The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-02-01

hrs. SMITHS LODGERS


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When my husband died, he left me
with little money and an invalid daugh-
ter. Fortunately. our house, with its
pretty garden at the back, was left us.
dodgers came and went and very cheer
fully added their rent payments to the
sum which kept in an empty tea chest.
Finally there came Il good looking boy Of
- or so. employed on a big morning pa
per during the week and until late hour
on Saturday upon a Sunday paper.
Mr.. Ivry 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 a room and
tie privilege Of preparing her own break
fasts and Suppers, and she would be
away at her work at a 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 watchfulncss and
friEhtful anxiety jumped into my mini.
told her l feared the only room had
would be too small aud too plain TO suit,
but if she would like to look at it-and
led the way to Mr.. Ivry's room.
a little sigh of resignation over MY
finty price. "anj l will come tomorrow
evening at about l."
And at what time will you be going
away in the morning?" l asked US cas-
ually as possible.
ooh, dreadful early. l must breakfast
at 6 and be in my place at 1 sharp.
Will you kindly let your maid call me at
half past ., for sometimes | am so
sleepy"
assured her that 1 would gladly
waken her myself, being always an early
riser.
She came, and four whole days passed
before the awful possibilities of Sunday
dawRcd upon me. | felt that | had al
ready sufficiently narrowing time-re-
modelling the room in the morning for
Mr.. Ivry and clearing it up i'll the even
ing for Miss Hardy. More than once |
had what my husband would have called
a 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.
thought of several things. but finally had
to cast myself on Miss Hardy's compass
sion. | told her that a friend of mine
was coming to spend Sunday with me,
and l had no quiet corner, nothing. i'll
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 a special favor to
me? Miss Hardy promptly answered
"Yes"
l felt myself grow red with shame,
thinking Of my deception. but still had
a suliricncy 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.. lvry's
things. and Mr. Ivry, finding a thimbie
and hatpin which | had clumsily over
looked, politely handed them to me with
ont even a Thought of suspicion.
The time fled swiftly. and soon another
unarranged Sunday confronted me. 1t
was Mr.. Ivry's turn to be diverted from
the room.
Now. | would take q 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 would glad
ly make q 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 lHV but
instant compassion and ready compliance.
The next Saturday afternoon at
quarter to 6 Mr.. Ivry went away with
his dress suit case and umbrella and
smiling soodby. But all was not over. l
was sitting in or own little room one
evening when the blow fell. When
heard the hall door open and close and
recognized the quick step bounding up
the stairs. knew the end had come.
Evidently Mr.. Ivry had hastily re-
turned for some important forgotten
thing and tried to unlock the door. l
heard Miss Hardy utter an exclamation
and bound to the door, which she must
have opened quite violently.
what do you mcan?" cried Miss
Harty's voice in startled intensity.
Il beg pardon, but ! left began Mr..
Ivry.
"You are mistaken! This is my
Excuse me, it is my room
''If you don't go away this minute. III
call Mrs. Smith.
VIII you listen a moment? l left
some papers here
Mrs. Smith,
lin the inside pocket of my mackin-
tosh''-
Mrs Smith,
that hangs on-or did hang an hour
ago--in the corner by tho
BY this time they must have taken a
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 l could distinguish moth
ing for few moments. Finally came a
few sentences in Miss Hardy's clear. but
slightly trembling. voice:
Il am here because l am at work.
Papa died a year ago. He lost all his
money, and he couldn't get over it. | am
as poor as you are now"
Thank heavenT' said Mr.. Ivry very
ferven:ly.
Sat the last papa was very sorry for
for everything. lie told me to see you.
But you had gone-I did not know where,
and u
.'Oh. this is splendid r. began Mr..
Ivry.
Don't you mind now, mamma" whis-
pered my daughter. They're so happy
they'll forgive you everything"
And so they did.-Boston Traveller.