The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-12-27
MRS. AvERY'S CHRISTMAS DINNER.

Yes" said Hugh Wethefill. in de
cided sort of style essentially his own.
i've made up my mind to refuse all
such invitations. If spend Christmas
anywhere, it will be with old Aunt Nan
ey, on the farm."
WE'LL" groWled his father, the geu-
tieman addressed, "all can say is, that
you're fool. There's Mrs. Avery has
invited you to spend the day with
them; and, let me tell you, if you
think anything of her daug ghter Maud,
you'd better be working pretty lively.
She's not girl to drop into any ybody's s
hand, and John Marvin is following g
her up close. He'll be there, of
course
suppose So" said the other, little
gloomily. " But that makes no differ
ence. If she don't love him, she won't,
no matter how constant his after dance;
and if she does love him, can't begin
to practice self denial in the keeping
away line any too soon. At all events,
| promised Aunt Nancy last summer
that, If | could get off, l would surely
spend Christmas with her, and / mesn
70 keep my ward. So here goes for a
ssgret," and very ph,losophically he
went TO the unpleasant task of declin-
ing Mrs. Ayery's elegantly .worded invi-
tation 10 her Christmas dinner.
Decidedly COOL" said that lady, the
next morning at breakfast, passing il
over to the little girl at her right, who
flushed rosily as she read:
dir. Wetherill regrets that a previ
Gus engagement will prevent his being
with Mrs. Avery on December 25:h, as
requested"
u Go thir k," continued the elder
@dy, with considerable pique in her
aeiicately modulated contralto, "that
Hugh Wetherill has much too good
an opinion of himself. Previous en-
gagemeni,' indeed. Why, Maud, don't
you know asked him in advance OF
any OF the others, 60 that he could by
no possibility have engaged himself to
any one e'se? and, even If it is SO, he
might have broken it off for us-John
Marvin would have done it without one
moments hesitation
Msud's little nose elevated itself per-
cep,ibly at this juncture. Evidently,
Mr. Marvin was no favorite With lis
dainty mistress. Mrs. Avery noticed the
motion, and, with look of dissat;sfac.
ton, proceeded:
Now, Maud, it is very foolish in you
% make faces when | speak of John
Anvin. He and Wetherill are decided.
y the best paris of tile season. l had
rather given the preference to Wether
~ MS family is the oldest; but Marvin
sJast as wealthy, and just as good look
ing, and, what is more, wants you.
"etneriil, by all signs," with a scornful
.eoS at the billet before her, g is any
tang but interested"
Asuds ncse, which had for moment
resumed its natural position, went up
asan, higher than before, and the
soung lady's face was scarlet as she an.
hate John Marvin, he is so smooth
fnl sleepy and as for Hugh Wetherin,
nate hin, too. ! wouldn't marry
..aer of them for anything. | wonldn't
anybody; and l made up my
isst week, just as coon as you
aenuoned this hateful old Christmas
;.ner, TO have nothing at all to dc
with itn
NAY ;aay venture 10 inquire what dis
H.. th1a you propose to make of yourself
na on, yes; I'm going down to that
,sLd ~ req farmhouse in Connecticut
w;.s aere that old couple that fell in love
nas,. sa ne last summer live all alone
~ ou remember? was visiting
e.. ~ aoi timers, and went over with
esm ls one day. and thunder storm
'ne up, and we were Obliged 30 stay