The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-03-30

cry had been established, and, though
one might imagine so small an addition
was not serious one, it cost lis no trifing
sum. L could not have endured to see
my baby badly dressed. How could !
have seen it go out except in the sweetest
and freshest of garments? So it was
duly adorned in the whitest and prettiest
things, which insured satisfactory
amount OF patronage for OUR laundress,
and most appalling bills for me. How
ever, we managed to keep afoat in some
wonderful manner but Henry was be-
ginning to have strangely careworn
look, to which could not blind myself.
He was worried and harassed. His
business was all right but there were
bills to be met, difficulties to be disposed
of which he could not quite see the
end of.
To outward appearance, however, we
seemed very prosperous pair. Our
house was now as elegant as our neigh
bors'. L had q thousand costly little
trifies lying about the drawing got
from time to time, and, as usual, not
paid for, some of which the storekeepers
themselves had pressed me into pur-
chasing. Sometimes sharp pang shot
through me when thought over our po-
sition, and l wished when we. had first
set up that had had sufficient sense to
persuade Henry to 90 so more IN accord
ance with our income than we had done;
but it was too late now; we must trust to
some good fortune turning up. Henry
had hopes that his partners meant to
promote him, and if they were realized
we should be much better off. This idea
was buoying us both up, and we were
feeling particularly sanguine when Mr..
Trevor, the senior partner, a peculiar
man, who never almost left his own
house in Bedford square, except for the
Office, announced his intention of coming
to Amberly Villas to dine, if we would
have him. In our anxiety to impress
him favorably we launched out into fur.
ther expenses. He must be handsomely
entertained, SO much might depend upon
his visit. Accordingly, 1 arranged q
most recherche little dinner, and had the
table laid out la Russe to my entire
satisfaction; when everything was COM
pleted, surveying the preparation with
the utmost confidence in Mr.. Trevor's
verdict But alas for Henry's hopes
and my dinner. Mr.. Trevor came, par
took very sparingly and silently of our
hospitality, and departed without having
dropped one syllable on the subject
which we were so hoping he would dis
cuss.
Some ten days afterward the advance
in the business was bestowed upon one
of Henry's juniors who had never dreamt
of getting it. We were terribly disap-
pointed, having counted SO surely upon
an addition to our means; and, when our
wrathful feelings were mt their height,
who should suddenly walk in but Uncle
house since we were married. 1t was,
in fact great event for him to leave
Conington, but the freak had seized him,
He wanted to see his old favorite and his
new grandniece, SO he had come. He
only meant to stay for the day; in the
evening he intended to return home. In
my inmost heart / was as fond of him as
ever, but his visit was ill-timed. could
not rally from my disappointment for
Henry, and our cares were now assuming
too serious an aspect to be easily set
aside.
"You have beautiful little house,
Kate" he said. 81 had no notion Henry
was such rich man."
Hadn't you, uncle ?" said, trying to
laugh unconstrainedly.
CT am truly pleased to see you so
comfortable" continued Uncle Jocelyn,
kindly. "This room must have cost
you pretty penny, Kate; and L dare
say you have nest-egg somewhere as
well.
"Oh, it isn't very much," / answered,
really referring to the room, but, as he
thought, to the nest-egg and imagining
/ meant that the latter, though of small
proportions, did exist, he responded most
cordially:
doesn't matter how small, Kate
there's plenty of time to make it larger "
1t was no use undeceiving him, though
at that very moment an ominous envel-
ope was delivered to me with the an
nourCement that the person who brought
it was waiting for an answer to which 1
returned the usual formula, that Mr.
Arden was out, but would call in a day
or two. / tried to look as Indifferent as
possible, but / felt Uncle Jocelyn's eyes
were upon me, and my face colored pain
fully, nor did my confusion escape the
kind scrutiny. / felt thoroughly con-
vinced he had drawn his own conclu-
sions. Soon afterward lunch was an
nounced, and we descended to the draw
ing-room, where Sophy, my parlor-maid,
had, to my horror, arranged some of our
best china on the table, with the best in
tentions 1 knew, meaning to impress my
visitor with our grandeur, but little
imagining the real effect such superfui-
ties would have upon my uncle. He
noticed it directly, and admired it very
much.
"Where did you get that figure ?'' he
asked, indicating lovely china center
piece.
1 am not quite certain" I replied
carelessly eve have had it for some
time"
Was it very expensive9" pursued
Uncle Jocelyn.
go no, not very at least I didn't
think so" answered, recollecting with
painful throb that il certainly had not
cost us much as yet, considering that we
had not paid for it.
i need not give all the details ~ TTnola