The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-01-21
The OLD MAIDS
BALLOON ASCENSION
BY John H. Raftery.
A Story OF Aged Lovemak

OeuDy DeSdu u iudht u suoW VI ucI-
self From the modest responsibility of
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 a weazen smile, she had retired
permanently from business and settled
down to a routine of tea drinking and
novel reading, relieved, IL not llu-
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 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 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,
shockingLFrench 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 q
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
suitor was a young and dashing fel'
low.
after her money, I guess" said
Mrs. jenkins to Mrs. Jones over the
back fence.
"No fool like an old fool" winked
Mrs. Jones.
Some said 1t was "disgraceful," 9th
ers suspected that Miss DENLY was q
| 'slittle cracked" but they all became
| very friendly with her, drank her tea
admired her gowns and put themselves
In the way of becoming her conf1dants
The good women even began to take
morning tramps in the park, and thu
queer little dressmaker, walking witt
her young suitor, was mortified and
puzzled al, the frequency Of these acct
dental meetings.
Finally Miss DENLY decided to opeI
her heart to Mrs. Gallagher. and shs
did 1t like this:
"Have another cup Of tea befort
you go, Mrs. Gallagher"
"Sure I've had seven"
"Just one more" Then she whis
lpered, 'I've got secret for you."
Miss DENLY blushed and simperet
|demurely as she poured the tea, an
her fat guest could hardly wait t
come at the long deferred mystery.
whats your secret, SOphronia
Sure you amt going to mover
"Guess again." giggled the old maid
mot another new dress?"
Not that"
"Pn give up," admitted the othel
who enjoyed the deception.
"a weddingw gurgled Miss DENLY
"But, mind now. it's a secret yet. Pn
going to invite him up-hee-hee. hes
hee-e-and / want you to come an,
chaperon me-
Mrs Gallagher was staring ope
mouthed.
"Sophronia Denbyw she gasped
"Marriedl You going to be marriedP
ITO the finest, handsomest. nobles
richest-he's a prince
"Ah. botherw
"a Greek nobleman, Count Sardani
palus."
"And what business Is he inr
. "BusinessI oh, dear, none! He's
; nobleman; owns an island and all this
!. sort Of thing"
= The old maid seemed almost tram
Il figured with enthusiasm. She said sh
had met her noble lover quite by acc
dent while strolling near the beacl
1
novel which she had left on a bencl
The casual acquaintance thus begu
. had 6ourished by reason of his VOL
drous ardor and the fact that she wall
ed daily In the park. The count ha
wooed and won her with the fert
: and swift gallantry of the old world
!. Miss DENLY said, and she had resiste
i him as long as her sympathetic hea
g could Withstand his eloquence.
I'll Hes In Chicago to float loan 4
o the Greek government" she explaine
"As soon as Crete is annexed ii
Il rount-my count''-a smile and blu
3 lis to be absolute ruler of the islam
e But he is very anxious to depart. al
the wedding day must be fixed tome
row night. Turkish spies are constar
Iy at his heels. There Is hardly d.
that be does not point one out to m
have seen them lurking behind t
bushes, and every time we part ! a
iu agony of fear lest something shou
befall him."
Mrs. Gallagher was staring now III
a. big bullf-og watching red fanI
\. bait.
N "Win you come up tomorrow mig
ae and meet hIm" she hears Miss Dem
l. say.
1e ~ will" murmured the dumfOund
i'd Mrs. Gallagher, backing toward t
q door.
1t was midnight when she had t
ished her rounds Of the fats. and
the hour appointed for the counts ,