The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-10-02
A Dream of Love.
BY X. 4.

Nine O'Clock of lovely April morning
with the air breathing soft scents ofgrass
and carly violets.
Its Spring in good earnest" said MIR.
| Peterson, and he sat at his window, his
heels poised on the extreme outer edge,
and 4 fragrant Havana pertaining the
surrounding atmosphere.
"IIeigho, can almost fancy how the
dandelions are starring over the hills OF
the old New Hampshire farm where |
was born, Who would think that it was
the Goth ofApril already? And my house
not let. What can the real estate agents
be thinking of"
Mr.. Peterson was 4 stout, bald-headed
gentleman of some six and forty years of
age, one of those men whose very air and
gait, even though they were never to
speak a word, made the perpetual procla-
nation" 81 am a man of money and
position"
Il don't see why Mrs. Parker wanted
to give up the house, went on MIR.
Peterson, in his sohloquy. "She says it is
because the price of board is falling, and
she can't afford to keep up the establish
ment, A great mistake of hers in my
opinion. She is the only woman whom
l ever knew who could make a French
omelette."
Dear me.-it's a sad, unsettled state
of affairs for me. I'm almost tempted to
wish-almost, l say-that had married
some nice, sensible glrl of 20 years ago.
Dear me, what can all that ringing at
the bell mean? Why don't Mrs. Parker
answer it?'
He had just tossed his cigar out of the
window, with the intention of himself
Fastening to the rescue, when a servant
girl came up to his apartment, breathless
and eager.
What is the matter, Hannah ?" he
cried irascibly.
eff We place sir, the mistress is gone to
mar-r-ket an there's no one to show the
house"
Il told em would they come again, but
they said perhaps Mr. Patterson would
oblige emf
Very cool of them, upon MY word"
cried Mr.. Peterson, mentally expirating
the whole race of housekeepers. "Tell
'em we don't show the house except be-
tween the hours of ten and two"
Il beg your pardon, MIR. Peterson"
cried voice as soft and sprightly as the
notes of bird, "but mamma and l have
so many places to go, we thought you
would not mind us seeing the house"
1t was JEANNE Cope, a brown-eycd
dimplc- checked little fairy. And Mr..
Pcterson's wrath melted away like a
morning vapor before her pretty insolence
of dcmcanor.
Peterson kicked stray slipper under
the table and threw his dressing gown
over huge meerschaum stand, striving
to appear as disembarasscd as possible.
very happy, I'm sure" he said, turn
ing red, and wishing he had "tidied up"
a little before he had sat down to his
matutinal cigar. "AnythingI can do for
you
You can allow us the privilege of
looking at your house." said Jeannie,
coaxingly. Il that is, mamma has
got to move, and although the rent of
this house must ofcourse be very high, she
thought, by taking few boarders, she
might contrive to meet expensesr'
Exactly so" said Mrs. Cope.
care you going to move elscwhere?"
asked JEANNE of our hero, as she glanced
at the halfpacked trunks.
"A1y landlady is" said MIR. Peterson
Its awful to be at the mercy of land
lady, Miss Cope!"
but it's all your fault" cried JEANNE
with a roguish sparkle in her lovely blue
eyes.
All my FAULT"
ITO be sure-why didn't you get
married."
Because | was fool
AHu WHY uou you get lliI Ilcu HOWs
pursued the relentless little sprite.
would your" questioned Mr.. Peter
son gravely, ''if you were I?'
"Ofcoursc, would. Get married, and
board with us. Mamma will give you
this room, and"
"NIv dear" checked Mrs. Cope, gently.
"My dear madam" cried Mr.. Peterson,
still with hiseyes fixed on Jeannie' lovely
face. Il assure you that think it is an
excellent ideal"
And through all their journey from
cellar to roof, while Mrs Cope considered
the relative advantages of the room and
that, and JEANNE fluttered to and fro
like a graceful little humming bird, Mr.
Peterson kept revolving this same excel.
lent idea in his mind.
Miss JEANNE" he said, somewhat
awkwardly, as they returned down stairs,
Surprising Ishould-ahen-ad your