Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-02-22

thought, 81 am sure ma will be melted
at once, if can whisper two or thrse
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 so
marked contrast between the two
rooms as in Mrs. Mayne's house that
nightp
"There's no doing anything with
ma, D." said Ceci Z" she's just as obstinate
las the Sphinx"
"Yes everybody has been asking fol-
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 likes not if I did,
she would come popping in the next
minute, saying thatshe never felt better
in 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 l did, retorted Essie,
Indignantly; 81 can t see people coming
to the house and go away without a
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 tell
you that there shouldn't be any supper
t1-night? d? And as for tampering with
your brother, and making him as dis
obedientas you girls are, that will not
permit I"
"You don't mean to say" exclaimed
Essie, nearly inarticulate with anger,
"that you stopped Oliver from going
out ?"
"That's just what do mean to say"
Mrs. Mayne's temper had now risen to
such pitch of evaporation that, not
withstanding 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 unfort tunate 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
opt 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 d 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 it's curious instincts.
Angry as a mother may be with her own
flesh and blood, she cannot faunt their
failings before other peoples eyes.
Bitter as the pill was, Mrs. Mayne
swallowed 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, "and l made bold to hunt you
besides, 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 a
slate were Amies shortcomings wiped
from the tablet of her mothers remem-
brance.
"Im sure" said she. tremulously,
" / couldn't wish her better choice,
Mr.. Pickens; and if she makes as good
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 flared over the brreau, 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
ruffies, brushes, cosmetics and combs.
But nobody minded the disorder in the
least.
Perched on one bed, arrayed in the
"prettiest night-gowns under the sun. +"
were the four girls, talking and talking,
in spite of the lateness of the hour.
"There viii be only three of us &c
squabble for the looking-glass," said
Midge, signing.
"And suppose we will have to 60 on
paying for meat that is eaten, and clothes
that are worn out, while Annie will have
no end of lovely dresses and bonnets,"
added Essie.
"You haven't guessed the incest thing
of all that 1 shall have" laughed Annie.
"Oh, / know" exclaimed Ceci, tri-
umphantly; "your own way !"
Her Economy.
The dried apple of to-day has hun.