The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-04

.,,,.,...,................ss 1 feelings. She had to consider, too, the | necessity of rejecting the gentlemans
 advances courteously and without hurting
 his feelings too much, or driving him to l despair. Mrs. Nlckleby pictured him as
 doing something rash to himself, and she
 knew she never could be happy again In such a dire case.
 She felt moved to confide in Nicholas. | Nicholas felt moved to exclam impetu
 ously against the gentleman's impudence,
 but he stopped short when he beheld the
 expression of placid triumph that came into his mothers face.
 "He must be a very weak and foolish
 person." said Mrs. Niekleby. At least, I suppose other people would consider him so. Of course. I can't be expected to
 express any opinion on that point. espe- cially after always defending your poor dear papa when other people blamed him
 for making proposals to me.
 There can be no doubt'' continued
 Mrs. Nickleby, that he is a gentleman
 and has the manners of a gentleman,
 though he does wear smalls and gray
 worsted stockings That may be eccen- tricity, or he may be proud of his legs. I don't see why he shouldn't be. The
 Prince Regent was proud of his legs, and so was Daniel Lambert, who was also q fat man: he was proud of his legs. So | was Miss Bffin; she was-no,' Mrs 1 NicIsleby corrected herself, "I think she | had only toes. But the principle is the same"
 Having finished adjusting her nightcap, | Mrs. Nickleby retired, after Nicholas had promised to see that the absurd old idiot
 stopped his foolishness. T don't see that at all,' Mrs. Nickleby communed with
 herself. "It's hopeless on his part, cer-
 tainy; but why he should be an absurd old idiot, confess I don't see.'' | Soon afterward the old gentleman proved conclusively to Mrs NiclSleby that | he was not an absurd old idiot. He ap- peared suddenly on the top of the garden ! wall, following shower of small vege-
 tables. With a languishing look he kissed
 
 Queen of his Soul Mrs. Nickleby whis-
 pered to Kate, who was with her in the garden, to be quiet, and said to the gen tleman with a modest smile: Pray, go away"
 Are you a princess?" inquired the old gentleman with great anxiety. "Or niece to the Commissioners of Paving? Or daughter-in-law to the Lord Mayor and Court of Common Council?' "Whoever has spread such reports, sir"
 said Mrs. Nickleby With dignity, 'has
 taken great liberty with my name, and one which I am sure my son Nicholas would not allow for an instant. The idea. Niece to the Commissioners of Pavingl" Pray, mama, come away!' whispered Kate, frightened
 That's just the wayl" complained Mrs.
 Nickleby with proper indignation. "1f they had said that I was niece to piping
 bullfnch. what would you careH'
 Be mine Be mne!' exclaimed the old gentleman.
 Kate" said Mrs. Nickleby. "it is nec- essary for the happiness of all parties that this matter should be set at rest
 forever" Fixing her eyes modestly on
 the ground, she thanked the gentleman
 for his hattering proposal, but told him
 that she had made up her mind to remain
 3 widow. You may not suppose that am the mother of two children" said she. Indeed. many people have doubted it. But it is the case and they are both grown up. As to my being young enough to marry again. that perhaps may be so, or it may not be; but 1 said I never would, and I never will, it's verp painful thing to have to reject proposals and would much rather none were made; at the same time this is the answer that determined lon gago to make. and this is the answer that I always shall give"
 Mrs. Nickeby addressed these remarks partly to the old gentleman, partly to
 Kate and partly as sollloquy. During their course the suitor evinced very irreverent degree of inattention, and sud- denly, at their end, stood on one leg and beloved most tearfully.
 The next moment his ankles were grasped from behind and he was pulled down His place was taken by his cap tor, WnO tOucneu HIS nat, anu dpOlSlZeu to the ladies, explaining that he was lunatc And a good deal peasanter out of his senses, he is. than he was in" said the man. He was the cruelst, wlclxedis,, out t-and-outerest old flint that ever drawed breath,' With which confession of faith the keeper withdrew. Mrs. Niclleby had regarded the man with a severe and steady look. When he disappeared. she said: shameful Shame full It's some plot of these people to possess themselves of his property He 1 may be a little odd and fighty, perhaps. l many of us are that; but mad! And ex- press himself as he does. respectfully, and
 in poetic language, And making offers with so much thought and care and pru- dence-not as if he ran into the streets, and went down on his knees to the first
 chit of girl he met, as a madman would; | No, no, Kate. my dear, there's a great l deal too much method in HIS madness, | depend on that. my dear."
 | Mrs. Nickleby's children did not share her suspicion and anxiety with that filal | sympathy which she had the right to ex- pect She was forced to bury in her
 bosom her fear that her refusal might,
 indeed, have driven the old gentleman to extremties.