The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-01-01
THE NEW YEARS PARTY.
by MARY A. DESIsoN.
"Then Won won't go. AIice2.

"Then you won't go, Alice?"
'No, Herbert-I'm SO sorry-but the
baby"
30, hang the babyr' and Herbert
flung oHt OF the room, slamming the
door behind him.
Alice stood looking at the door,
growing whittier and winter. Then she
gave heart breaking cry, fell on her
knees by the cradle, and hiding her
face in her hands, sobbed bitterly.
She had looked forward so long to
going TO this New Years party. 1t was
given by Mrs. Mountjoy, one of the
leaders OF society in Washington, and
all that was eminent in politics, diplo-
macy or literature, as well as distin-
guished in the fashionable world was
sure to be there. She had been kept
at home so much, since baby had been
born, that she really felt the need Of
little variety and relaxation. But baby
had been threatened with Group,
week before, and the fond mother had
not yet recovered from her fright Ba-
by, she admitted, was now better, "but
not IL b." she declared, "to be left, at
least with only the nurse TO look after
il. Nurses are 30 careless, everybody
Il
So she had felt IL her duty to give mp
the party. She had not asked Herbert
to give il up also. and had even said
there was no reason he should stay at
home; but still in her heart OF hearts,
she had hoped he woIld.
He said, hang the baby yes, he
did, darling" she murmured, with in
dignant emphasis, as she bent over the
little unconscious sleeper. at was
your papa, who said that, and he has
gone to a brilliant party, with such
thoughts OF his wife and child Did
you come. dearest, TO estrange US from
each other?"
This awful idea called for bittersr
sighs.
Herbert had said such beautiful
things in her trusting, young maiden
hood. Never should their lives run
in seperate channels, as those OF some
married people OF their acquaintance
did"-''never Joy be accepted that
did not make them one-never bar
rier should come between them" And
now to feel that this wee babe, with its
golden curls, this beautiful, little,
helpless creature should part them, as
never strong hands eould
She pictured the gay assemblage,
and her Herbert dancing with fair,
young girls, smiling on others, and
leaving her TO die of heart break.
Her imagination, always too vivid,
viewed him in the midst of his triumphs
until her misery took almost the form
OF madness.
He didn't want me TO 60" she cri-
ed, "he acted as il he did" and then
he pretended to throw all the blame on
dear, helpless baby"
Suddenly she heard the sound OF car
riage wheels outside; they stopped At
the door; the bell rang; and q fairy
like figure stood on the threshold of
the room, in all the wistfulness of ex-
pectancy, with dipling smiles and
lauR hing eyes.
30, Mabel" cried Alice starting TO
her feet, with glad cry. This is, ,in-
deed. surprise. I'm so glad you've
come. My darling sister.
Forthwith ensued sense OF raptu-
rous welcome. Then the baby was ex-
hibited, and one-would not have
dreamed that a tear had ever stained
the cheek of the proud mother. Then
the visitors trunks were ordered to be
carried Hp stairs.
''But where's Herbart7 Tn the
study" said Mabel, ut last.
All the light went out of her sisters
eyes; her hands fell.
"He-he is out, dear.
"Goodl Don't be angry, because
I'm glad, for We can have such a nice
little chat You didn't expect me.
"Of course / didn't"
"Well, didn't think of coming, as
you know, fer a month vet. But
thought it would be so nice TO surprise
you. II would open the New Years,
auspiciously, perhaps"
OF I'm so glad.
And then Paul's coming" she said
blushing, "ne1t week, TO stay a mouth;
he has business here; and be wanted
40 badly 10 be here, too. / declare,
she added. laughing, "Tll have to mar
ry him pretty soon 10 get rid OF him"
"Oh Mabel, don't marry him unless
you are certain you will be happy,
cried Alice, hysterically. ''Be sure
first he won't go to parties and leave
you s-slone with bs-baby, she sobbed.
What Il Herbert at psrty?"
queried Mabel, quite subdued.
"Yes, he is, and when told him i
couldn't go on account OF baby, he
said hang ba.babyr Yes, you little
angel, your own father said those aw-
full words-and then he sla-slammed
the door"
"he is q viperl" exclaimed Mabel,
With sudden vehemence. "a nice way
to treat wife like You, a baby like
that But why couldn't you leave ba-
by2"
because he was threatened with the
Group last week.
But he il we'll enough nov-sleeps
deliciously. He will not wake up all
night perhaps. And the nurse woald
have taken good care OF him"
II should have been thinking Of fire,
and Group and all that"
20 nonsense. You ought TO have
gone. But Herbert had no right to be-
have a. he did; and he must be punish
ed" and Mabel threw her wraps on the
bed ana took a seat by the FIRE. ut
won't do 10 let him get the upper hand.
An, / have il. I've thought OF a splen-
did plan. A charming, delightful lit
tie plot, and she clapped her hands in
"Oh Mabel, what is it2" and Alice
aid down at her sisters feet, gazing in
her face with expectant smiles. "What
are you gowing to dor
I'm not going to do IL. j shall stay
here and watch baby. You are TO go
10 the party"
mabel impossiblel"
"Quite possible. In fact must be
done. You must LET Herbert see that
you are pretty as anybody, and quite
as much admired. IL is decided. You
are TO go to the party, and play part.
Let me arrange the programme.
Bat, Mabel, / haven't dress pre-
pared--or anything. gave up going
a week ago, when baby was threatened
with the Group"
"Pshaw, you shall wear one OF mine,
one of the most bewitching, bowilder-
ing of dresses, bought from my last al.
lowance from uncle Curtis. Only 10
sec " will throw you into ecstacies. 90
Worth never composed anything more
lovely. / want 30 see IL on you. Come,
call your maid, / am all impatient. -
Well shame our bad husband into
good behavior, see il we don't No ir-
resolution, pretty sister OF mine. I'll
stay az home aud fancy myself mistress
n Il. A A