Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-01-17

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Group last week"
but he's well enough now-sleeps
deliciously. He'll not wake up all the
night. perhaps, and the nurse would not
have taken good care of him
II should have been thinking of fire
and Group and all that"
"Oh, nonsense You ought to have
gone But Herbert bad no right to behave
as he did and he must be punished -
and Mabel threw her wraps on the bed
and took her seat by the glowing fire. ut
wont do to let him get the upper hand.
All! l have it. I've thought of spen-
did plan. A charming, delightful little
plot" and she clapped her hands in glee.
sob, Mabel. what is it ?" and Alice
slid down at her sisters feet, gazing in
her face with expectant smiles. "What
are you going to do y
Pm not going to DO it. I shall stay
here and watch baby. You are to 60 to
the party )"
mabel impossible y
"Quite possible. 1t must be done,
You let Herbert see that you're as pref
ty as anybody and quite as much ad-
mired. It is decided. Let me arrange
the programme"
But Mabel, haven't dress pre-
lpared-or anything, gave up going a
week ago,you see. when baby was threat
ened with the Group"
| "Pshaw You shall wear one OF
mine, one Of the most bewitching, be-
wildering of dresses. bought from my
last allowance from Uncle Curtis. Only
to see it will throw you into eystasies.
Worth never composed anything more
lovely. | want to see it on you. Come,
come, call your maid am all impa-
thence. Wen shame our bad husband
into good behavior, see if we don't. No
irresolution, pretty sister mine. I'll
stay at home and fancy myself mistress
here. and count your pictures, vases and
aud pretty things and catalogue them,
so as to make mamma happy in a letter
Tomorrow.
In less than an hour Mabel led her
sister to the great French mirror, and
laughingly introduced her to the love-
Hest and best-dressed woman she had
almost ever seen.
Alice trembled little when she found
herself actually on her way to Mrs.
Mountjoy's; but her sisters urgent will
had conquered, and her heart was hard
ened by Herbert's emphatic expression
concerning the baby. She was treasured,
however, by Mrs. Mountjoy's hearty
welcome,
80 glad you've come, my DEAR" she
said "Your husband said he feared
baby would keep you at home, but |
told him it was all nonsense. You did
right to reconsider the matter"
Herbert, like many handsome society
men, was little spoiled and selfish, with
knowing it. He loved Alice devotedly
but he was not unwilling to receive the
sweet smiles and honeyed words of others
while, with mans inconsistency, be
was not DESTROYS that his wife should
play the part Of married belle.
1t was while he was dancing with one
Of the most noted and beautiful women
of the metropolis, who was more willing
to listen to his nonsense, that Herbert
looking up from the face leaning against
his shoulder while the dreamy waltz
music "thrlled hearts sensitive to sad
ness as to joy" encountered the spark
ling face of bis wife, and saw her ar.
raycd in the freshest and most graceful
costume in the room. She was NOV
ing quietly along with an escort in uni.
form.
Pray don't stumble" said his part.
ner. petulantly, for from that moment
the grand repose of bis manner was gone,
and the lady on his arm might have
been made Of wax or any other ductile
material, for all be cared now.
"How the dickens came she here p
he muttercd to himself as he lead his
partner to a seat, deaf to all her pretty
words, blind to her destinations. at
certainly is Alice-but that drcss-the
prcttiest thing here and I left her quite
determined not to come. ! don't un-
derstaDd it. Dancing with that militia
ry puppy, Guinett, too. She knows |
hate him"
With these animated thoughts he laid
himself out to gain the attention of his
wife and make her explain 1t was some
time before he had the chance, so he was
Obliged to content himself with follow
ing her graceful motions, angry with him
self and with her.
"Alicc. Can | believe my eyes ?" he
said at last, 10 the pause Of the dance.
81 should think you might, rather"
was the noncbslant reply.
"Pray. How did you come n
pray, how did you come | rode
Did you walk p
"Well, but"
Excuse me. I'm engaged four deep
already" and Herbert was forced 10
move aside as pompous acquaintance
claimed her hand
I'D like to knock that fellow down"
he muttered, angry and 10 earnest
Another pause and another tete-a-
tete-no satisfaction given. Herbert had
hardly the grace to redeem his dancing
engagements.
About the baby, Alice p he asked
anxiously.
She put Der rosy lips 20 his ear and in
snbdued voice exclaimed
Hang the baby !"
Herbert started and changed color
To be sure be had used the same Lam
guage. but from her il was too exasper-
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