{ he never spent pleasanter evening in
lis lifep-New York News.