Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-08-13
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TINE KHONORED GUEST.

WE'LL" said I, one fine morning last
week, Il have the prospect Of leisure
afternoon--a somewhat unusual thing to
me--and, all being well, [ will do lit
tie necdful shopping; call and pass an
hour or two with my old friend, Mrs,
Ashburton, whom, on account Of the
distance, have neglected of late; and
then drop in and take friendly cup of
tea with my niece, Clara Whitford."
Having completed my household ar
rangements, accordingly set out after
an early dinner, and, the shopping done,
I made my first call. Mrs. Ashburton's
warm welcome, pleasant talk, and cheer
full Preside, would have proved strong
temptations to induce me to accept her
invitation to remain for the evening, had
| not felt anxious to see my niece, whose
residence was much nearer my own.
On arriving at Clara's door, / was a
little surprised to see no light in the front
part of the house. +" am afraid they
are not at home," thought / with re-
gretful mental glance backward at the
pretty home picture / had just left. But
| was mistaken. A servant came in an
swer to my ring at the door-bell, and,
ushering me into the dining room, light
ed the gas, and went to summon her
mistress. l had ample time to look about
me before Clara made her appearance,
and could not help admiring the perfect
order and good taste which prevailed in
both the apartment and its furniture. !
was the more pleased to note this, as my
niece, when unmarried, did not promise
to become very notable housewife.
was beginning to tire of waiting-as
my brisk walk over, | felt chilly in the
iireless room-when Clara entered, fas-
tening a little article of dress, evidently
just assumed. Her greeting was most
cordial and yet there was a shade Of
regret in her tone, when, our FIRST salu-
tation over, she said:
Why, my dear aunt, did you not let
me know you were coming, and | should
have been prepared to receive you Z"
Surely, Clara 1 replied, "no pre-
paration is needed before you can bestow
a cup of tea on so near a relation as ]
am. Pray do not make my friendly call
into ceremonious visit, or l shall be
tempted to run away again, in place Of
waiting until after tea, and begging Mr..
Whitford's escort home"
Pray, dear aunt, do not think of
such thing. | will light this fire in a
moment, and the room will soon be warm
and comfortable"
So saying, Clara went to apply a light
between the bars of the CRATE, when /
stopped her.
You must have fire somewhere,
my dear" said; "and where you we're
sitting when | arrived, will, / am sure,
suit me best. If / am to disturb any of
your arrangements, / will leave you
forthwith"
Then, if so, aunt you will have to
excuse me for taking you into the nur-
sery"
Anywhere to warm Preside, Clara /;
but is Mr. Whitford from home p
A" No, aunt, he is here" replied niece,
her color rising as she spoke.
| laughingly congratulated her on her
husbands liking for the company of his
first born; but perceiving no evidence Of
pleasure on her countenance, asked if
the baby was well.
" Oh, yes, quite so, thank you, aunt.
To say the truth, it is my doings that VIC
are in the nursery tonight, and Fredc-
rick is not too well pleased about il; but
it saves SO much trouble, and the other
rooms have just been cleansed and put
in order But do not say word, " she
added, as she opened the nursery door.
My nephew advanced, shook me warm
ly by the hand, and then, turning to
Clara, said:
II hope, my dear, you do not intend
to make your aunt nursery guest. II
you do, ! should not wonder if her visits
become still more rare"
j fastened to assure him that | had been
brought there by my own request, and
begged that no difference might be made,
but quietly ringing the bell, he desired
a servant to light the dining room fire,
and bring word when it was well burnt.
Clara bit her lip. and looked red and un-
comfortable, whilst I, feeling still more
so, occupied myself in admiring the ba-
by. could, however, distinguish east
ly enough two or three little articles
which convinced me that tea cquipage