American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-01-24

slovenly slippers.
Mrs. Clarence poured out the coffee
as she chatted with the girls, in her
motherly, interested way.
"Tell me all about the party last
night, children; you were so good to
come home early"
Madgc looked up brightly.
| 1T was delightful, mamma. Forest
Lawn is a most elegant place, and the
company was well chosen"
Mabel sat frvwhing Grossly at the
steaming coffee.
+. Mamma, you know perfectly hate
coffee! Why didn't you tell Bridget
to make chocolate? I shan't touch
coffee"
| Gentle Mrs. Clarrence's face looked
suddenly distressed.
~ am sorry, dear, if you are disap-
pointed, but Bridget was so busy this
morning"
The ungracious voice broke In, harsh
"Then why didn't you make it your
sefa"
Mrs. Clarence flushed, and she gave
Mabel sad, reproachful look; then
another of warning towards the open
door.
''What are you pantomiming about,
for heavens sake? Madge, it is laugh
able to see the angelic disgust on your
| face
Madge went ON with her breakfast
quietly.
If my face shows my displeasure
and grief at the saucy way you speak to
mamma, it only betrays half what 1 feel.
Perhaps when you know there is a
stranger in the kitchen, eating his break
fast that Bridget gave him, and who
hears every word you say, you will be
induced to speak at least a trife more
respectfully, even if you don't mean it. :"
Mabel's lip curled.
"What do you suppose l care for a
stranger? Mamma, am 1 to have my
chocolate or not? Bridget! You lazy
thing, where's my chocolate?"
And Bridget not being that second on
the spot to answer, Mabel rushed angri-
| ly out into the kitchen in search of her,
to find instead a rough-bearded, ragged
clothed man.
81 don't see why you couldn't have
eaten your breakfast outside. The idea
of mamma being such an idiot as to al
low beggars in the house! Be quick as
you can, and get out!''
Evidently pretty Mabel was in the
| lr, hat
night of dissipation.
| She slammed closet-doors in her
search after the chocolate, and alter
nately scolded her mother, berated
Bridget and tantalized Madge, until at
last she grew so angry over the tempest
she was raising that she threw herself
into the chair in veritable fit of stub
born sulkiness.
Then, Madge having insisted on her
mother taking walk in the sunny gar
den, she went into the kitchen.
| pleasant morning, isn't it? What
| pity Bridget didn't give you your
breakfast a little more appetizinglv.
Here, do make the remnant of your cof-
fee at least palatable."
She was so CHEEKY that her very pres
ence was like ray of sunshine, and the
man, although he seemed unable to I'M
derstand her, bowed several times in
token of his thankfulness and appreci-
alton as she placed tiny jug of milk,
the sugar-bowl and butter-plate on the
table beside him.
Then she flew nimbly round and deity
prepared pot of chocolate, toasted a
slice of bread and carried it in to her
sister, pouting in the cushioned chair.
"Come, my lady, don't punish your
self because you happen to be little
out of temper. Come, dear, eat, drink
and be merry, and let's talk about Mr..
Caryl Ermine.''
Madges's infectious good humor, the
sight of the toast and the chocolate con-
quered, and Mabel permitted herself to
be coaxed into the gossip she really en-
joyed.
1T was glorious last night, wasn't it |?
Madge, was it only imagination, or did
he. really pay me very marked atten-
| tion?''
Madge laughed.
s'He was very courteous to every
body. Yes, come to think of it, Mabel,
he did dance with you three times, with
Miss Lester twice, and with other less
fortunate creatures only once"
(which latter list includes yourself.
Evidently he wasted no special admira-
ton on you," said Mabel.
The cruel, uncalled-for sarcasm cut
Madge to the very heart-that fond true
womanly heart that knew no jealousy,
no envy.
Her answer was very quiet, very
honest, but her sweet, sensitive lip
quivered.
"No, Mr.. Ermine wasted no special
admiration on me. Why should he,
when you were there? How could he,
anyhow, when there is nothing about
me to attract any mans notice? All the
same," and the old, sweet content
thrilled through her tones, 81 am very
well satisfied. You shall make the grand
match one of these days, and mamma
and will live alone and keep each other
company"
Mabel sneered.
"It's very little comfort you'll get
under such an arrangement. Mamma