Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-27
NO. SO.
THE DOUBLE SURPRISE PARTY.
A STORY OF NEW YORK LIFE.
LcoNTINUED FROM YEsrERDAY.l

MI. duppard was nome, and the dinner
served punctually at five O'Clock. It was
an ordinary dinner, consisting of soup,
roast fowl with salad, a custard and cup
of coffee. Mrs. Hubbard thought her
spouse felt little slighted because she
had not ordered a handsomer repast but
she knew that she would be forgiven when
the event Of the evening had developed
itself. Quite lively dialogue occurred be-
tween the two before they left the table.
"How nicely your hair is dressed, my
love-" remarked Mr.. Hubbard.
1T can't be that he suspects anything, 4"
she thought; adding. aloud, Eyes, dear;
Monsieur Tete did it. You said must
wear my diamonds for your sake; and
am going to put them on presently
"Do, Lizzie. Dress yourself Just as
prettily as you can. l will take it as
proof of your continued affection"
II shall be delighted to please you,
Sinclair. Of course am not as pretty as
was ten years ago this day, but / wili"-
Lizzie, you are even more beautiful
to me-"
"My foolish boy can this be so? III
were on that side of the table would kiss
you twenty times. But Sinclair
"What is it, Lizzie P'
Il have been thinking it has been long
time since you have called on that sick ar
tist dare say he feels slighted. It will
take me some time to dress, and you will
be lonesome. Suppose you 90 and see
how he is getting along. shall net COM
plain if you do not get home until nearly
nine o'clock"
II wouldn't 60 out this evening for
thousand dollars. "Besides, our artist
has sailed for Italy with the help offIiends." :"
II am so afraid you'll get tired of wait
ing for me, darling, it takes me ages to
dress"
Il rearly shall not mind it, dearest, l
have new magazine.
"But you look quite pale, love. You
are confined to the Office too closely. A
little walk will do you good"
'In the night-air, Lizzie?"
The waiter girl stood behind her master.
Mrs. Hubbard, looking up, in her perplcx-
ity, saw that she was on the very edge of
explosion, her apron in her mouth. She
frowned, and the girl recovered herself
from the brink of the giggle.
Bring the coffee!" commanded the
mistress, severely.
As the girl brought in the 'fragra mt
Mocha" she heard the wife say: IL have
taken a great fancy for some chocolates,
dearie. Can't yeu go down to Maillard's
and get me some ?"
"Maillard's? Two miles to bring you
some chocolates! do believe, Lizzie, you
want to get rid of me.'
This intimidated the lady from making
any more suggestions at that moment.
The two finished their dessert and ad-
journed to the library. They sat there 4
short time, looking over the evening pa
pers. 1t was after six o'clock, and Mrs.
Hubbard was extremely uneasy. The
words swan before her eyes; she had not
the least idea of what she was reading.
She was so afraid the flowers would arrive
before she got rid OF Sinclair. And how
to get rid of him was the question.
He appeared about as fidgity as she. He
and forth sat down again, and finally look
ing over the top of b paper he said
"Lizzie. dear. havn't You forgotten
about dressing?"
"Oh. no, Sinclair I'm going this min
ute"
Devoutly she wished that her precious
Sinclair belonged to y club, and was 60
ing to it that very evening. 1t would be
easy to send messenger after him when
the time came for desiring his presence.
But he had been too devoted husband to
join club.
II am going up to mo dressing-room,
too, my dear. You need not hurry at all
abont your toilet. have some new hand
kerchiefs to mark, and shall not be down
until eight o'clock"
Mrs. Hubbard's countenance frightened
If he only would stay up stairs an hour or
two, all would come out splendidly. She
fingered behind, allowing him to prscede
her up stairs. while she whispered to
Mary. the parlor maid, to attend to the re-
ception and placing of the flowers in the
parlors and dining-room. When she was
in the midst of dressing, a ring of the bell
caused her to step lightly into the hall,
and look over the balusters, to see if it
heralded the flowers. Her husband open
ed the door of his room and also intended
to peep, but he lodged back when he saw
her.
Hubble. dear" said she, going to his
door, "promise me not to 60 down until l
call for you"
"All right" came the Cheerful response"
After that there was an almost incessant
inging of door-bells. Mrs. Hubbard grew
hurried and excited, she would have been
certain that her guests We're beginning to
arrive in advance of the hour. only that
she knew Mary would come and inform
her, if such was the fact.
About a quarter before eight she took
good look at herself in her mirror, prepa-
ratOry to going down stairs. She could
not tail to see that she was looking beau
tiful. The rich. soft flowing white dress
was extremely becoming, and its elegance
was greatly enhanced by the new diamonds
her husbands costly gift. In her rich.
dark hair she wore single white rose,
and as see moved away from the glass,
she looked stately as queen. The flush
of anticipation on her cheeks made her
more lovely than usual. Her heart beat
fast as she knocked at Sinclair's door. He,
too, was in full evening dress. as he came
out, with rosebud In his buttonhole.
I'm your honor, darling" he said. smil-
in2at her surprised look. GLOW glorious
you look, Lizzie. All our friends ought TO
see you tonight. Is not that new dress ?"