The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-08

fluffy girl. Il let all mine get away"
4 need not say" said the widow girl, that tbs
idea OF Mr.. Darling"
IA long drawn out "A--h-h-h-h!" from the mem
hers here caused the widow girl TO pause in EN-.
barrassment.l
Caring for M IN that way had never once
entered my mind"
tCries of "Oh, no-Ofcourse not. Coon. We're
easy.'I
"our friendship Was one OF those delightful ones
tina, seem more like q fairy tale than reality. As |
now look back"
Rubber -, whispered the medical student.
"Over the last few months and recall the vauou
tokens Of esteem and affection that marked our
acquaintance | can readily see that while | reyelled
in the idea that at last | had a true, pla,onic friend
MIR, Daring's analysis Of our acquaintance,
although unsupported by me. was correct. from
the very beginning
And the Boy Guessed Right the Very First
Time" softly hummed the newspaper girl.
But the circumstances OF the engagement were
tragic, farcical and most unique. may say"
tCnes Of "Yes!-Yes! Get at it"l
Living alone as ! have for the last two years
and having the responsibility Of "a home"
"Ihave a little nat
And I'm very fond Of that.
But I'd rather have the big waldorf"
sang the club members, gently in unison.
1T was only necessary went on the widow,
that in seeking a maid l should endeavor 10 Sc
cure one possessed Of qualities more attractive
than those Of the usual housemaid. For this
reason | have always had laundry and roughwork
done by help hired by the day SO that I might
have a dainty, neat maid sboutthe house.
For a long time | searched in vain, 1t gave
me an interest in life and helped 10 take my mind
from sad events that oppressed me"
lSubdued coughing and smiling from the club.
My friends laughed at my ambitions In this
line Finally ! SURPRISED them by saying that
l sought, She was a light mulatto girl, fresh
from Charleston. She was pretty, neat, affec-
tionate and had a soft voice and all the alluring
charm Of manner that mark the we'll trained
Southern servant In com arison 10 The Northern
negro girls she was, a. | told Ere Mr.. Darling,
like a fresh magnolia blossom
$50 he christen.d her The Blossom. She
waited upon me- like a slave, kept my gown and
laces and linens in perfect order. She sat on the
floor at my knees and told me beautiful stories
about her Southern home, and ! idealJed her and
made her more OF a conldante and a friend than a
servant. | began ~ plan for her future and had
resolved that she should never leave ME until she
married happily and we'll
Its a craze with her, suggested tie Medical
Student SO'tD rOcp.
~ was about this time that Mr. Darling began
10 he very attentive, calling every afternoon, and
IIf 80 " W lhAAAg h'AHbA IlAi4 ANHt
was always talking in his praise and as she helped
me dress II amused ne TO near her quaint southern
expressions Of admiration. 1t grew TO BE- a posi-
"One day she said Oh-.Niss Mary-why don
yeh ask that genl'man 10 dinnah? He jes lux so
sad and hungry,-,when he goes away afternoons
as though he'd lax 10 stay longah!
Here were the Blossoms Southern traits as
serting themselves. II amused me immensely.
Very well. Blossom. | said, we shall ask him TO
dinnah..a dinnnh-for four say-how would
"'Oh-don' have no crowd-Miss Mary.
I jes' wan a see ies' yew tew stttin' at the table.
Yeh, do look SO onesome--si,tin theyAh all alone!
80, Just to oblige BlosSom--
fGroans from tho club
'Iinyited MIN informally 10 dinner and he ac-
cepted. blossom was as delighted as a clhld.
We planned a menu that was to be sent in from
a hotel and iust as a joke we made itup that |
should say Cooked everything"
How humming from the club with coughs.
blossom was TO wait on the table in a new gown
and a big white apron
IThe Fluffy girl and the Medical Student be.
gan 10 take notes.
and said Oh Miss Mary-haint yeh got any
oystah fawks2 1t do seem 50 strange TO me-to
have no oystah fawks!'
and linen had been locked up in a little oaken chest
In the dining room for ever so long. Most OF II
was wedding presents. | knew 1t would please
Blossom TO have all he pretty things outs o We went
in together and unlocked the chest and took out
the monogramed silver and the lace edged doylies,
and Blossom = eyes grew big when | showed her
the drawer that held my jewels ~
'YOuah-m wear them all, she said delight
eddy, with yeh' white lace gown! And | agreed.
ave set the table together at IL in the morn.
ing. There were pink candles and shades and
all the silver things. and 1t really looked beautiful,
We agreed that all il needed was q low dish OF
pink roses in the centre and Blossom, who was
Il great hand at picking out flowers, was 70 &c!
them from the florists, that afternoon. Then !
went out 10 do some shopping.
Il reached home at g. Blossom met me at the
door minus her usual smiles, knew something
was the matter and somehow l guessed what
She led me into the dining room and pointed
10 the table -silveress and the empty safe, She
burst into a passion OF wild tears ana lamenh-
tons. II you've never heard a southern colored
girl cry, you don't know what grief can sound
"'All gnwn!' she sobbed. Every thing GAVIN
Tho girl seemed crazy with seli-reproach and
flowers and when she came back the place was dis
mantled. 1t was cleaned out So thoroughly as
to make one wonder. All my travelling bags
had been used to carry away the booty.
II quoted Blossom and pulled myself together.
Then | rang up o messenger and despatched him
% the nearest station house With a note. The
detectives came around and examined the doors
and declared that the apartment had been entered
IAN YOU can do now said one Of them, Is to
notify Police Headquarters SO that they may be
able to send out an alarm and a description Of the
things 10 the pawnshupS Nhere the thleves VIII
probably take them
80 | drove quickly downtown ana toIl .he
Chief Of Detectives and gave him a list of ,he
things as well as | could remember them, and he
sent one of his best men home with me. II we
see the premises and tbs nature Of the work,
he said. we may be able tn trace the thieves
"Goiug ZONE the detective told me that this
sort Of thing happened every day, Blossom
let MS In. Her eyes were still red and she looked
Wosl@g one. She came into the dining room
witt Us and began TO describe how she found
things on her return from the ~tlorst's.
Did you give an alarm? he asked her,
she bagan to cry. 1 was so narvous ] les
cried ill Miss Mary came home she said. And
she sobb.d aGain,
BE quiet, Blossom, | said. and Tell the gentls-
man all about it,
What was that name, may | ask he said.
blossom | said. lie began W laugh. II
annoyed me-. Blossom started TO tell him in her
queer Southern lingo. She was almost hyster.
ical anu he never looked al her as she faltered
ont her very straightforward story. Suddenly
lie threw back his head, like a man taking aim
at a target with o revolver, and fastened his eyes
on her face IN terrible fashion.
blossom he said. I think you know moro
about this.
She threw herself on my shoulder and bega An
n cry again. / put my arm around her and beg an
TO cry TOO. ] was terribly indignant. You arc
mistaken, detective, | said; the girl knows nothing
about III She IL ~ honest a. gold
The man wtnked at me--poauveH wtnksd.