The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-09-27
AN OLD MAIDS STORY.


I am an old maid. Do not put
down my story, gentle reader, I have
another revelation to make-I am a
decidedly plain-looking old maid.
think it right to tell you the truth in
the beginning, SO that if you are ex-
pecting to hear a succession of roman
tic adventures, hairbreadth escapes of
maiden beautiful as. a houri, grace
full as sylph, you will not be disap-
pointed when you peruse this "over-
true tale" am just an ordinary
mortal, with dark brown hair, inclin-
ed to curl, eyes of the same shade, ir-
regular features, pale, dark complex
ion, and figure so slight and small
as to appear delicate.
Neither have I so lovely and gra-
cious manner, or facility in conver-
sation that one would not think of
the plain exterior. I have neither
sweetness or brilliancy. My face is
passive and expression1ess. I have
always lived a retired life, and in de-
fault of much society have solaced
myself with books and castle build
ing. My soul though loving and
reaching out after all that is fair and
beautiful, has, from an over sensitive
nature been closely shut up in its
prison-house.
When growing into young lady
hood, I must confess to devouring
such quantity of novels as to pas
sionately desire beauty and heroic
lover. I however reached sixteen
and even seventeen, to find that my
hair had not grown luxuriant, my
eyes velvety, my complexion peaches
and cream; in fact my appearance
was just the same as ever, onlymo, SO.
Therefore, instead of moonlight
walks, soirees, rides and drives, that
other and more favored maidens boast
ed of, I, quiet, pale-faced Annie Col
Inns, remained contentedly at home,
all the romantic notions / had ever
held taking flight, and 1 resolved to
submit to life of single blessedness.
I now betook myself more than
ever to reading. I quickly devoured
all that my uncle's library held, bor-
rowed volumes from my friends, ex-
hausted the village library, and laid
up in the storehouse of my mind food
to nourish and amuse me in all the
years which I expected to pass alone.
One day while sitting with my aunt
darning stockings and dreaming of
nothing unusual, an invitation came
from Mrs. Browning to attend a soiree
to be given at her house. Mrs.
Browning was one of the wealthiest
and most aristocratic ladies of Hud-
son she had large library, access
to which had been granted me through
the intervention of our rector, and as
I had read books rather out of the
common for young ladies to select,
she had conceived the idea that I was
genius, hence the invitation to meet
literary lions at her house.
Now / had never attended a soiree,
save in imagination with the lovely
heroines of whom 1 had read; and
although was somewhat terrified at
the idea, I was anxious to go. True
I had attended few parties given by
our neighbors, when had from a
corner watched the progress of va
rious firtations, but this was another
matter. My dress was now an i'm
portant subject, and examining my
scanty wardrobe, I selected a black
lace dress, which I thought with the
addition of few crimson roses, would
make me presentable, and to tell the
truth, when arrayed for the occasion
I looked we'll.
When 1 found myself in Mrs.
Browning's spacious rooms, surround
ed by fair and handsomely dressed
women, with the music and dancing,
the lights and flowers, the smiles,
dimples, and bright eyes, the bril-
liant conversation and repartee, / felt
a pang because I was mot like other
girls"
Gradually my philosophic spirit
gained the ascendency over the imag-
inatiofl realized that I was not in
a dream the bright faces, gay dresses,
and the darker, taller forms in the
background became more tangible,
and l gave myself up to my favorite
occupation-the study of human ma
ture. soon became amused in
watching divers 1irtations, and edited
in listening to small talk. Soon
singled out among the gentlemen, one
taller, handsomer than the rest the
full battery of smiles and graces was
bent on storming this fortress.
One little fairy tried to subdue him
with sweet glances and soft tones
another, tall, imperious beauty,
flashed brilliant glances from beneath
her long, dark lashes, as Mr.. Sunder-
land addressed first one and then the
other. I amused myself with watch
ing until my eyes, aching with the
glare and glitter, I picked up book
lying on table, to regain my breadth
in my natural element.
I turned over a few leaves, when,
feeling a powerful glance, 1 looked uI
to encounter the gaze Of the hand.
some, dark eyes of Mr.. Sunderland
fixed full upon me- did not faint
l saw the gentleman turn and seek
out Mrs. Browning in a few mo-
ments the two approached me, and
was duly introduced. Every idea left