The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-02-02

earth it is possible for such a metamor-
phosis to have taken place. Not a
month ago we sat lere, two hardened
bachelors. determined to remain so to
the end of our days, and now find
you transformed to a most devoted
husband"
A hearty laugh was the immediate
answer to this outburst, and DR.. Tren-
ton, to whom it was addressed. took a
puff at his pipe before replying.
well, you see, JIM" he said, 81
thought II would he fun to surprise
you thoroughly for once. But Della
shall tell you the story, and you may
be surprised to learn that you your
self, uncOnsciously, l admit, made up
the match"
II suppose it is for penance, Will,
that am to narrate my own mistakes
and misdeeds to Mr.. Allison. Two
months ago | was a stupid little coun-
try girl. Ny eldest brother had sent
for me to keep his house. Our parents
have been dead many years and l had
lived with an aunt. Henry, my BROTH
er, had written me that it would be i'm
possible for him to meet me at the
depot, and that should drive to the
Tudor Flats, where he was living on
the fourth floor. My poor brain was
certainly in whirl after my long drive
through the noisy streets. When l ar
rived at the Tudor Flats, walked
bravely up the stairs.
81 know you will laugh at me dread
fully, Mr.. Allison, but you must re-
member that | had never before seen
so many stairs. In my ignorance |
was unaware that the entresol does not
count: therefore, when | arrived at a
landing there door was ajar and an
old man servant replying to an IN
quirer that the doctor would not be
home until . o'clock, | naturally con-
cluded that had reached my journeys
end, for my brother also bears the title
doctor. To old James's establishment |
walked calmly in, saying:
The doctor expects me. Please
have my luggage seen to-
"'But Miss, l don't know he ven
tured. L have the stri test orders never
to allow any one to enter my masters
study during his absence
81 am the doctors sister and he
himself arranged my coming l an
Swered, condeScendingly.
with that he admitted me, mutter-
ing, Never heard about a sister, into
the smoky, dusty apartments, which l
assumed to be my brothers.
Much to James's CONSERVATION, l
set to work and busted the furniture
and books, spread a clean cloth on
the table and prepared lunch Though
James informed me Master never eats
at homeo of fresh butter homemade
bread, cheese, ham and apples; then
decorated the room with roses and
hOneysuckle brought from home.
ITO pass away the time l took up a
book and began to read A note fell
out of this book My eyes fell on the
first words and my attention was in
stantly attracted. 1t was signed Chas.
Allison. and read:
Dear Old Man-So you have de-
cided to install that awful creature in
your house, though you acknowledge
that all hopes of peace and comfort Of
your life will be gone. My dear fell
low, do be advised and give up this
preposterous idea. AT any rae, don't
be surprised if cut your acquaintance
for the present and leave you TO enjoy
the company of Della. Your friend,
Charlie Allison
my dear lady," interrupted Charlie,
you don't mean to say it isn't pos
sihle that any misunderstanding arose
out of that? My dislike and
Il do mean to say So" she replied,
laughing. 1T was quite possible-in-
deed. natural should assume that
those words referred to me- / was at
f st highly indignant and then began
to cry. My resolution was soon form
ed. | would 90 away at once and not
ever see the heartless brother who had
discussed rue in such a manner before
my arrival.
''Whle repaclling my bag came up
on photograph of myself. A sudden
impulse made me write few words
on the back of it and leave it on the
table. Then heard steps outside. 1t
was Henry, thought. He should not
find me there. Seeing the door of a
small room open, | slipped in and
closed it behind me-"
LET me tell the rest" interrupted
the doctor: II fancied 1 was dreaming
as l became aware of the invitingly-
spread table: then | noted two covers
laid as if for delightful tete-a-tete,
and upon my napkin photograph
of the sweetest face l had ever seen.
Listen to what was written under it:
LAS / am so ugly; as l destroy your
peace, and drive away your friends,
leave you to lunch alone and shall find
a home elsewhere
"While puzzling about what this
u1iUht nnoan haar1 forrifi0 uoII
from Della, my parrot; l opened the
storeroom door and Della, my wife,
fell into my arms.
"After explanations had been made
restored her to brother Henry as
housekeeper, but claimed her in five
weeks for my own. Now do you be-
lieve that you are a matchmaker
Boston Post