The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-08-20
Selfrt Shry.
"HANG THE BABY!"

"Then you won't go, Alice ?"
"No, Herbert-T'm SO sorry-but the
baby"
."Oh, hang the babY!' and Herbert
dashed out of the room, slamming the
door behind him.
Alice stood looking at the door, grow
ing whittier and whittier; 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 30 long to 60
ing to this particular party. 1t was given
by Mrs. Mountjoy, one Of the leaders in
society. and all that was eminent in poll.
tics, diplomacy or literature, as we'll as
distinguished in the fashionable world,
were 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 a
week before, and the fond mother had
not yet recovered from her fright; so she
felt it her duty to give up the party
She had not asked Herbert to give it up
also, and even said there was no reason
why he should stay at home; but still in
her heart Of hearts she hoped he would
She pictured the gay assemblage, and
her Herbert dancing with fair young
girls, smiling on Others, and leaving her
to die of heart break.
"He didn't want me to co." she said
.he acted as if he didn't, 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 q,
the door; the bell rung; and fairy like
figure stood on the threshold of the
room, in all the wistfulness of expectan
cy, with dimpliug smiles and laughing
eyes.
"Oh, Mabel" cried Alice, starting to
her feet with glad cry. "This is indeed
a surprise; I'm so glad you've come, my
darling
Forthwith ensued scene OF raptur.
GUS welcome then the baby was exhibited
and one would not have dreamed that .
tear had ever stained the cheek of the
proud mother; then the visitors trunk:
were ordered to be carried up stairs.
"But where's Herbert9 In the study p
said Mabel at last.
All the light went out of her sister!
eyes her hands fell.
"He's-out, dear, at party"
"What9 Herbert a. party ?" queriet
Mabel, quite subdued.
"Yes, he is; and when / told him
couldn't go on account of baby, he said
Hang ba- baby? Yes, you little an
gel, your own father said those awfu
words-and then -he~.sl--slammed th,
door,"
"He's a viper!" exclaimed Mabel, wit
sudden yehemence. "A nice way t.
treat wife like you-and baby lik
that! But why couldn't you leave ba
by"
"Because he was threatened with crou
last week"
"But he's we'll enough now--sleep
deliciously; he'll not wake up all th
night, perhaps and the nurse would hav
taken good care of, him."
II should have been thinking of fire
and Group and all that."'
"Oh, nonsense! You ought to hav
gone; but Herbert had no right to bt
have as he did, and he must be punish
ed !" and Mabel threw her wraps on th
bed and took her seat by the CLOWN
fire. TT won't do to let him get the ur
per hand. All! haveit! I've though
Of a splendid plan; a charming, delight
full little plot, and she clapped her hand
in glee.
sOh, Mabel, what is it ?" and Alic
slid down at her sisters feet, gazing i
her face with expectant smiles; "wh,
are you going to do ?"
| "Tm not going to do it; I shall sta
here and watch baby. You are to go
the party"
"Mabel! Impossible!'
| "Quite possible in fact must be dc n
| You must let Herbert see that you're {
pretty as anybody, and quite as muc
admired; it is decided. You are to G
to the party and play a part; let me q
range the programme"
| "But Mabel, L haven't dress prepa
ed-or anything gave up going wee
ago, you see, when baby was threatene
with the Group"
| But Mabel would listen to no objet
tions, and in less than an hour led b,
sister to the great French mirror, an
laughingly introduced her to the lovel
est and best dressed woman she had eve
seen
| Alice trsmbled little when she foun
herself actually on the way to Mr.
Mountjoy's party ; but her sisters urgel
will had conquered, and her heart ws
hardened by Herbert's emphatic EXPIRE
sion concerning the baby; she was rea
sured, however, by Mrs. Mountjoy'
hearty welcome.
$50 glad you've come, my DEAR" 81
said; "your husband said he feared b
by would keep you at home; but ] to-
him it was all nonsense. You did rig
to reconsider the matter"
Herbert was dancing when he fir
!. caught sight OF her.
"How the dickens came she here ?"
muttered to himself,as he led his partn
absently to seat, deaf to all her pref
words, blind to her destinations. +"
certainly lie Ahce-but that dtess-tl
prettiest thing here! and left her qni
determined not to come. Idon't undt
stand it. Dancing with that milita
puppy, Guinnette, too she knows ha
him."
With these amiable thoughts he la
himself out to gain the attention Of b
wife, and make her explain; it was sor
time before he had the chance 80 he "
: Obliged to content himself with folio
ing her graceful motions, angry with biz
J. self and with her.
N"Alice! Can ] believe my eyes ?"
said at last. in the pause Of the dance.
: II should think you might, rather
was the nonchalsnt reply.
"Pray, how did yon Gomez"
spray, how did you come? l rod
d did you walk ?"
8 swell, but about the baby, Alice ?"
- asked anxiOusly.