The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-03-10

O. holy saint, so it isl"
Florence heard door open on the
other side of the fence.
Yes she agreed. II should think
1t would be. Mother thought she had
fastened in Lady Grey. I'm very
sorry. Did she get over there again ~
whether twas Lady Grey or Lady
White, she's a divil of hen, an if
she comes over again, I'll"
Here the torrent of words came sud
denly to stop with a masculine voice
breaking in: Margaret! Margaret
what is the matter?"
'Well, if yer wantin' a garden, just
We thry havin' it wild a hen''
"But the lady has said she was
sorry"
Eyes, inded," said Florence, land
1 promise you you will not be an
noyed any more"
Here rather good-looking young
man emerged from Obscurity. More
explanations followed, and the mill
tant lady went into the house. When
Florence related the incident to her
mother, the latter rejoined:
II suppose she's taking boarders,
and it'll be noisy and unpleasant with
men running in and OUT
81 shouldn't suppose anything but
day laborers would be likely to board
in Holly street. But maybe he's a
clerk on small salary-still he spoke
like gentleman"
"A clerk can be gentleman" added
her mother.
yes" said the girl doubtfully. "He
can be-"
1t was really quite astonishing, the
way in which the acquaintance over
the fence progressed, till one day Mrs.
Bennett invited him in. Florence
found she was glad he had been in
vited. When she found she was some
thing more than glad, she began to be
supremacy disguised with herself.
Where were her dreams of a finer,
fuller life? To marry poor clerk
meant to go on living in Holly street
No, no, it was unthinkable.
This place must look very dingy to
you after your shining new paint in
there" she said to him.
NO" he said, sit looks very coy,
very honey" He took in the ample
library table, the shaded lamp, the
books, and the good pictures on the
walls. ut looks very much as
thought it would"
We've asked time and again to have
this room papered and painted, but
that miserable old skinfiint of an own
er won't do it. 1t seems he had to,
next door,"
Did you ever see the owner?" he
asked.
mo, I don't even know his name
The agent said he wouldn't"
Il think he WILL" said the young
man.
Mr. Royal! But how do you
know"
"WeIl, you see, work for him in
the silk factory"
Does he own that, too? Well, he's
worse than a skinflint!"
"No, he's a decent fellow, if he is q
millionaire. It's the agent who's to
blame"
The speedy way in which the cot
tage was overhauled, and everything
done just as Florence and her mother
wished convinced them that young Mr.,
Royal must have some pull"
The love route is sometimes sub
ject to fluctuations, but this one
seemed to progress steadily. One day
he put the important question:
Pm getting only twenty-five a week
now, but I'm promised a raise. Would
you be willing to live on that?" he
asked.
I've got to think of mother" she
answered IF you'd let me go on with
my typewriting-"
mo, no." he demurred. 81 want to
be mothered little, and l want to
take care of you both. l don't want
you to work in an office"
81 must say for poor man, you
have some foolish PRIDE" she pouted
Then the next minute: Il don't care
if it's only twenty, We'll manage"
When Mr.. Royal again found his
voice he announced that he would
bring his father to call.
The old gentleman scrutinized his
future daughter-in-law so searchingly
she began to feel uncomfortable.
Miss Bennett" he said, 81 feel it
is my duty to inform you that this
young man has been telling you a per-
feet tissue of falsehoods."
"Father!' interposed the young man
glancing at the surprised face of the
girl going white with the shock of the
revelation.
It's true he is getting twenty-five a
week, but as to a raise"
"If that's ALL" she cried, 81 don't
care. We can live on it. If there's
nothing against Mr.. Royals charac-
ter
"'Mr. Royal" shifted the old man.
."You rascal you didn't even give your
right name"
'What?" she gasped.
"Now. never mind, Miss Bennett !!
It was just a part Of his quiXotic
game. He wanted to see if you really
cared for him You're the right sort