The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-04-20

alter guest entered without Mrs. Mowbray appFa r:
ing. Her nervousness soon began to change 10
anxiety, and this. the hours wore oif. to disaP-
Pointmen: and dismay. She delayed The supper
ior full hour. thinking that her new friend might
yet arrive y but in vain. s,,
Whai can be the matter, | wonder |? she said
to ne, as soon we were alone. hope the
dear babe is well. Perhaps however, Mrs. Now
bray IS herself sick. Dear me. am afraid shall
not sleep for anxiety. The first thing III do TO.
morrow will be 10 call on Mrs Nov bray and see
what Is the natter
Wouldn't thai be against etiquettef | ven.
turcd to ask. IL seems to me that Mrs. Now
bray should send you note or message, or some
thing OF that sort, at least 10 apologize for her alb
sence.
Mrs. Jones did not reply in words, but she gave
me look. And such look ! it expressed ali the
indignation which her outraged bosom felt at
having The slightest suspicion cast upon her friend.
When | came home TO dinner that day, saw
at glance, that something had occurred to ruffle
my wlfe's nerves. She had nothing whatever to
say TO me, bui she scolded the servants and chill
dren necessarily. knew tha Mrs. Jones. if she
thought it best, would tell me ; and il not that
questions would only aggravae her secret troubles.
But the next day, having heard something that
cast light on Mrs. Mowbray's absence from our
party, could not contain myself when came
home.
DID you ever hear, my love, said as | began
10 carve the turkey, at dinner, that the Misses
Howell had married sisrer?'
Mrs. Jones looked sharply up, as If she suspec-
led meant more than said and then answered
leconicaIly:
heard it casually, but never asked any fur
thrr.'
1t seems that Mrs. Mowbray is that sister,
said
I've heard so since,' said Mrs. Jones. sharply;
and turning to our second child, who was asking
for the wing bone. she raped him on the head,
ex:iaiming tartIy, haven't told you TO wait till
you're helped Take that now, and learn man.
ners.'
allowed minute and more TO elapse, in or.
der that my wilc's cbullition might subsde, when
remarked:
Mrs. Mowbray it seems, expected to meet her
sisters here?'
shouldn't wonder if she did, snappishly re-
piled Mrs. Jones, looking down into her plate"
and apparently deeply absorbed in parting wing
joint.
When she found continued, sthat her sis
ters not asked, she grew indignant. She
heard The reason, it seems. Your friend. Mrs.
Whortrn, whom you had made con6dant told
some lady, who told her again: and hence her
anger.
am sure OOn care IL L never see Inc pTOnO
thing agnin,' said my wife reddening very much
but still without looking Up. One could not have
supposed that she was sister 10 The Misses Ho-
WELL
After another pause | said:
Did you call on Mrs. Mowbray, as you in
tended z
Mrs Jones was silent for full minute, and
seemed half disposed to decline answering alto
gether but finally she burted out the reply as
follows
Yes did, if you must know. And she wasn't
in. So at least the footman said but if did mt
see her at The drawing room window, may never
eat another mouthIul, and here she burst into
Of modification and anger.
! saw that it would not do TO continue the con-
versafion so | quietly ate my dinner, kissed tn"
chiIdr rem, and, like Christian in the 'Pigrim's
Progress, went my way .....
Or course the intimacy of my wife with Mrs.
Mowbray ense1 from The date Of that fatal party,
and, | am sorry TO say. that the Misses Howell
also have, as the phrase goes, cut our acquain.
tance.'