The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1876-11-17

But they always fell back on thei
old habits as soon as the company ha,
gone, shutting up their pleasantest room
aud putting away the prettiest and bes
OF everything to save for company.
1t is strange how Mr.. Lane coult
have been in a pleasant mood when hi
coffee was muddy-it wasn't worth tn,
while to make anything nice for one
own folks-when the toast was burned
and breakfast tab'e looked so shabby
with its old cracked dishes, it is strange
how be could have been in a pleasant
mood, but he smiled, aud looked kind
ly at his wife one morning, proposing
what size loved to hear best of anything
that she should go to a ne;ghborina
village anc spend a week with her deal
old friend, Mrs. Daring.
"The girls are 50 large they can get
along very well without you for few
/ days." lie said, 'sthen I will take them
and come alter you SO that we all will
have little recreation"
The preparations were speedily made,
and Mrs. Lane departed having charged
her daughters to do everything in her
absence just as when size was at home,
to let alone tic sauces aud sweetmeats,
and all the dainties which she kept for
visitors-she had looked to them, and
kuew they would be sure and not use
any OF the company things
She and Mrs. Darling had been very
dear friends III their girlhood, aud, nm
like many Others, had kept their mutual
attachment after they were married.
Their husbands were churns at col
lese; had begun lie at the same time
and under similar circumstances, and
were now both OF them doing good
and successful business.
Mrs. Darling had two daughters, of
about the same ages as Jenny and
Fanny Lane, and then there were three
young children black eyed, tun-loring
boys.
''Nellie Is at home," Mrs Lane had
said to her husband ''for she wrote
me last week and l believe I slant
send her word that I am coming. It
viii be so much plaasanter to give her
a surprise"
1t was evening when she stepped
from the cars at the end of her journey.
and taking coach she went at once to
ner friends home.
"The trout rooms were lighted" size
exclaimed to herself with some con<ter-
nation, as she stopped at the door, Il |
should SO much rather have found them
,loue. Oh, dear -
Mrs. Darling opened the door her
self, ushcring her friend into the library,
and the two exchanged greetings with
Ill the warmth of their younger days /
They were so occupied that Mrs.
Lane quite forgot her first impression
lntil she went out to the dining room
o partake of tho tea which Mrs. Darl-
ng assured her was i'll waiting
Then when the cheerful murmur of
lappy voices foated out through the
,pen parlor doors, her first impression
'eturned to her, and looking up she
aid
''Yon have company tonight, Mel
lie !? You must not let me keep you
rom them any longer"
eyes the best of company, replied
Yrs. Darling with a smile, ssmy husband
nd children. Fred has gone out,
horglr; but he will be back by the
ime you have finished your tea, and
hen you shall see them all. Let me
i'll your cup again"
GLOW odd," thought Mrs. Lane,
that she should open the parlor just
Or her own famiIy.'
The evening passed pleasantly and
d the morning when Mrs. Lane arose,
he air OF comfort with which every
right room in the house seemed full,
4as very refreshing.
The morning meal was simple one,
ut its tasteful arrangement made it
cry inviting, and Mrs. Lane partook
f it with a Keener relish than she had
.nown for many a week.
Dinner was already when Mr.. Darl-
og came III from bis office, and as they
at down to the neatly laid table in the
haded dining room, Mrs. Lane thought
be had never seen happier circle, or
aten better meal, though there was
'othing sumptuous placed before them.
Nellie" said she, when they were
eft alone. 81 told you not to go max
ng company fer me. I did not want
fou TO get any of your best dishes nor