Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1901-11-18
THE OLD MAIDS
BALLOON ASCENSION
A story OF Aged Lovennaking
BY John z. R2ftery.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS s.1 ....@s:.-s : sEa2ssg,

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1t was some tine in June that Mis-
DENLY BEGAN TO make a show" OF ms
self. From the modest responsibility of
neutral tiuts. cotton gowns and a sailor
Lat she suddenly burseoued forth into
such a splendid radiance Of millinery
ana mode that all her neighbors Won
tered For Miss DENLY WIS al old
maid She had accumulated modest
fortune making dresses. and, being
fifty-two years old, as she admitted
with a wea9en smile. she had retired
permanently from business and settled
down TO a routile of tea drinking and
novel reading. relieved. if not illu-
minated. by daily strolls in the park
and Il Sunday visit to church.
Homely? 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 We're the chief
pride of her romantic little heart. for
they were as small as a child's. In
bors when they first began TO notice"
the old maids transformation were the
marvellous shoes. slippers and gloves
she wore For instance. the day Mrs.
Gallagher followed her over TO the park
Miss Denhy's little tootsieS We're in
cased in gray undressed kids. with-oh,
Northumberland heels. But that was
not what finally set the venomous
tongue of gossip TO wagging.
Mrs. Gallagher had actually caught
the old maid keeping tryst with
man,
From that day the poor old dress
makers suddenly glorified 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
sutton was young and dashing fell
low
after her money, l guess" said
back fence.
NO fool like an old fool" winked
Mrs. Jones.
Some said it was "disgraceful," 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 confidants.
The good women even began to take
morning tramps in the park. and the
queer little dressmaker. walking with
her young sutton, was mortified and
puzzled at the frequency of these acct
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 go. Mrs. Gallagher"
Sure I've had seven"
Just one more" Then she whis
pered, I've got a secret for you
Miss DENLY blushed and simpere1
demurely as she poured the tea. AID
her fat guest could hardly wait TO
come at the long deferred mystery.
What's your secret, SophroniaT
Sure you amt going to mover
Guess again." giggled the old maid.
Not another new dressT'
Not that"
i ii give up. dulllltetl the Olhel-
who enjoyed the deception.
"A wedding" gurgled Miss DENLY.
But. mind now. it's secret yet. I'm
going to invite him up-hee-hee. bee
hee-e-and l want you &c come and
chaperon me-
Mrs. Gallagher was staring open
mouthed.
"Sophronia Denbyw she gasped.
Married, You going to be married"
ITO the finest. handsomest. noblest.
richest-he's prince
"Ah. botherr'
"A Greek nobleman. Count Sardana
palus."
And what business is he IMP
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 acct
dent while strolling near the beach
He had found and restored to her a
novel which she had left on bench.
The casual acquaintance thus begun
had flourished 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,
Miss DENLY said. and she had resisted
him as long as her sympathetic heart
could withstand his eloquence.
Hes 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 be 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-
l have seen them lurking behind the
bushes. and every time we part | am
iu agony OF fear lest something should
befall him"