Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-01-04
SHE WENT sUMMERlNG.

II do declare, Harry! but I think you
are too cross for anything! It's down.
right shame to want to keep me at home,
and you off so constantly. Just as if I
wouldn't enjoy a summering as well as
yourself!''
Little Mrs. Merle was qulJe indignant,
so much so that her pretty violet eyes
looked nearly black as they flashed across
the breakfast table at her husband-a big,
handsome fellow, with the loveliest golden
mustache and darling brown eyes, which
at this parti cular moment were wearing an
expression Of serene amusement as he look
ed between the silver sugar basin and
cream pitcher at the pink rose on his wife's
bosom, heaving so irregularly through her
decisive indignation, that the velvety petals
fairly quivered.
Mr.. Merle calmly dipped his spoon into
tiny pyramid of glowing currant jelly.
'Really, Florence, [ can't for the life of
me see what you are finding fault with.
Haven't you been out to your mothers all
of June? Didn't I buy you all the new
dresses and fixings you wanted? am sure
there is nothing to complain of-with your
pony ph@ton whenever you want, your
ticket to the park concerts, this nice cool
house, the servants and the Children
Mr.. Merle delivered his remarks in
very matter of fact way, as if his opinion
of the case in question settled it.
But Mrs. Merle, with little bang of her
fork as she laid it down, thought different
ly, evidently, and resumed the cudgel in
her own defense quite valiantly.
"Of course it was perfectly lovely to go
home in June, but am sure you went as
well as so we are even then, AS to the
home convenience here, Harry that isa set
tied question, and not under consideration.
OF course I've dear, delightful home, but
that's no reason why should want to re-
main forever in it. Besides. If New York
is for me, why not for you? Then, to think
woman never gets Tired of the society of
her children, if they are such darlings as
ours ~
Her eager, animated face was lifted to
see the effect of her womanly argument :
but the only result, as far as she could nb-
serve, was an increased serenity and impor-
tance in Harry's manner, patent in the cool
elaboration with which he sailed and ate
his egg.
'sYou don't understand, my dear that
is all. Women seldom do; and think it
hardly necessary that l should explain
every time leave town for few days, that
it is rarely except on urgent business, rot
to the pleasure excursions you seem to re-
gard them"
Florence listened attentively, half
doubtful expression on her pretty face.
Business again, Harry? Only last week
you had business at Saratoga, and now
Well, it seems singular that you are OBJ
liged to go to Long Branch on the same en-
rand, just in the height of the fashionable
season, too"
A sarcastic smile began to creep around
her lip, but Mr.. Merle was perfectly equal
to this shaft of satire.
eff, as said, women were capable of I'M
derstanding business in allits ms and outs,
you would appreciate the necessity of my
being at the Branch, for few days at
least during the fashionable season, when
the wealthy Southern and Western people
are there and an opportunity is offered to
secure their custom. Pm very sure, Flo
renee, that it is as much for you and the
babies as for myself that go.''
Mrs. Merle stirred her chocolate slowly,
thoughtfully, and then suddenly looked
up:
"Well, whatever your GRAND, | insist
that l may just as well GO as not. May ?''
| was point blank questionable open
attack after the sklrmish. She asked it
eagerly, her cheeks glowing like the dainty
blossoms OF an oleander, and her eyes full
of coaxing sweetness.
A charmingly pretty face, the fairest Of
figures Harry knew it was so; only
that self-same face had sat opposite him
nearly three years now at the table, and al
though he really loved her dearly, he was
bit of a Airt-yery much a lady's man
and pinned for an ''airing" all by himself.
And this trip to Long Branch was just
the thing. To be sure, he really did have
business with gentleman at the Ocean
CONSCIOUSNESS that would require but
fifteen minutes to transact-but Of course
that was none Of FIo's business, and ii he
choose to make fortnight IS or months
affair of it, he had no one to ask. only,
somehow, mis- wife's direct question foored
him for one second, then he arose, in dig
nifed indifference, from the elegant little
breakfast table.
ST thought that was all arranged, Flor
ence Of course you can't go. Women are
a horrid nuisance when fellows on busl-
,,orc ,,1shinn from ono thinn to another