The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-02-21

ut Olce, IL cdH Wulspcr tWo Or tnre6
| words in her ear.
Unfortunately, when Annie got to the
hall door she heard loud voices in angry
| discussion.
From parlor to kitchen is always a
\ sharp transition (; but was there ever 80
marked contrast between the two
rooms as in Mrs. Mayne's house that
night?
"There's no doing anything with
ms" !" said Ceci "she's just as obstinate
as che Sphinx"
"Yes everybody has been asking TO,
her," said Midge. pouting, "and won
dering why she didn't come into the
parlor."
$50 be sure--and I would have told
them she is sick, but like rs not if I did.
she would come popping in the next
minute, saying thatshe never felt better
ia her life," added Essie.
Then Mrs. Mayne broke in angrily
"Don't want another word from you,
Esther. I've caught you at your tricks.
miss. Didn't you think had any eyes
in my head when you were giving Oliver
money in the hall tonight ?"
"Well, suppose did, "retorted Essie.
Indignantly; "I can't zee people coming
to the house and go away without q
crumb to eat."
"That's just what they will do" said
the mother, rapping her knuckles furi-
ously on the table at which she had been
sitting with her sewing. "Didn I tell
you that there shouldn't be any supper
tonight And as for tampering with
your brother, and making him rs dis.
obedient as you girls are, that I will not
permit |"
You don't mean to say" exclaimed
Essie, nearly inarticnlate with anger,
"that at you stopped Oliver from going
That's Just what do mean to say."
Mrs. Mayne's temper had now risen to
su,ch a pitch of evaporation that, not
Wthstanding the fact that since her en-.
trance Annie had not ceased to pour gen.
tie pleadings into her mothers ear, the
good lady felt she must have some fuller
vent than mere words. Her finger itch
ed to box somebody's ears.
Just as she glanced about from one to
the other, poor unfortunate Oliver, who
had been sitting on the lounge behind
his mother, in swinging bis foot, acci-
dentally kicked his mothers chair.
Quick as flash she wheeled about on
him and gave him sound slap.
81 amt doin' nothin'," he cried.
sharply, clapping to his geography to
hide the Claude Duval he had been
slyly reading. "You needn't take it
out on me because you are mad at the
girls"
Things have come to such pass"
said Mrs. Mayne, bitterly. "that never
expect to take any peace or comfort in
this house any more ="
just then there came gentle rapping
at the hall door.
The girls hearts stood still. Was
some guest coming out to be insulted
was their mother going to shame them
forever?
"Let me in," said cheerful voice at
the sound of which poor Amie's breath
came quickly. o, horrible If her
mother should be disagreeable to Mr..
Pickens
Neither Annie nor her sisters need
have feared. Human nature is many
sided; it has its curious instincts.
Angry as mother may be with her own
flesh and blood, she cannot flaIlnt their
failings before other peoples eyes.
Bitter as the pill was, Mrs. Mayne
swalloN her wrath whole and walked
to the door with smiling face.
"Why, Mr.. Pickens is that you ?"
said she, giving him her hand.
was afraid You were going to be
invisible all the evening"" replied Mr..
Pickens, land I made bold to hunt you
1 want my Annie
A shock went through Mrs. Mayne's
frame. Mr.. Pickens had told the whole
story bluntly in those few words, and
magically as picture sponged from
slate were Amie's shortcomings wiped
from the tablet of her mothers remem-
brance.
"I'm sure," said she. tremulously,
60 couldn't wish her a better choice,
Mr.. Pickens; and if she makes as good
a wife as she has been a daughter, you
will be happy man,"
The little disturbance was all forgot
ten. The girls went back into the
parlor radiant, while Mrs. Mayne
dropped few salt tears as she brewed
some delicious coffee for her daughters
guests, and Oliver, harboring no resent.
ment, sped to the bakers as fast as his
legs could carry him.
1t was not until the guests were all
gone, and the girls were alone together,
that Annie received her sisters congratu-
lations.
The gas fared over the bureau, piled
with ribbons and crimping- pins; brace
let's and shreds of torn curling papers;
fringe of silken frizettes had fallen
across the powder box; then there were
,ufhes, brushes, cosmetics and combs.
But nobody minded the disorder in the
east.
Perched on one bed, arrayed in the
. 'prettiest night-gowns under the sum-"
we're the four girls, talking and talking,
n spite of the lateness of the hour.
"There Will be only three of US to |
'quabble for the looking glass" said
Midge, signing.
And suppose we will have to 60 on |
paying for meat that is eaten, and clothes |
hat are worn out, while Annie will have
10 end of lovely dresses and bonnets,"
ldded Essie.
You haven't guessed the incest thing
u all that shall have" laughed Annie.
"Oh, / know" exclaimed Ceci, tri-
"your own way!'
Her Economy.
The dried apple of to-day has a hun |
ired wards the aforf of kha l.:ol -.