Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-01-03
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND MORNING, JANUARY 3
THE OLD MAIDS
BALLOON ASCENSION
A Story Of Aged LovemAkinR
BY John H. Raftery.
BY John H. Raftery.

1t was some time In June that Miss
DENLY began to make a show" Of her
self. From the modest responsibility of
neutral tints cotton gowns and sailor
hat she suddenly burgeoned forth into
such 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 routine of tea drinking and
novel reading, relieved, II not illu-
minated, by daily strolls in the park
and 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 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 child's. In
deed, what most astounded the neigh
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 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.
Mrs. Gallagher had actually caught
the old maid keeping tryst with a
man!
From that day the poor old dress
makers suddenly glorifled 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 n young and dashlng fell
low. ....
after her money, guess" said
Mrs. jenkins to Mrs. Jones over the
back fence.
"No fool like an old fool" winked
Mrs. Jones.
Some said 1t was ''dlsgraceful," 9th
ers suspected that Miss DENLY was n
"little cracked" but they all became
very friendly with her, drank her tea,
admired her gowns and put themselves
In tho UNIV nf honnntn1 har oon6danto
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 1t like this:
Have another cup of tea before
you go, Mrs. Gallagher"
"Sure I've had seven"
Just one more" Then she whls-
pered, 1--WE got secret for you"
Miss DENLY blushed and slmpcred
demurely as she poured the tea, and
her fat guest could hardly wait to
come at the long deferred mystery.
whats your secret, Sophronla?
Sure you amt going to mover
Guess again." glggled the old maid.
Not another new dressT'
mot that"
"Ill give up" admitted the other,
who enjoyed the deception.
"a weddlng!" gurgled Miss DENLY.
But, mind now, It's a secret yet. I'm
going to invite him up-hee-hee, hee-
hee-e-and | want you &c come and
chaperon me-
Mrs. Gallagher was staring open
"Sophronia DENLY" she gasped.
Married! You going to be marriedw
"To the finest. handsomest. noblest.
n prince
"Ah, bOtherw
"a Greek nobleman, Count Sardann-
palus."
"And what business Is he In"
Business! Oh. dear, none! He's a
lobleman; owns an island and all that
sort OF thing
The old maid seemed almost trans
figured with enthusiasm. She said she
lad met her noble lover quite by acct
lent while strOlllng near the beach,
lie had found and restored TO her "A
novel which she had left on n bench.
rhe casual acquaintance thus begun
lad hourlshed by reason OF his won
irous ardor and the fact that she walk
ID daily In the park The count had
Wooed and won her with the fierce
ind swift gellantry OF the old world"
Miss DENLY said. and she had resisted
lin as long rs her sympathetic heart
,ould withstand his eloquencc.
Hes In Chicago to float n loan for
he Greek government" she explained.
AS soon as Crete Is annexed the
count"-a smile and a blush
lis to be absolute ruler Of the island
But he IL very anxious to depart. and
he wedding day must DC fixed tomor-
'ow night. Turkish spies are constant
y Mt his heels. There Is hardly day
hat he does not point one out to me.
have S.eL i''om lurking behind the
pushes, and every tine we part | am
n agony OF fear lest something should
)efall him."
Mrs. Gallagher was staring now like
/ big bullfrog watching red flannel
)ait.
"Will you come up tomorrow night
md meet hlmT she hears Miss DENLY
Iay
II will" murmured the dumfoupdcd
Mrs. Gallagher. backing toward the
loor.
II WIS midnight when she had fin
shed her rounds Of the fats, and at
he hour appointed for the counts ar
Ffval the population OF the building
was on the front steps.
Sure enough, at 8 o'clock the hand.
some foreigner came striding along.
lie paused moment In front Of Miss
Denby's entrance, looked up and down
The street and then sprang nimbly up
the stairway.
The nuttering old maid, assisted"
by Mrs. Pheilm Gallagher, received
him. To the latter he bowed with the
Dunctllious grace Of cavalier Of
France.
with your permission, madam" he