Year: 1879

voting MN eau. Out OCIlS hClSll
good citizens of Chicago, they contented
themselves with the remark that Smith
was little tricky on Change, which fact
really had no bearing upon the case in
hand, as his present behavior was GER
tainly straightforward and above board.
He had asked Miss Bloomer that morn
ing if he might have the pleasure of her
company to the opera; she had readily
accepted and it had never once crossed his
mind that it was duty he owed to his
fellow boarders to acquaint them with his
intentions. But it was tacitly agreed
that Smiths conduct was such that it
could hot be overlooked nor meekly borne.
If he could whisk Miss Bloomer away to
the opera, why, so could hey and then
and there each to himself vowed a vow,
the carrying out of which rolled gold
or rather good greenbacks-into the
Golfers of that prima donna, and into the
pockets of florists and hackmen, and
never before did little village maiden
| have such feast of opera, or accumulate
bouquets and librcttos at such a rate.
This opera business was but the beginning
of her diSSipations. There were drives
out to Lincoln Park; Gordon's skittiSh
beasts flew along "the Boulevard with
I the brave little belle sitting beside their
owner; an excursion was arranged Off
hand for herself, Mrs. MORN, and one Of
her admirers out to HYDE Park, when she
was heard to express a wish to 60 there
and gather fringed gentians; and as for
bonbonS, they filed up to her room in
perfect procession of costly satin, gilt,
and inlaid boxes. So altogether, Miss
Bloomer was having, as she wrote to a
friend at home, "a perfectly lovely time.


But in the natural course of events
there came a time when she had to cease
revolving in this round Of gayety. One
soft autumn evening, as she was driving
beside Mr.. Strong along the lake shore,
there came lull in the conversation, and
they silently watched the full moon as it
began to burnish the tranquil waters of
Lake Michigan The carriage rolled
softly along, and the horses stepped evenly
over the damp drive, and everything COM
bincd to enhance the quiet Of the hour.
Finally Miss Bloomer spoke, and there
was tone of regret in her voice which
her statement scarcely seemed to warrant
She said:


Il had letter from mamma today


Mr.. Strong was puzzled by the woe Of
her manner, but hoped her mamma was
well.


"Yes, thank you; she is quite well
but


"Your papa is not i'll, hope"


"No, papa is very well too; but


Yes"


Il have to go home


$50 home Oh no. Why, you've
only just come


"Oh, Mr. Strong, I've been here ten
weeks next Saturday"


Ten weeks, 1t doesn't seem that
many days"


And I've had such perfectly lovely
time | only wish had Just come; then
I'd still have my visit to make.


But why need you 90 home' Write
and ask your mother to let YOU stay all
winter


1T would be of no use; and what is
worse, don't expect ever to see dear,
lovely Chicago again. You know Jack Is
going to live in St. Louis after this;
and there was the suggestion of a sob in
Miss Jessies voice as she finished her SEN
tence.


Mr.. Strong mused. and at last said,
That's too bad.


1t was some time before either spoke
again, and during the interval the gentle
man was feeling sincere regret that the
lively little girl was going away. He
would probably never know another as
well; indeed, he never would have known
her if she had not walked right into his
home, and, as it were, forced him to make
her acquaintance. Never before had he
asked lady to drive with him OF go to
the opera, and although he had found 1t
a pleasant experience, he had not the
faintest idea that he would ever repeat it,
for, as limited before, he was a bashtul
mar, and he trembled at the thought of
presenting himself before any lady through
the usual avenues of society. The result
of all this retrospection was merely
repetition of his first avowal, and that
was too bad.


"Do YOU mean that it is too bad for
you, or for me-"


"Why, for-for me of course Mr.
Strong had really up to that instant not
known which side his sympathies were
on.


"Oh, now Mr.. Strong, don't tell fibS;
you know you don't care in the least
whether | go or stay; you'll forget that |
ever existed after I'm gone month"
and the big eyes looked merry reproach
up into his.


"You are too hard upon fellow, Miss
Jessie-indeed you are" and after Mr..
Strong had commenced his protest it was
easy to go on. "You cant guess how
much well miss you-all Of us-and es-
pecially, you may be sure, TH be lonely
enough when you are gone.


"You are very kind to say So"


kind. How could a fellow help miss
ing sucha-a-" Be careful, Mr.. Strong;
Miss Jessie looks very sweet in the moon
light, as she sits waiting for you to finish
your sentence.


"Such a-a-a what" asked saucy,
knocking voice.