The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-09-08

such a point, and you shall sa,
whether it would suit you. Now, d.
you want young, middle-aged or ole
lady ?'
''Oh, think--youngish."
But what do you call youngish
You don't want a girl of sixteen?
No; of course not SO young as that.
Seventeen ~
No"
Eighteen ?"
"Older than that. lam double thai
age. you know"
Are you? Well, then, about what
age shall say 2''
How old are you'll really beg your
pardon. | mean about what age ?"
| The widow smiled complacently.
Il don't mind your knowing my
age. You know very nearly yourself
| am twenty five-getting quite old
So you think a woman of my age
would suit your she said, merrily.
Theodore was certain of it.
Now we has the first requirement
Do you wish to say whether she i:
to be slim or-or shall we say bon,
ny?'"
Il wouldn't put that" said Theo-
| dore, perspiring. ut looks toy-Real.
ly, this is awkward. Just what felt
when l tried. to draw an advertise
ment up. do not like either very
thin Oc fat people,"
What shall l say, then %
Theodore looked again around the
room, came to the conclusion that the
widow was of the proportions he de-
sired.
Like YOU" he said.
Having only just contemplated mat
rimony, he had never bestowed a
thought ON the widows charms until
now, and, fast becoming helplessly in
love, he wished he had gone and shot
himself because he came on his present
errand.
But, you foolish man, how can 1
put that What am 1 ~
You're an angel J"
She laughed merrily.
"Then l must put of angelic proper
tions."
. No. Let us leave that out alto
gether.'
VERY well. Is she to be pretty 81
"Preferably."
Good. looking, at all events p
Yes"
Like myself ?" coquettishly.
That's impossible"
''Is it2 Then shall 1 say of good
appearance p"
Yes" obviously, though it sounds
like barmaid's requirement"
ANY preference as to height ?"
about your height"
well, how tail am [? I'm sure l
don't know"
"Have you measure ?"
She had one on her chatelaine, and
as it never apparently occurred to
either that the simplest method would
be to detach the chatelaine. Theo-
dore felt much embarrassment while
he performed Eis task, measuring the
pretty widow first from the ground to
the chatelaine, and then from the
chatelaine to her crown of hair. In
deed, SO hurried was he that the opera
ton had to be performed no less than
three times before lie was at all certain
as to her height.
Five feet five," he pronounced.
us she to be musical ?" continued
the widow.
Theodore paced around the room.
Musical! A hitherto unthought of
possible calamity now presented itself
TO him. Musicall What an escape
Suppose he had rashly engaged him
self to 4 musical being who was not
musical-who was "shoddy" musical
1t would have been the one thing to
make him committee suicide.
Meanwhile the widow, probably
guessing what was passing in his mind,
for she knew him to be a lover of
music, left her visitor for moment.
But what was that Theodore heard !?
A lovely voice singing softly with such
thrilling sweetness that his whole soul
was moved. All, what would he not
give to possess the owner of that voice!
Whoever could it be Not the widow.
But it was, and at that moment size
re-entered the room.
"Have you made up your mind %
she merrily inquired.
Eyes, l want some one who is really
he replied.
"Well, but every girl will say she is
that"
What shall l do 2''
But l don't care for any musical
lady that / know of-except one," he
added, confusedly.
"Then why not ask her ~
OLE WOuluu UdN6 u6. L SIOulO
never think of asking"
How do you know she would refuse
when you have never asked p
"She's too good for me-"
Nonsense There is no woman too
good for you"
"Thank you, but really couldn't
ask"
How do you know she is not in
al, =. L
you ought to-"
"Oh, but it's most unlikly."
Suppose it is likely" persisted the
widow. SHOULD you in that case dis
approve of her telling your"
No, think we'll leave musical out
of the question. If | was only sure of
her being as musical as you"
why, you silly man! You are
thing"
81 do"
But he went no further, and the
widow proceeded
lis she to be domesticated Of
course if she is to be like me, will
put it so. Now is there anything else q
Money!
mo"
"Then we'll draw up the advertise
ment."
THAT l can't do" said Theodore.
''I'm really very sorry to have given
you all this trouble, but can't do it,"
What will you do %
II don't know. Remain bachelor,
perhaps. Anyhow, l won't advertise.
You'll pardon me for the trouble
have given you?'
"Oh, don't mention it. / should be
very glad to help you-more glad than
l can say. 1t is so sad to see good
man like you have such solitary ex-
istence."
You are very kind. Good-morn-
ing"
Good, morning. But stay a mo-
ment. Did you not say" continued
she, blushing, that you would prefer
some one like me for your wife ~
Yes"
"Then why not ask me -
And he did.
TvTcnnn 1Dnn