New Ulm review., 1901-12-11
s THE old MAIDS
! BALLOON ASCENSION
! A Story of Aged Lovemaking
{ BY John H. Raftery.
A Story of Aged Lovemaking
BY John Il. Raftery.

neutral tints, cotton gowns and sailor
hat she suddenly burgeoned forth into
such a splendid radiance of millinery
and mode that all her neighbors Won
dered. For Miss DENLY was an old
maid. She had accumulated a modest
fortune making dresses, and, being
fifty-two years old, as she admitted
with Weazen smile, she had retired
permanently from business and settled
down to a routine of tea drinking and
novel reading, relieved, if not illu-
minated, by daily strolls in the park
and Sunday visit to church.
Homely? Not exactly, for she had
bright, busy little eyes, 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 Of her romantic little heart, for
they were as small as a child's. In
deed, what most astounded the neigh
bors when. they first began to 'snotice"
marvellous shoes, slippers and gloves
she wore. For instance, the day Mrs.
Gallagher followed her over to the park
Miss Denby's little tootsies were in
cased in gray undressed kids, With-oh,
shocking French heels. But that was
not what finally set the venomous
tongue Of gossip to wagging.
= H. .f.A
the old maid keeping tryst with
man!
From that day the poor old dress
makers suddenly glorifed 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 1t was evident that
Miss DENLY was in love and that her
suitor was a young and dashing fel.
low.
AFTER her money, guess" said
Mrs. Jenkins to Mrs. Jones over the
back fence.
mo fool like an old fool" winked
Mrs. Jones.
Some said it was "disgra ceful," 9TH
ers suspected that Miss DENLY was
'little cracked,' but they all became
very friendly with her, drank her tea,
admired her gowns and put themselves
in the way Of becoming her confdants.
The good women even began to take
morning tramps in the park, and the
queer little dressmaker, walking with
her young 4litor, was mortified and
puzzled at the frequency Of these acci-
dental meetings.
Finally Miss DENLY decided to open
her heart to Mrs. Gallagher, and she
did it like this:
"Have another cup Of tea before
you 60, Mrs. Gallagher"
"Sure I've had seven"
"Just one more" Then she whis-
pered, 'I've got secret for you.'
Miss DENLY blushed and simpered
demurely as she poured the tea, and
her fat guest could hardly wait to
come at the long deferred mystery.
whats your secret, Sophronia?
Sure you amt going to mover
''Guess again." giggled the old maid.
''Not another new dressT'
"Not that
"I'll give up," admitted the other,
who enjoyed the deception.
ga weddingw gurgled Miss DENLY.
"But, mind now, it's secret yet. I'm
going to invite him up-hee-hee, hee-
hee-e-and want you to come and
chaperon me- II
Mrs. Gallagher was staring open
mouthed.
"Sophronia Denby!' she gasped.
Married! You going to be marriedv'
'To the finest, handsomest, noblest,
richest-he's prince
"Ah, bother!''
"a Greek nobleman, Count Sardana-
palus."
"And what business is he in?'
Business! Oh, dear, none! He's a
nobleman; owns an island and all that
sort of thing
The old maid seemed almost trans
figured with enthusiasm. She said she
had met her noble lover quite by acci-
dent while strolling near the beach.
He had found and restored to her a
| novel which she had left on a 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
wooed and won her with the fierce
and swift gallantry of the old world y
Miss DENLY said, and she had resisted
him as long as her sympathetic heart
| could withstand his eloquence.
He's in Chicago to float a loan for
| the Greek government" she explained.
| 'As soon as Crete is annexed the
country count"-a smile and blush
lis to be absolute ruler Of the island.
But he is very anxious to depart, and
| the wedding day must be fixed tomor-
row night. Turkish spies are constant
| ly at his heels. There is hardly day
| that he does not point one out to me.
| have seen them lurking behind the
| bushes, and every time we part am
| in agony of fear lest something should
befall him."
Mrs. Gallagher was staring now like
| q bip buI1froo WATCHING rcd flannel