Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1878-02-28

but rs 1t Is 10 DO select party, and
as l have already mentioned rather
too many, and as Mrs Mowbray
may not want to meet all sorts OF
people, and as''-
"Stop, my dear" said !, with q
sigh, for l saw that my favorites
were not to be invited, ''you have
given good reasons enough. 1t is a
great pity though" And l sighed
again-a sigh eloquent Of passive
resignation.
My wife heard my sighs, and her
tender heart was touched. She
paused momentin embarrassment,
and perhaps even revolved the idea
Of yielding to my wishes but in
the end she raised herself on her ell
bow, and said
"Mr. Jones, do listen to reason.
You don't know how foolish you
make yourself about those Howell
girls. They've been unfortunate TO
be sure, and they're very passable,
indsed but there's prejudice, you
are aware, against girls who stand
in stores ; and who knows but Mrs.
Mowbray would take offence at my
inviting such persons to meet her. |
should like to 10 it, indeed, with,
cut first asking her; and | can't do
that this time. She is very particu-
lar, and so excessively high-6red."
''Then don't think she'd regard
you the less, my DEAR" ventured
to say, "for being acquainted with
two such excellent girls as Patty
and i.iZzY Howell"
"Mr. Jones, don't be Child" re-
piled my wife, flinging herself to the
ether side of the bed. "AtyoIr age
you should know something of the
world. Exclusive people, like Mrs.
MowbraY, don't care to meet no.
bodies. She was very choice, as you
saw, whom she admitted to her ac-
quaintance this summer I may
say, indeed, that am the onl one,
Of all she met, whom she recognizes
now."
To have protracred the converse
tion would have excited my wife's |
nerves and deprived her of sleep, so
I said no more, but closed my eyes
aud courted slumber anew. have |
no recollection of anything after |
that till I woke up next morning,
and leaving Mrs. Jones abed, a 8 U.s.
ual, went down to. see that the fires
were all right and to do the market
ing while breakfast was being pre-
pared.
The invitations to the Iarty were |
issued that week, Mrs. Mowbray |
graciously promising to attend.
When the important evening ar
rived my wife was all nerves. At
every ring of the bell, the color rose
to her face with expectation, but
guest after guest entered without
Mrs. Mowbray appearing. Her
nervousness soon began to change
to anxiety, and this, as the hours
wore ON, to disappointment and dis
may. She delayed the supper for
full hour, thinking that. the new
friend might yet arrive, but in vain.
"What can the matter be ?" she
said to me, as soonas we were alone.
II hope the dear baby is we'll. Per-
haps however, Mrs. Mowbray is
herself sick. Dear me, / am afraid
I shall not sleep for anxiety. The
trst thing I'll do to- morrow will ibe
to call on Mrs. Mowbray and see
what is the matter.
"Wouldn't that be against eti-
quette ?" I Iventured to ask. at
seems to me that Mrs. Mowbray
should send you a note CT message.
or something of that sort, to apollo
Gise for her absence"
Mrs. Jones did not reply in words
but she give me look. And such
a look 1t expressed all the indig-
nation which her outraged bosom
felt at having the slightest suspi-
elon cast upon her friend.
When came home TO dinner that
day I saw at a glance that some
thing had occurred to ruf13 my
wlfe's nerves. She bad nothing
whatever to say to me, but shescold-
ed the servants and childlen inces-
sanity. I was too wise to inquire
what was wrong. IkneH that Mrs.
Jones, if she thought proper, would
tell me and if not, that idle ques-
tions would only aggravate her Sc
cret troubles.
But the next day, having heard
something that cast light OH Mrs.
Mowbray's absence from our party.
I could not contain myself when
came home.
did you ever hear, my love-"
said as I began to carve the turkey
at dinner, THAT the Misses Howell
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