The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-04-21
Fiction
He, She and the Imp.
BY A. C. RowsEY.

When half through the meal he COM
promised with himself-he would just
hint.
Yet the evening came-wlth it his
laundry and the landlady, and the hint
was not yet given
Mrs. Halstead was the landlady, or
''the mother of two, the relict of three"
as the cheerful idiot in the hall room
epitomized her. "He was only a coun-
ter jumper" the landlady scornfully
remarked before she fired him
Mrs. Halstead had watched the old
man all day. In her mind he had been
construed and reconstruct into a pos
slble fourth in the "also ran" class,
whereby she should change her name
land later wear Grape. For three
months at one time she had flutterings
around the heart because of an air of
embarrassment about him when he
looked at her. Finally he told her
about some mice that had invaded his
closet. In her eyes II was evidently
only hasty excuse when his courage
failed him.
The "old chump," as she called him.
had recently assumed mourning and
remained in his room all day. These
two things urged Mrs. Halstead to en-
courage him to speak his mind, argu-
ing quite accurately that some one had
died and he had Inherited.
So she pumped herself in n chair
after laying the laundry on the bed,
Grimly she waited.
Mr.. Peters was rejOiced at her lin
gering.
The lean old man paced the floor,
favoring her at every turn with look
Of indecislon.
Mrs. Halstead," he began hesitat-
ingly-he seemed TO be talking to the
rosebuds on the carpct-'T have-hem
wanted TO speak TO you about He
flushed. closed his thin lips obstlnately
md continued his walk irresolutely.
"Was there ever such an old fool?r
she said to herself under cover of her
lpron. Her face had habit of perspir-
ing under mental pressure. about"
the querled in her smoothest tone. Her
supplemental toilet was finished.
"Ycs, about His heart forsook
him. well / guess another time will
10, Mrs. Halstead" He sat down,
'rembllng.
In the glare that she threw at the
back of his bald head the orange bios
'oms were dropping, dropping and GO
ing.
"Now Mr.. Peters" she coaxed.
hadn't you better get IL Off your mind
lnce and for all? knowed you wanted
TO say-something"-oh the coy ways
IF forty-five years and $50 pounds
'and-and couldn't jest get the hang
)f it-how to say II. mean"
Her words were very grateful to
him.
perhaps you are right. Only /
hought-it mlght--be considered-er-
mbecilic-senile"-
I'D like to see any one say so, sir"
she bristled like porcupine, or as
)nly landlady can. "They would not
stay in this house and say It. Be-
sides, think every-every one"-shyly
-'rather expects It."
"Oh, indeed We'll, | am sure-still,
t is very gratifying--very, very" said
he old man. You see, the newspapers
say there are 300 of them to choose
from. DO you think you could get a
llce, pretty one-for meT
She was bcwildered. but not entirely
lonplused. From experience she knew
he old man had a habit of speaking
adjacent thoughts" aloud.
"You won't mind the children?" en-
leayorlng TO bring him around to the
main chance and at the same time as
'ertaln the future status Of her two
little darllngs.
"Why, bless you, nor' he exclaimed.
Il love children-always have-er-
;oOd ones. Now that feel financially
bile to care for one want TO indulge
myself. It has been the dream of my
Ifc." The old man was talking to
himself, II have lived a lonesome
Ife. l never had u hobby, like other
men, except this" Then he turned to
her. 81 prefer a hoy, not too old-two
or three years, | trust, would be old
enough; also, while | think of it, will
pay you for any trouble he may cause
you" Mr.. Peters drew forth his wal
let His face was full OF tremulous
excitement.
Mrs. Halstead mentally heard dull
thud as the bottom fell out Of her
hopes. But she did not show 1t when
the old man placed bill and news
paper clipping In her palm and dis
missed her with "Please get him to-
morrow, poor little chap! / suppose
they feed them on bread and water
He must be hungry" For, If the truth
be known, the old man had in his ear
ly youth been an item of public ex-
pense owing TO the blbulous habits Of
his male progenltor. ,u.
A forlorn hope presented itself to
her; .Why, Mr.. Peters, why don't you
get married and'T Her modesty
would not allow her to proceed.
BLESS my SOUR And he scratched
his bald head dublously. then medita-
lively. Presently he gazed at her at
tentlyely. IL don't know-I -I-never
thought OF It," She tiuttered with the
quiet agitation of her weight, age aud
eXDerience. ffHeml We'll I'll-it WON'T