The Republican journal., 1876-03-23

NOW am not gong to say that | was
sin love" with Primrose barley, but as
she was Jacks sister, and Mollie's best
friend, was in a manner obliged to
agree with my sister. when she declared
rapturously, as she often did, that Prim-
rose was 1.-The dearest girl in the world, 2
and although | will not say that | was
"in love" with her. | wiN say that |
would rather have been caught in that
plight by any one else in the world.
There was no way, however, but 10 put
brave face on it, and acknowledge my
failure and general helplessness, there
fore. seeing that the little mink was going
to leave me to my fate, | stretched forth
my hand, displaying my crumpled and
parti colored wristnand, and said solemn
Iy-''primrose barley, do You know how
to sew Il button on"
She was dcnure enough by this time,
only Il roguish twinkle in her eyes be-
traycd how hard it was to keep her amuse-
ment from sight, and closing the door she
came across the room, and looked down
on me like a pitying angel-"I sew ali
Jacks buttons on" she said. taking in at
Il glance my torlorn situation.
Here was Il model sister for young
man In imagination | contrasted her
with my somewhat indolent Mollie, ending
BY enyying Jack tremendously; but even
as did so my eyes fell on the dis,nantled
work-basket, and | confess that >hud
dered
"Primrose. T" said in whisper, "where
is Mollie?' -
She understood my thought. and pick
ing up the basket, commenced untangling
the contents.
shes got Il headache, ana won't be
down for a long time yet" said she re-as
suringly, and settling herself down costly
in the great chair which |, having recoy-
cred my politeness, rolled up for her, de-
voted herself to restoring the basket to
its former neatness and order, while
watched her attentively.
1t was wonderful how dettly and easily
those little pink fingers separated the
snarls upon which had gazed in despair,
and wound the different threads upon the
respective balls and spools. In an incred-
IDLY short space Of time my mischief was
entilely repaired, and |, drawing long
breath Of relief and thanktulness, looked
admiringly at the skilful hands.
Now" said she, after setting aside the
pretty trille, which inwardly vowed never
| to touch again -''now for the Wristband.' >
| | held out my hand, in obedience to her
merry nod, and displayed the tiny gold
thmble cleaning on my finger, when, to
my great discontinue, the provoking lit
tie thing went of into Il paroNysm of
| laughter, which made me wish that |
| had never Seeu a button, and wish much
more that had never tried to sew one on.
"Do excuse me, Mr.. Elliot, but it is
| really too comical," she said or rather
gasped .'What on earth would Molie
and Jack say?' then catching sight of
my shame faced appearance, she checked
herself with great contrition, and again
announced herself ready Tor work.
"Primrose." said |, II want you to
teach me how to sew a button on; it's
too comical, as you say, Tor a great six
iooter like myself to be so helpless, and
moving up my music-stool very close be-
side her, | prepared to receive her in
structions
"Well. SAID SHE, in no way resenting
my unusual proximity, in the Er2t place
you generol}Y ought to put your thimble
on the middle finger OF your right hand"
Here she looked at me mischievously,
while was conscious OF blushing deeply.
Then YOU thread your needle, and tie
knot in the end OF the thread
"le es, " said, deeply interested.
Then YOU put it through the cloth,
| leaving the Knot on the wrong side"
Yes"
Then yon slip the button on. 50
"Ihen You sew il firmly on this way
and the little hands flew back and forth
over the cloth in q manner perfectly be-
! Wiiuarinfr n my m son line mind
| Then you take stitch on the wrong
side to tasten it, and then cut the thread
Oft. Where are the scissors ,"
Il guess they are in the basket" said
forgetiul of my virtuous resolution, and
reaching toward it.
ATS no matter" she said hurriedly,
fearing that was going to make another
onslaught on its precious contents, II can
bite 1t off just as we'll"
"No," said gallantly, II will; it will
spoil your teeth and somehow it hap
pened that we bent down over it at the
same time, and-well when Primrose
raised her face again, she was blushing
violently, two big tears were in her eyes,
and the thread wasn't bitten off at all.
''llow could you, Mr.. Elliot" she said
reproachfully, and the two tears fell down
on the back of my hand
'.Primrose,n said |, and-but it's no
matter what | said
| Fifteen minutes later, when Sister Mol
lie opened the door, she was, for the first
time in her lite, startled out OF her usual
indolent self-possession.
"Well, | never." she calculated, with
more energy than | had supposed her
capable of exhibiting : ''Brother Fred
| ,,,| D,.;,,,,oc, n,rlo,- o,J +bou ~,
to the nearest chair to wait for an explain
| alton.
1t rus rather startling, | must confess,
| the spectacle that met her gaze. |, sitting
on the cosy little tete-a-tete, in my shirt
sleeves, no collar on, my hair uncombed,
a boot Oh my right foot, and slipper on
my LETT, one arm around Prim's waist,
and her head, with its bristlng crimping
pins, resting quietly on my shoulder.
"Molle," said I triumphantly. 'I'ye
learned how to sew on button, and Prim
| is going to oversee me in future, so |
sha'n't forget" and then Molle gave a
| little gurgle Of delight, and rushcd at us
| both
After we had calmed down a little, Prim-
rose looked up at me, and said rogush
| ly, GLOW about your appointment with
Jack ?"
"Prim," said severely, "Jack may 90
and hang himself. if he wants to. for all
me-
Prim stole wicked glance at Mollic,
which made her cheeks flame, and then,
as looked nquiringly at them both she
said softly. "Mlollie won't let him, Fred,
| dear"
The Khediye has always been preju-
diced in favor of American officers in his
service, and since the signal victory that
Egypt has won in Abysslnia he will be
more favorably disposed than ever toward
them. The victory which compelled the
Abyssinian King to sue tor peace was APP
parently a brilliant one, and Gen. Loring,
the commander of the expedition that
gained it, is an American, active, coura-
geous, cautious, and an excellent officer
| in all respects. He had to meet new con-
| 1itionc in ha oao,,,a ior in w n oh ha hoc