Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-02-01

self about those Howell girls. Ihey We
been unfortunate to be- sure, and they're
very passable, indeed but there's pre-
judice, you are aware, against girls VINO
stand in stores and who knows but Mrs.
Mowbray would take offence at my lnvl-
ting such persons to meet her [ shouldt
like to do it, indeed, without first asking
her; and I can't do that this time. ohe
is very particular, and SO excessively high
bred.''
'.Then I don't think she'd regard you
the less, my DEAR" ventured to say, flor
being acquainted with two such excellent
girls as Patty and Lizzy Howell
s.Mr. Jones, don't be child" replied
my wife, finging herself to the other side
of the bed. CAT your age you should know
something of the world. Exclusive people,
like Mrs. Mowbray, don't care to meet
nobodies She was very choice, as you
saw, whom she admitted to her acqualn-
lance this summer: I may say, indeed'
that [ am the only one, OF all she met,
whom she recognizes now.'
TO have protracted the conversation
would have excited my wife's nerves and
deprived her of sleep, so l said no more.
but closed my eyes and courted slumber
anew. I have no recollection of anything
after that till woke up next morning, and
leaving Mrs. Jones abed, as usual, went
down to see that the fires were all right
and to do the marketing while breakfast
was being prepared.
The invitations to the party were issued
that week, Mrs MoWbray graciously pro-
missing to attend.
When the important evening arrived my
wife was all nerves. At every ring of the
bell, the color rose to her face with expec-
tation, but guest after guest entered with
out Mrs. Mowbray appearing. Her ner-
vousness soon began to change to ankle y,
and this, as the hours wore on, to dlsap-
pontment and dismay. She delayed the
supper for full hour. thinking that the
new friend might yet arrive, but in vain.
"What can the matter be?" she said to
me, as soon as we were alone. II hope the
dear babe is we'll. Perhaps, however, Mrs.
Mowbray is herself sick. Dear me, am
afraid I shall not sleep for anxiety. The
first thing I'll do tomorrow will be to call
on Mrs. Mowbray and see what is the
matter"
ssWouldn't that be against etiquette?"
l ventured to ask "It seems to me that
Mrs. Mowbray should send you note or
message, OF something of that sort, to
apologize for her ABSENCE
,1,y; ,pIc I,,t
she gave me look. And such a look 1t
expressed all the indignation which her
outraged bosom felt at having the slightest
suspicion cast upon her friend.
When 1 came home to dinner flat day 1
saw at glance that something had oc-
Cured to rufie my wife's nerves. She had
nothing whatever to say to me, but she
scolded the servants and children inces
sanity. l was too wise to inquire what
was wrong. I knew that Mrs. Jones, If
she thought proper, would tell me; and if
not that idle questions would only aggra-
vate her secret troubles.
But the next day, having heard some
thing that cast light on Mrs. Mowbray's
absence from our party. [ could not con-
tain myself when | came home.
s'Did you eyer hear, my love-" said 1, as
I began to carve the turkey at dinner,
shat the Misses Howell had married
sister,"
Mrs. Jones looked sharply up, as if he
suspected I meant more than [ said, and
then answered laconically:
II heard it casually, but never asked
further"
cit seems" l continued, that Mrs.
Mowbray is that sister,"
'sI'ye heard so SINCE" said Mrs. Jones
sharply; and turning to our second child.
who was asking for the wing bone, raped
him over the head, exclaiming, "Haven't
I told you to wait till you're helped? Take
that, now, and learn manners."
I allowed minute or more to elapse, in |
order that my wife's ebullition might sub
side, when remarked:
'FMrs. Mowbray, 1t seems, expected to |
meet her sisters here"
II shouldn t wonder If she did," snap
pishly said Mrs. Jones, looking down into
her plate, and apparently absorbed in part
ing wing joint.
s'When she found,"I continued, 'that
her sisters were not asked, she grew in
dignant. She heard the reason, it seems.
Your friend, Mrs. Wharton, whom you
have made a confdante, told some lady.
who told her; and hence her anger"
s'I'm sure don't care if 1 never see the
proud thing again." said my wife, redden-
ing very much, but still without looking
up. Gone would not have supposed that
she was sister to the Misses Howell"
After another pause passed 1 said;
Ibid you call on Mrs. Mowbray, as you
Mrs Jones was silent for full minute,
and seemed half disposed to decline an
swering altogether; but finally she blurted
out her reply, as follows:
Eyes, did, since you must know. She
was not at home-so, at least, the foot.
man said, but if 1 didn't see her at the
window" and here she
burst into tears of modification and rage.
may 1 never eat another mouthful.'
1 saw that it would not do to continue
the conversation; so 1 quietly ate my din
ner, kissed the children, and went my
way.
Of course the intimacy of my wife with
Mrs. Mowbray ceased from that fatal
party; and 1 am sorry to say that the
Misses Howell have. as the phrase goes,
"cut our acquaintance"
MENTAL pleasures never cloy. Unlike
those of the body, they are increased by
ronatition apnrOved of by reflection and