The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-20
Her Own Fault.


| taken possession of it? It would De q
| relief to my mind to know the worst
Mr.. Sempronious Swirton stood erect
! and busting in the middle of the floor n
| a. gorgeous dressing gown. his light blue
| eyes glittering with indignation.
I'm sure, Mr.. Swirton. I'm sorry, and
| l can only hope no offense will oe took
| where none's intended, but when there 5
| a To Let in the house the law demands
| as it should be showed to all as is civil
| and decnet-spoken, between the hours OF
| y and 4. But Mr.. Swirton-"
House hunters, eh?" snarled Mr.. Swir-
| ton; Il wish / had the settling OF them.
! But I tell you what, Mrs. Mellick. admit
| any one OF them into this room at Your
| peril, ma'am. 1 am not wild beast IN
a menagerie. to be exhibited TO every one
who has permit from the landlord, and
l won't stand it. Do you hear. ma'a1n
1 won't stand it,"
IT'S dreadful trying" said the meek
and much-enduring woman to Eliza Ann,
| her freckled niece, but there's ore bless
! ing-he's TO be married In few months.
I pity his wife"
Il don't" said Eliza Ann. Hes kind
! enough if you only manage him little;
and he pays his way like a Prince! Hark!
There goes the doorbelI again"
! to see if the bow of blue ribbon in her
| saucy stresses was straight, hurried TO
answer the tinkling summons.
Two ladies, radiant in spring bonnets
that were all narcissus buds and yellow
ribbon, and rustling silk t.ounces, stood
there-two ladies who put the stereotyped
question:
us this house to let?'
''Why, Blanche Beamesr' cried Eliza
Ann Mellick, sis it possible that this Is
you?"
Miss Blanche Beames looked with some
ungraciousness at poor, shabby. hard
worked little Eliza Ann. half disposed 10
forget that she had sat on the same bench
with her at the establishment for young
ladies kept by Nine. Tarelu in every cay
life Mrs Tarelly).
Yes" said Blanche, 'it's me- I hope
you are well, Eliza Ann Aunt Sophie
and l are looking for an eligible resi-
dence; 1 suppose we can see this ona?"
Yes" said Eliza Ann, rather chilled
by the frigid reception of her delighted
recognition; 'ft's a nice place. Ny Aunt
Mellick keeps ooarders here
"Boarders!" echoe1 Miss Beames, draw
ing back the silken founces. How COM
monI'
80, but they're quite nice people" said
Eliza Ann, mistaking the meaning of Miss
Blanche. "Genteel, assure you"
Il dare say" said Miss lanche's aunt,
in a patronizing, mellifuous way, "but
dear Blanche is so fastidious. and Just
about to be married, you know"
Miss Blanche laid hold Of the door han
die of Mr.. Swirton's room at this moment
and gave it an energetic shake.
us this door locked?" demanded she,
sharply. ''Why won't it open?'
20, please don't" faltered Eliza Ann;
ITS one of our boarders, particular
gentleman, and I'll tell you all about the
room, only he won't let anybody in
Perhaps he don't know" said Miss
Beames, purposely elevating her voice,
that we are looking with the intention Of
buying"
Yes" added Aunt Sophie, her own
voice rising a note or two higher, my
niece is to be married to an old man as
rich as Croesus, and we want a stylish
house for the ceremony. 1t don't matter
what we pay, for he'll settle the bills af-
terward Blanche is fortunate, 1 assure
you. Miss Mellick"
And the best of it Is" added Miss
Blanche, with a laugh. that he is 50 old,
it won't be long before he leaves me a
rich young widow
Just at this moment the door Of the big
i.
Sempronious Swirton stood bowling In the
portal, with a red flush upon his temples,
and a peculiar hooking smile playing
around his lips.
walk in ladies, walk In" said he,
you are quite welcome to look at this
room. 1 don't allow 1t to be shown in
general, but you shall be an exception to
the rule
"Semproniusr' faltered Blanche.
things" remorselessly went on the old
gentleman; II shan't settle any little bills
of your neutrality-suspicious. do l intend
to leave Blanche there q rich young wild
ow. To be my widow, 1t is first neces-
sary that you should become my wife, and
I've changed my mind on that subject
And, with a flourish, Mr.. Swirton shut
the door and reiterated once more into his
privacy.
Whex. the peaceful twilight shadows set
tied over the chimney pots all was re-
stored TO quiet again, and Mr.. Swirton
meditated deeply.
I'm well out of that scrape." said he
to himself, land it's a good thing found
Miss Blanche out in time to spoil that
piece of fun about the young widow, But
there's the wedding suit ordered, and the
wedding ring. and I'd made up my mind
to marry somebody. Is that you, Eliza
Amp
Yes, sir" meekly responded that faded
young person. I've brought your cruel,
sir"
Upon my word. Eliza Ann, you've
learned TO make Cruel exceedingly well,
and you're a good girl. Eliza Ann. Did
you ever think Of getting married.
Dear me, sir, what strange ques-
tom said Eliza Ann.
I've a mind to marry you myself, Eliza
Ann, said the old bachelor, abruptly.
And so Eliza Ann Mellick married the
rich old bachelor, after all, and Miss
Blanche still remains Mss Blanche
London News.