The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-09-09

acquainted with each other; the same
gradual thawing as we got up a little
dance (Which, with hypocrisy that
deceived nobody, we pretended to ex,
temporize); the same intense heat in
the rooms, the same jamming in the
doorways, the same forlorn groups in
the corners, groups that looked as if
they knew they ought to be enjoying
themselves and were not.
And, when the ovelty of the posi-
ton wore of, I did not find it very
difficult to play the part of the host.
So I tried to say pleasant word to
ony guest that seemed dull, arranged
couple of whist tables for the elder.
ly people, and in fact worked hard
generally at amusing everybody. My
wife, however, as the hours went on
without mishap, grew proudcr and
prouder of her hired grandeur, and
indeed, like old Weller's Shepherd,
'swelled wisibly' in magnifcence of
department and manner. In my
hearing alone she told six different
persons that thcre were forty-fve
invited; but unfortunately so many
were engaged
Il think you ought rather to say
fortunately replied that disagrcea-
BILE Mrs. Vyner, as my wife made this
remark to her. MY dear Mrs. Miller,
how could you get any more people
into these rooms? And a crowd is 80
very unpleasant she added, tanning
herself vigorously.
When I took Mrs. Vyner in to sup
per, she said, blandly, 4 did not know
Mr.. Miller-yes, champagne, please
| never knew before that you kept o
lfootman,' looking hard at one Of the
upholsterer's mutes.
why, he is like Vyner's small ale
for very occasional use only | re-
piled, determined she should not have
all the sarcasm to herself, and know
ing she hated any reference TO her
husbands business.
She took revenge, however, on my
wife, by saying to her soon afterward
across the table, How very nice these
whips are, Mrs. Miller! I must get
you to give me the recipe Of course
the odious woman knew very well
that the creams, like everything else,
were furnished by the upholsterer
'who did for u.s. but she succeeded in
making my wife blush and feel very
uncomfortable for the time.
The dance was kept up with spirit
till tour OF FIVE o'clock, and the young
people, at any rate, especially my
daughters Molly and Patty, enjoyed
this part of the business most thor
oughly. Toward the end, however,
Molly became rather sulky because
Fred danced so much with Miss W.
ner; and my wife was highly indig-
nant at Dick Wotherspoon's hanging
about Patty. Indeed, she would al
most have proceeded to open hostili-
ties if I had not stopped her; and, as
it was, Wotherspoon evidently guessed
her motive in always disturbing his
combinations with Patty, and left
early.
When our guests were gone VIC
were soon in bed, from which VIC did
not rise till noon. Even then Patty
was very tired, and Molly had head
achc-due to Miss Vyner, suspected.
I, too, was disgusted with the hypo.
critica. pretenses and tho bother of
the whole thing. My wife alone was
radiant, and thought the party great
success, owing to her own admirable
management. She was sure, too, that
Kelly on leaving had thanked her,
and pressed her hand with q cordial
|ity most unusual with him; and on
this ground, she told Molly to take
courage, and all would come right.
And her exultation was increased
by several of our guests who called in
the afternoon, and lisped the usual
phrases on such occasion. Delight.
ful gathering. Enjoyed ourselves so
much Quito q success
When Mrs. Vyner called, however,
she threw little damp on my wife's
|ardor. She pretended to praise-she
was always more malicious when she
did that.
sHow very good of you to take all
this trouble-so unexpected, tooP she
said. .And how very we'll you did
manage, considering you were quite
unaccustomcd to this sort of thingl
1t must have been a most formidable
undertaking, I'm sure. And l hope
You, Mr.. Miller, were not very much
behind-hand with your work in con-
sequence g..
Generally I could give Mrs. Vyner
a Roland for her Oliver; but on the
present occasion, my conscience sided
so much with her in her politely
yelled sarcasms-I mean I thought
them so just-that l really could only
mutter out some commonplace an
swer,
I'm afraid you are a little tired
with your oxertions, Mrs, Miller; in
deed, they must have been immense
continued the merciless virago, seeing
that I was in no mode for reply.
But l am sure, it was very kind of
you to try SO hard to give US a pleas.
ant evening. And as you are such
very old friends, I think I may tell
you little secret, just to show you
how much we arc indebted to you.
All, I dare say you know what it is.
Fred Kelly proposed to Ellen last
night, and it all arranged-so kind of
you, I'm sure, to give him tho oppor-
tunity. And we think it will be q
very nice match, don't you, Molly?'
Poor Molly held out till Mrs. w
ner was gone, when she made q rush