Little Falls herald., 1900-09-14
- = = - - - - So - = - -.
! ! MRS. SMITHS ! \; LODGERS |)|| !:

pretty garden at the back. was left US.
Lodgeis came and went and very cheer
fully added heir rent payments to the
sum which kept in an empty tea chest.
Finally there came good looking boy of
"a or so, employed on a big morning pa
, per during the week and until late hour
on Saturday upon Sunday paper.
Mr.. Iyry said his room was very nice,
and he had been under my roof two
weeks when Miss Hardy came. She
came in the evening, when, luckily, had
just finished setting Mr.. Ivry's little
room in order. She wanted room and
the privilege of preparing her own break
fasts and suppers, and she would be
away at her work at big milliner's dur
ing the day.
Now, every Granny Of my house was
full, unless-and here the wild plan which
led to such constant watchfulness and
frightful anxiety jumped into my mind.
I told her feared the only room had
would be too small and too plain to suit,
but if she would like to look at it-and
led the way to Mr.. Ivry's room.
II will take the room," she said, with
a little sigh of resignation over my
flinty price, "and l will come tomorrow
evening at about T."
''And at what time will you be going
away in the morning?' l asked as cas-
ually as possible.
"Oh, dreadful early. 1 must breakfast
at 6 and be in my place at Z sharp.
VIII you kindly let your maid call me at
half past 5, for sometimes l am so
sleepy"
l assured her that l would gladly
waken her myself. being always an early
riser
She came, and four whole days passed
before the awful possibilities of Sunday
dawned upon ME. l felt that l had al
ready sufficiently narrowing time-re-
modelling the room in the morning for
Mr.. Ivry and clearing it up in the even
ing for Miss Hardy. More than once
had " hat my husband would have called
close shave to prevent their meeting.
What with falsehood and hard work and
wearyIng watchfulness, my nerves were
already becoming shaky.
How to keep Miss Hardy out of her
room from half past 6 to half past or
longer on Sunday was the question. l
thought Of several things. but finally had
to cast myself on Miss Hardy's compass
sion. l told her that friend Of mine
was coming to spend Sunday with me,
and l had no quiet corner, nothing, in
fact, but my bedroom and the kitchen,
and would she mind giving up her room
just for the day-and as early in the
morning as possible-as special favor to
me? Miss Hardy promptly answered
"Yes"
l felt myself grow red with shame,
thinking Of my deception. but still l had
a sutficiency of scares during that time
one morning Miss Hardy, running back
for handkerchief, and, finding me Wild
~ removing her effects as if engaged in
fire drill. and only able to stammer some
thing about ''sweeping day. and one
evening catching ME just outside her
door with the last armful of Mr.. Ivry's
things. and MIR. Ivry, finding thimble
and hatpin which had clumsily over
looked, politely handed them to me with
out even thought of suspicion.
The time fed swiftly. and soon another
unarranged Sunday confronted me. 1t
was Mr.. Ivry's turn to be diverted from
the room.
Now, l would take bold stand and
say to him that he would be comforting
a great favor if he would find some other
room for just that day, and l would glad
ly make suitable reduction in his rent
and be so much obliged. made the sug-
gestion to him with fear and trembling,
but the dear boy had nothing for me but
instant compassion and ready compliance.
The next Saturday afternoon at
quarter to 6 Mr.. 1vry went away with
his dress suit case and umbrella and a
was sitting in our own little room one
kho "hnr I
heard the hall door open and close and
recognized the quick step bounding up
the stairs, knew the end had come.
turned for some important forgotten
heard Miss Hardy utter an exclamation
have opened quite violently.
"What do. you mean?" cried Miss
Hardy's voice in startled intensity.
II beg pardon, but left began Mr..
Ivry.
"You are mistaken! This is N.Y.
''Excuse me, it is my ROOM
'1f you don't so away this minute, I'll
call Mrs. Smith.
"Will you listen moment? left
some papers here
''Mrs. Smith,
Tin the inside pocket of my mackin
tosh''-
Mrs. Smith,"
that hangs on-or did hang an hour
ago-in the corner by the"-
By this time they must have taken
look at each other, and there came lit
tie cry from Miss Hardy.
"Philip-Mr. Ivry!'
Then there was such confusion OF ex-
CARNATIONS that could distinguish moth
ing for few moments. Finally came
few sentences in Miss Hardy's clear, but
slightly trembling, voice:
II am, here because / am at work.
Papa died a year ago. He lost all his
money, and he couldn't get over it. I am
as poor>as you are now"
''Thank heaven" said Mr.. 1vry very
fervently. VI
"At the last papa was very sorry for
for everything. He told me to see you.
But you had gone-1 did not know where,
and p r..
"Oh, this is splendid! I''--: began Mr..
Ivry. - :
"Don't you mind now, mamma" whis-
pered my daughter. They're so happy
they'll forgive you everything" r..