Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-22


There was a large attendance that after.
noon at the weekly meeting Of the sewing So
eiety. Everybody went that could possibly
leave home.
And what a chattering there was when tho
hustle of assembling was over. There was
but one topic, but that was all sufficient. all
engrossing; the wild IS beau-for the gen.
tieman must be her beau-or at least, ought
to be
Everybody had something to tell, something
to wonder about. But suddenly every mag
pie tongue was hushed, q universal stroke of
numb palsy seemed 10 have fallen on the
group, as looking up they perceived the very
lady about whom they were conversing 20
eagerly, standing in the doorway. II.
"GOod afternnnn, ladies (" seia eho ;r hos
usual quiet way. "I'm glad TO sec SO largo
and happy gathering. 1t is beautiful dsy
for our meeting"
And then she proceeded to the table and
helped herself to a block of patchwork. in
quired for the sewing silk, which received. she
sat down in the only vacant chair and COM
menced hemming very red bird with yell
low wing, on to very green twig, which lat
ter had already been hemmed on 20 a SQUARE
piece OF white CLOTH and the whole when com.
pleted was designed to form the twentieth
part Of bed spread. She seemed AL en-
crossed with the birds bill. and spoke TO no
one. Everybody wondered if she had heard
what they were saying when she came in, bat
her placid countenance soon reassured the
most fearful, and every one longed to COM
mence a personal attack.
Old grandma w. was the first to venture.
She meant to "do up the matter very deli
cately, and in so roundabout way that the
lady should not suspect her of curiosity So
she began by praising Mrs. c s dress
why, it's really beauty. Where did you
get it ?"
II bought it," was the quick reply.
"Here ?''
oNon
"Where then !'
q In New York last spring"
go; you did, did you7 But thought Won
wasn't never going to wear anything but black
again"
Every eye scrutinized the lady's face in
search of blush, but il continued as paIe "a
usual, while she answered
81 did think and say so once, but have
finally changed my mind.''
You have, ha; What made yOu!"
HOh, had good reasons"
Here the hearers and lockers on yinked
and looked very expressively at each other.
But did you not spell your beautiful white
burying ground?"
I" did not wear il 90
Here was damper to the old LADY. She
had such long lecture to read on extrava-
gance, and she was determined to do il too.
when unfortunately for her eloquent strain,
Mrs. C.'s dress had hung up in her wardrobe
all the time, and she had worn an old bIaek
silk
After awhile the old lady took fresh start.
She would not be bafied again. She would
find out all about that beau before she went
home, " that she would" So she began by
saying:
" Your company went away this morning,
didn't they p" "
THY did, +" was the reply.
lie didn't stay very long, did he !'
Not as long as L wish he had, /" was the
emphatic answer this time
And how the ladies looked ut each othor
1t was as good as a confession.
when did he come ?"
Saturday evening"
Was you looking for him"
or more"
"Why, du tell if you had then. and Won
never told ont either. Had he any business
in the place ?"
"He had -
"What was it!"
This was rather more direct and blunt than
the old lady had meant to put, and she forth
with apologised by saying:
didn't mean that-I-I only thought
go, I'd as lief you knew as not, he came to
see me-"
., widow c., did your good name 20 down
then. be careful what you say next or you'll
have only remnant Of character 10 90 homo
with, and remnants 90 very cheap.
" He did, did he, and be didn't come for
him ?'
" Indeed, l was. 1t was one of the hap.
piest moments Of my existence"
"Well, WE'LL" said the old lady, hardly
knowing how to frame her next question.
: well-well, he's a real gOOd-looking man,
[ think so too, and he's not only good
looking. but he's good-hearted; one Of the
best men ever knew"
" You don't say SO, But is he rich ?"
worth thousand or So" said the lady
carelessly.
why, du tell, if he is. Why, you will
live like lady, won't you! But what is his
The old lady's curiosity was now raised to
the highest pitch.
Henry Macon"
Z" Macon Macon. Wasn't that your name
before you were married"
"It was".
" Then he's connection, is he?n
"He is''
"Du tell if he is, then. Not a cousin,
nope. never did think much of marriages
between cousins"
Henry is not my cousin
lie isn't. Not your cousin! But what
rs he, du tell now %
he is MY YOUNGEST BROTHER"
IL ever there was rapid progress made in
ewing and knitting by any circle of ladies, it
vas by those composing this society, for tho
lext hfteen minutes. Not a word was uttered,
iot an eye raised. Had the latter been DONE
md the roguish and expressive gIances which
passed between Mrs. Q. and the minister,
yhO unobserved, had stood on the Threshold,
silent spectator and a curious hearer, per-
laps, mind you, We only say perhaps, they
night have guessed more correctly the name,
haracter, standing and profession Of the wild
w's beau.
T-090na nft tha