Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-06-13

effort she makes to please his tastldlous
palate" she said, indignantly. ''I'll
give him lesson" And she INDUCED
her sense of amusement by contemplate
ing the sort of punishment she intended
to mete out to her nephew.
The thirtieth of December came, and
when Walter returned home at night
he said:
II had a telegram this morning. Aunt
Prue will be here by the seven O'Clock
train tomorrow. suppose you have
everything ready:"
"Quite ready" was Bessy's reply
''and very anxious to make her COM
Portable. Would you like to see her
room?"
swell yes, 1 don't care if do, said
Walter, who had come home in an ex-
ceptionally good humor, and taking
little Lulu upon his shoulder, the child
Growing with delight, he followed his
wife up stairs, thinking that very pro-
badly he might be able to suggest some
improvement. 1t was his way rather
to suggest alterations than 70 speak
we'll of what was already done.
''Don'tyou think you've Topped the
curtains too low'' he qaeried. And
isn't it rather childish to tie them with
blue?"
II thought blue was your favorite
color" said Bessy, who had fascied her
arrangement of the one bay-window a
masterpiece.
Yes; but-you see the hanging basket
in the centre, being necessarily COM
posed ofgreen plants and vines. makes
the contrast unpleasant"
"True enough" said Bessy, with the
least possible tinge of sarcasm in her
voice. Il might have Topped them with
green. But then, you see, must have
drapped the toilet-table with green =;
and the carpet happening to be blue
and fawn, perhaps the contrast might
have been still more unpleasant. Shall
l take the basket down? You know you
said your aunt was fond Of plants?"
perhaps, if she is, she may not like
them in her bedroom. However, let
the thing be-" he added. graciously.
II would loop the curtains foot higher
though"
''And spoil it all" said Bessy, almost
petulantly, for she often of late found
herself inclined to snap" under the
constant succession of mildly irritating
criticism, in which her husband H.
dulged.
"No-render the effect a hundred
times prettier. But no matter. 1 am
a man, and L suppose my opinion goes
for nothing. Still 1 would like to see
the curtains changed"
Little Lulu, meantime, applauded her
handiwork with loud acclama-
tons, ''pitty, pity !" she cried, pursuing
up her rosy mouth. and clapping her
baby-hands, as she looked from point
to point.
wouldn't blue have looked better
upon the bed?" asked Walter, whose
wide glances could find no fault in all
the other arrangements.
SIT seems to me white was more ap-
Bessy made answer '.but
if you prefer the blue, 1 will put it on"
"Most decidedly" said Walter,
delighted with this concession. II
knew the room wanted something, and
that was it. am sure you will be
better pleased yourself. 1t won't be
much trouble. You've all day to-
morrow, and particularly want Aunt
Prue to be pleased. From what have
said of you, she will have no ordinary
expectations as to your taste and
ability. So, do me honor"
1t was always me with lordly Walter
Allison. Bessy looked up in the face
Of her tall, handsome, stalwart husband
as he stood there, so kindly in his
beauty, the lovely babe still smiling
from his shoulder; one chubby arm
encircling his neck; one dimpled, white
fingered hand half-hidden in his luxu-
rious whiskers.
Superb In his royal privileges and die
tator and commander, how could he
fathom the expression of that toe pale,
yet tender face, whose sweet serenity
his thoughtless fault finding so often
clouded? And yet she was grieving
that moment because he so seldom
praised her.
The next day Aunt Prue came pune
tually, at seven in the evening. Bessy,
the baby, everything locked charming
by gas light. As 10 Aunt Prue, Bessy's
first longing was to fall on her bosom,
and feel herself encircled by such an
embrace as she fancied her mother
would have given her; for Bessy's
mother had been in heaven many
years.
Aunt Prue was very weary. beng
unused to travelling, and declined sup
per, taking only cup Of milk, and re-
firing almost Immediately.
''How do you like herr" asked Wal
ter.
Every much. L am sure shall love
her dearly before long"
81 think you will. Has she not a
lovely face? She is not as beautiful as
nay mother was. but she has ALWAYS
seemed like mother to me. We must
try to make her visit enjoyable. The
only thing L tremble about is, the table
the fare. Of course, you will do the
best you can, but there is knack about
these things, 1 might almost say a
genius, which only the favored few