The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1906-05-03
THE TWO
BIDDERS.

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Mr. and Mrs. Laurence FRANKLIN
had got tired of life in the country.
The gothic roof leaked under its
braided greenery Of wistaria vines
and honeysuckle; the kitchen stood
an inch in water whenever there
was a trife heavier rain than usual,
and the half mile walk from the
depot, however enchanting in fowery
time, gave Mr.. FRANKLIN a jumping
neuralgia when traversed in drizzly
equinoctial. The butcher forgot to
call just when his wares were need
ed most, the next-door-neighbor
charged little more than city prices
Tor his milk, eggs and butter, and
tho cook and chambermaid left at the
end OF the first month.
So that life in the rural districts
was not altogether without trials to
Mrs. Laurence Franklin, and about
the time that New York houses break
out into harmless erysipelas of
bills, having the legends, ITO let"
and For sale," she said to her
husband:
Don't you think, dear, it would
be we'll enough for us to return to
the city,"
Eyes, do" said Mr.. FRANKLIN.
Miss Julia Lesiadi, Mrs. Frank
lyn's pretty Is year old sister, clapped
her hands.
Good! good!" craid she. Nov
shall have some sort of chance at
morning concerts and the opera
again.
And the house hunting commenced
in good earnest.
But it tagged after the first edge
OF enthusiastic enterprise was worn
off. None of the houses suited ex-
actly.
Mrs. Eranklyn said that, so far as
she was concerned, she would just
as soon stay where they were. Mr. I.
FRANKLIN retorted that anything was
better than an indolent woman. Mrs
Franklin burst into tears. Mr.. Frank
1yn went out of the room banging
the door behind him. Miss Lesiardi
declared that all men were brutes,
and that she for one never intended
to be married.
II don't care" sobbed Mrs. Frank
Ign. ut was all Laurence's fault, TAX
ing this horrid, damp hole"
ooh, Bee, how could you say so?'
said Miss Lesiardi; you were as
wild after it as he was"
"And," added Bee, ignoring this in
corruption, "if we have to live on the
grass under an umbrella shall make
no further efforts"
Mr.. Franklin said the same thing,
and Miss Lesiardi was just making
up her mind toanother season of fogs,
damp kitchen and fresh eggs at eight
cents apiece, when Bee came exult-
ingly back from the city one evening.
"Oh, JULIA cried she, 'I've seen
the sweetest little gem of a housed"
been house hunting, eh?" said
Miss Lesiardi, who had got tea
ready the 18th "help" had gone off
In a huff that morning).
"Well-no, not exactly house-hunt-
ing, you know. wouldn't do that
after Laurence's shameful behavior!
But I saw the bill and went in. The
neighbors are delightful, the park
handy"
"And the rent?" eagerly demanded
Miss Lesiardi, with eyes like blue
moons.
@Only eighteen hundred a year"
"Oi" said Julia. sBut isn't that a
great deal?"
mot when you consider the price
Of houses in general. I'll go back
tomorrow and secure it: but mind,
it's a secret. don't want Laurence
to know that | have taken any trou-
bic after his hateful words!"
Mrs. Franklin had retired to bed
when her husband came home. Miss
Lesiardi, however, was up to pour
his tea.
well, JULIA" said Mr.. Franklin,
triumphantly, I've fouAd the very
house we want"
Julia looked up with almost q
scared expression in her face.
You haven't taken it, Laurence2P
No; but | shall tomorrow"
T wouldn't do anything without
consulting Bee" pleaded julia.
II shall give her pleasant sur
prise" said Mr.. Franklyn, buttering
Z muf1n. Remember, Ju, this IS be-
tween you and me.
Early next morning Mr. Franklyn