Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-10

1.-THE
Nice Old Person.

/ had been in the courts till nearly :.
and afterward strolling up into Ike
gent-st.. had met Lady Jane Gretton,
dear, elderly lady who had known my
father well and whom counted as a
friend, she represented one of my few
remaining links with the aristocratic
world. had been chatting by the door
of her carriage for a few moments.
,siMell. goodby, you dreadful Bohe-
milan .creature,Y she said, giving me an
affcctionate squeeze of the hand. Il do
wish you'd get on, Christ" she added,
as a regretful afterthought.
ooh. | do--thirty- last Shrove
Tuesday. pom my word" / replied rue
fully.
You know what l mean-become a
X c.. or something or other-be bril-
liantly successful"
ITS so vulgar!' said, with a shake
of my head.
She looked at me critically and gave
motherly sigh
The former is comfy, and the latter
can be put UP with. Goodby. I'll
come to breakfast with you some MORN
ing if you promise not to have it before
H.
She laughed, and l watched the dear
old soul drive away; then l turned and
strolled back to the Strand, and from
there to Saxbury Court which was a
delightfully."- quiet little nook, composed
of some dozen old fashioned houses let
off in suites to law people. writing per-
sons. artists and a few others of "a like
type. We all knew one another, and
were a cheerful little community.
l made my way up to my own rooms,
and had no sooner lighted my pipe and
made myself comfortable than the door
opened. and Il young person entered
like a whi,lwind. She danced across to
my chair, and held paper bag up be-
fore my eyes.
Il am going to have tea with you
Christ" she announced.
Il notice you very frequently do I
observed.
And I've brought a treat-now,
guess" she cried, dangling the bag.
"crumps." 1 ventured.
She shook her head with n laugh, and
displayed the contents triumphantly.
Just gorgeous little chocolate cakes
they're ever so nice!"
And expensive" l murmured.
Dear economical old person! You
forget I'm earning two pounds week
and it was treasury to-day. Doesn't
it sound jolly?"
She removed her haiti was an al
Turing little toque-and set about
things with a business like air. Tea
was always self-made feast at No. 2
Saybury Court. Smoking my pipe l
watched her refiectively.
Kitty was the only daughter of an old
haprictar friend of mine who had
died some little time ago, leaving her
badly provided for. SO Kitty had to
work for her living, and. three years
back, had come with girl friend, who
drew for the illustrated papers, to Sax
bury Court. They lived in the rooms
above mine, and Kitty had become a
great favorite with the little commun-
ity. She was of a joyous disposition,
and had lately obtained small part in
the first piece at West End comedy
theatre.
She had been bending over the fire,
cooking some toast. Suddenly she
looked up at me.
We'll. nice old person. of what are
YOU thinking" she said. with a smile.
TO tell the truth, had been thinking
for the hundredth time how splendidly
young she was, anu IloN Stupietly otu
had grown to be--thirty-five last
Shrove Tuesday, and gray hairs into
the bargain But l fully grasped the
situation; / was merely the nice old
person." and anything else was out OF
the question.
Il was thinking that we might have
the tall young visitor to-day" l said
untruthfully.
| looked straight at her, and saw a
little touch of color fly to her cheek
Then laughed gently to myself.
There was a tap at the door. and the
next moment a good looking youngstel
in immaculate frock coat and silk ha'
entered. He glanced round the room
expectantly, and his face lighted up a:
he caught sight of Kitty. 1t was very
obvious!
The Hon, Gerald Derisford seemed
terribly out of place in the Bohemian
atmosphere of Saxbury Court, for h
was a very serious young man, witt
great ambitions in the political line
and was unsalaried secretary to thu
great Lord Brymour In addition, h
was unbecomingly wealthy and dis
tressingly aristocratic.
for we of Saxbury Court had gu
Ktty's future to bear in mind. Wa
she not Ted Carvilrs daughter? Ant
if she loved him-well, he was emf
nently desirable"
Kitty chartered her brightest ant
gave vivid description of her part il
1. piece that was to be produced at
charity matinee in aid of the Home TO
Poor Authors--uncomfor full JUS
new. A brilliant touch of novelty ha'
been impaired to the performance b,
the fact that the piece was TO be playe'
entirely by ladies, and Kitty had bee
specially chosen to enact the part o
John Chichester, an artist hero, VIII
was much tempted before the final fal
of the curtain
After tea insisted on going out wit
q letter to catch the country post.
was an old expedient. but ! fiatter my
self did it gracefully.
When. at length. / returned, Kilt
;,,,,pad n, bo,. faat with plapca 81 fh