Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1901-12-22
THE old MAIDS
BALLOON ASCENSION
BY John II. Raftery.

Denny began 10 make a SHOW OF htf-
self. From the modest responsibility OF
neutral tints. cotton gowns and a sailor
hat she suddenly burgeoned forth Into
such a splendid radiance 81 millinery
and mode that all her neighbors Won
dercd. For Miss DENLY was an old
maid. She had accumulated a modest
fortune making dresses. and. being
iifsy-two years old, as she admitted
with n weazen smile. she had retired
permanently from business and settled
down TO n routine OF tea drinking and
novel reading. relieved. N not Illu-
minated. by daily strolls In the park
and a sunday visit 10 church.
Homelyg Not exactly. for she had
bright. busy little eyes. a straight nose
that had not always been as red as
now and a cute mouth that puckered
up at the corner when she smiled. Her
form was Of the ironing board" style
THAT Is. neither plump nor angular
but her hands and feet were the chief
pride u her romantic little heart. for
they were as small as a chlld's. In
deed. what most astounded the neigh
bors when they first began 10 notice"
the old maids transformation were the
marvellous shoes. slippers and gloves
she wore. For Instance. the day Mrs.
Gallagher followed her over 10 the park
Miss Denby's little tootsies were in
cased In gray undressed kids. with-oh.
Northumberland heels. But that vas
not what finally set the venomous
tongue Of gossip 20 wagglng.
Mrs. Gallagher had actually caught
the old maid keeping tryst with
man!
From that day the poor old dress
makers suddenly glorihed wardrobe
was explained Mrs Gallagher had
watched her foregather with a hand
some. dark haired stranger and, lean
Ing on his stalwart arm. stroll away
among the trees. II was evident that
Miss DENLY was 81 love and that her
sutton was a young and dashing fell
low.
after her money. I guess" said
Mre. Jenkins 10 Mrs. Jones over the
back fence.
NO fool Ike an old fool" winked
Mrs. Jones.
Some said II was "disgraceful." 9th
ers suspected that Miss DENLY was n
'lIttle cracked" bot they all became
very friendly with her. drank Der tea,
admired her gowns and put themselves
IN the way OF becoming her conGdants.
The good women even began 10 take
morning tramps in the park. and the
queer little drcssmakor. walking with
her young suitor was mortified and
puzzled nc the frequency OF these acci-
dental meetings
Finally Miss DENLY decided TO open
her heart 70 Mrs. Gallagher. and she
did Il Ike this:
Have another cup OF tea before
you 60. Mrs. Gallagher"
"Sure I've had seven"
"Just one more" Then she whis-
pered. 1--WE got n secret FOR you"
Miss DENLY blushcd and simpcred
demurely as she poured the tea. aud
her lat guest could hardly wait 20
come az the long deferred mystery.
What's your secret Sophronial
Sure you amt going 90 mover
Guess again." giggied the old maid.
'Not another new dressT'
"Not that"
"G'll give up admitted the other,
who enjoyed the deception.
a wedding gurglcd Miss DENLY.
But. mind now. it's secret yet Tm
going 20 invite him up-hee-hec. bee
hee-e-and want you &c come aad
chaperon me-
Mrs. Gallagher was staring open
mouthcd
"Sophronla Dcnbyr she raepel.
Married! Ycu going to he marr.edr'
TO the finest. haulsomcst. uoulest,
richest-he's a prince
"Ah. bother"
"a Greek nobleman. Count Sardana.
palus."
"And what business Is De inf"
"Buslncss, GA dear uoae He's n
owns au island and all that
sort of thing
The old on I'D SEEMED almost trans
figured with enthusiasm She said she
had mct her uo. lower quite by accl-
dent while strollnr near the beach.
lie had found aud restored to her
novel which she had left on n bench
The casual acquaintance thus begun
had fourished by reason Of his won
drous ardor and the fact that she walk
ed daily IN the park The count had
wo0ed and won her with the fierce
and swift cailantry Of the old world"
Miss DENLY said aud she had resisted
him as long ~ h'r sympathetic heart
could withstand his oloqucnce
He's in Chicago TO toIt o loan for
The Grrrs government sue explained
cas- soon rs Crete Is annexed The
conn uy count" a smile and "a blush
els TO be- absolute ruler ~ the Island.
Bur be Is very anxious 10 depart. and
the wedding day must b. Fixed tomor.
row night. Tur. ish spies are constant
~ 40 his heels There Is hardly n dag
tibet o. does not point one OFT to me.
hr,e seen them lurking hcaind t-e