ly nose and teeth, and possessing a large
share of the commodity known as _gush_, was ready enough to be the
recipient of her neighbor's collection of gossip. But, to Miss Kling's
no small disgust, she was rather lukewarm in pre-judging the new-comer.
In truth, although somewhat alarmed at the "three trunks," lest she
should be out-dressed, she was already debating within herself whether
Miss Archer, as a medium by which more frequent access to Mrs.
Simonson's gentlemen lodgers could be obtained, was not a person whose
acquaintance it was desirable to cultivate. Moreover, the words opera
singer raised ecstatic visions of a possible future introduction to some
"ravishing tenor," the remote idea of which caused her to be so visibly
preoccupied, that Miss Kling took her leave with angry sniffles, and
returned home to ponder over what she had heard.

A few days after, Nattie, who had quite paralyzed Miss Kling by refusing
to listen to what she boldly termed unfounded gossip about her new
friend, went to spend an evening with her.

Miss Archer occupied a suite of rooms, consisting of a parlor and a very
small bed-room that had been Mrs. Simonson's own, but which on account
of the "ways and means" she had given up now, confining herself
exclusively to the kitchen, fitted up to look as much like a parlor as a
kitchen could.

"And how is 'C'?" asked Miss Archer as she warmly welcomed her visitor.

"Still as agreeable as ever," Nattie replied. "I told him I was coming
to see you this evening and he sent his regards, and wished he could be
of the party."

"I wish he might. But that would spoil the mystery," rejoined Miss
Archer. "Do you know what the 'C' is for?"

"'Clem,' he says. His other name I don't know. He would give me some
outlandish cognomen if I should ask. But it isn't of much consequence."

"It might be if you should really fall in love with him," laughed Miss
Archer.

"Fall in love! Over the wire! That is absurd, especially as I am not
susceptible," Nattie answered, coloring a trifle, however, as she
remembered how utterly disconsolate she had been all that morning,
because a "cross" on the wire had for several hours cut off
communication between her office and "X n."

"You think it would be too romantic for real life? Doubtless you are
right. And the funny incidents--have you anything new in your
note-book?"

"Only that a man to-day, who had perhaps just dined, wanted to know the
tariff to the U--nited