The Somerset reporter., 1902-01-16
| THE OLD MAIDS
! BALLOON ASCENSION
A Story of Aged LovemakinR
: BY JOHN H. Raftery.
BY John II. Raftery.

DENLY began to make a show" of her.
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 a weazen smile, she had retired
permanently from business and settled
down to routine Of tea drinking and
novel reading, relieved, If not illu-
minated, by daily strolls in the park
and Sunday visit to church.
Homeiy? Not exactly, for she had
bright, busy little eyes, a straight nose
that had not always been as .Eed as
now and a cute mouth that pGckered
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
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
/ Tfc
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 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
sutton was a young and dashing fell
low.
After her money, l guess" said
Mrs. Jenkins to Mrs. Jones over the
back fence.
mo fool like an old fool" winked
| Mrs Jones.
| Some said 1t was "disgraceful," 9th
! ers suspected that Miss DENLY was q
! "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 suitor 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 whs-
| pered, ave got a 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 moyeF
Guess again" giggled the old maid
Not another new dress?'
Not that"
I'll give up" admitted the other,
who enjoyed the deception.
a wedding 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 tc come and
chaperon me-
Mrs. Gallagher was staring open
mouthed.
"Sophronia Denbyw she gasped.
Married! You going to be married.
ITO the finest, handsomest, noblesr,
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 acct
dent while strolling near the beach.
/ He had found and restored to her u
novel which she had left on bench.
The casual acquaintance thus begun
had hourished 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 cloquence.
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 a 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
big bulfrog watching a red flannel
| bait
! "Will You come up tomorrow night
! and meet hlm?" she hears Miss DENLY