Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-07-06


down skeleton hoop skirt and surveyed it a
in her hand
hate TO do it," she said to herself, 4" but |
| know Harry too we'll to quarrel with him,
and he knows what is right see no way
for 1t but to adopt his own rule thing
looks as well in one place as another So
here goes"
And Mrs. Nora marched dcfantly down
stairs and hung her hoop skirt on a peg of
the hat rack in the hail. directly opposite the
front door
Then she went back to her room and began
to dress She pinned her pretty collar, and
gave the last touch to her brown hair. and
before going down stairs, glanced out Of the
window to see that Harry was coming, but
not alone for he was accompanied by gem
tleman whom Nora recognized as one Of his
most intimate bachelor fricnds-ono who had
been comrade all through the war-and
whom Harry greatly loved. He was very
lastlious, too, aud Nora wanted to be the
very tip-top Of order and neatness when he
came.
For the dinner she was not worried
Though simple, she knew everything would
be nice and well prepared but she thought
with dismay Of the skeleton form suspended
in full view in the hall Her first impulse
was to rush to the rescue, but their rapidly
nearing footsteps warned her that it was al.
ready too late for that, aud the next instant
she had decided not to do it in any case.
q" IL will only make the lesson more COM
plete,' she said to herself And in order
that Harry might not have an opportunity to
remove the skirt himself, she ran down and
met them at the door The Mortified express
sion Of Harrys face, when he saw the sight
prepared for him, was almost too much for
Nora's gravity. But she retained it with an
effort, and greeted her guest with an easy
grace which set him at ease Immediately"
After they we're seated in the paLlor, and
had begun a pleasant hum Of conversation,
in vain did Harry, by suudry glances and rest
less movements endeayor to attract Noras at
teution and give her a hint to alter arrange
ments in the hall. That obdurate little mat
ron remained most proyokingly inseusible to
all his man9uvers. At length, just before
dinner, Nora saw the skeleton had disap-
peared.
When Harry and his friend had gone down
town again she instituted search for her
property, aud found it ANONYMOUSLY tucked
into a closet under. the stairs.
She had good laugh all to herself, as she
carried it up stairs to its proper place.
It's poor rule that won't work two
ways" she said " now we'll see what he has
to say for himself"
Harry came home to supper a trihe more
/ thoughtful than common. Nora watched him
closely when he went to get his slippers, and
tancied that the expression Of his face was
decidedly sheepish But he said not word
until they came up from supper aud were dis
posing themselves for the evening.
Then, in a half-hesitating tone, he began.
" Nora, did you enjoy Lawrence's visit to-
day."
"Yes-didn't your" asked Nora inno-
Gently.
Well-yes-pretty well, But | was
worried a little" returned Harry, slowly
"Were you2 What was it about " ask
ed Nora, with the same sweet innocence
l wanted Lawrence to think my little
wife was a model housekeeper," said Harry
significantly.
We'll, was anything out of order2 Was
MT the dinner good2" asked Nora, determine
ed not to commit herself
The dinqer was well enough" replied Har.
ry, but, o, Nora, that hideous thing in the
hall ~
80, my skrt2 What of that? Isn't it q
nice one?" said Nora, still pursuring her
catechism.
1t is nice enough in its place, - said Har,
] e.a1s,.. .p,lf,aI g, L., 4 L..
Well what of it ?" she asked again
90, nothing particular" said Harry
" only don't exactly fancy such a place fol
lady's undergarments-that's all"
Don't you ?' said Nora, demurely, Pm
sure you said, only this morning, that thinl
was as well in one place as another"
Harrys color rose, but he looked steadily
at her for few minutes then he broke int
a laugh.
8" Sold, by Jupiterp he cried. " Come
Nora, I'll own up the gray mare is the bet
ter horse this time. Keep your hoops out o
the hall and I'll putmy slippers in the closet
" Its a bargain !" said Nora, laughing. -
I"I'll agree to it as long as you do"
" Now kiss and be friends said Harry
" aud I'll behave myself for the future"
| suppose the kissing operation was salts
factorily gone through with, though | cauno
undertake to describe the details, lest fai
to do justice to the subject
But one thing l will undertake to say
That is, that Mr.. Harry kept his promise Il
behave himself Or if at any time Satai
tempted him to break it, have no doubt tina
a few lessons in management from little Mrs
Nora were sufficient to complete his education
and fit him for the degree of Model Husband