The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-07-24
Turning the Tables.

can have all alone = said little Mrs.
Grey, dropping the crimson curtains in
the cozy sitting room and turning to
her husband as she spoke. "But l
would like to 60 to the opera p she
added, her dimpled face frightening a
little. "You have promised, you know,
Fred, but I suppose you are tired"
eyes," yawned her drowsy spouse,
from his post on the sofa, where, with
heels erect after the fashion of the
masculine world in general, intent on
physical and mental comfort, he lay
smoking
"But never mind" finished Rosa, con-
solingly; tive can 60 another time, and
I will read to YOU" And she drew
nearer the shaded light on the center
table and picked up book. "Hark !!
there is the door bell" And she rose
to her feet.
"Stay, 1 will answer it." said Fred,
suddenly forgetting his WEAKNESS, and
springing up, he went hurriedly into the
hall.
"Rosa," he said, presently reappear
ing at the door, ''it's Davis; l have
promised to go with him to B
street, to see sick friend of his. You
won't be lonely, pet, with so much to
entertain you" And with a kiss he
was gone, with her "Don't stay long y
ringing after him.
Rosa sat listening till the sound of
their footsteps died away.
"Now l shall have to spend the even
ing all alone. Oh dear" she sighed
disconsolately.
At that moment she spied bit of
paper lying on the carpet, and stopping,
picked it up. 1t ran thus:
"Opera at half-past eight. Will call.
DAVIS"
"Ah p said Rosa, her brows contract
ing as she spoke. ''Thats it ~ and
she tossed the note into the fire. ''That
detestable Davis-and Fred, too p she
finished, the tears springing to her eyes
quickly. "Why didn't he say so if he
did not want me to gol"
"Oh p she finished, ''if I could only
60 tonight p And with little sigh
she sat down again and looked into the
fire. Soon the door bell rang again.
"Show him in," was her reply to
Ka+ties announcement, in rich Irish
brogue, Gentleman to see We, mem p
81 wonder who it is y she murmured,
passing her hand over her fair hair.
"Why, George" an instant later was
her delighted exclamation. "When did
you Gomez"
Further EXPLANATIONS We're lost in
fond kisses from the bearded young man.
"My darling little sister! So you are
glad to see the wanderer p was the affec.
tionat query.
"Indeed, I'm delighted p warmly re-
sponded Rosa GLOW handsome you
have grown, George
"Flatterer I" smiled her brother. "But
where is Fred ?" he asked, suddenly. 81
am anxious to make the acquaintance of
that happy brother that I have never
seen. How much l wanted to come to
the wedding, dear, you cannot know. I
was in Brazil when your message
reached me. But what's the matterf y
he asked, pausing quickly, and gancing
at Rosa's grieved face "There," seeing
tears in her bright eyes, 'tell me all
about it"
Rosa poured the tale into his sypa-
thizing ears, and ended with
ooh, George If we could only go p
"And 60 we will" said George, rising
and looking at his watch. "How soon
can you be ready
'In fifteen minutes" laughed Rosa,
gleefully, and she ran blithely away, to
dress
There was slight stir in the house as
a couple entered; very late they were,
and all eyes were centered upon them
the lady slender and graceful, with great
azure pillows of silk falling around her
in shimmering folds, pearls braided low
in her brown hair, and snowy opera
cloak drawn carelessly about her shout
ders-the gentlemen stately, nonchalant,
wearing that air of polish attained by
foreign travel, and devoted to his COM
panion, whom he seated with careful
tenderness.
''Grey," said Davis, giving his friend
nudge, "who is that last party that is