Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-01-02
THE NEW YEARS PARTY.
Won WON'T nn. Alinn pn

Il
babyp'
40, hang the babyr' and Herbert
flung 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, holding her face in
her hands, sobbed bitterly.
She had looked forward so long tc
going to this New Years party. 1t was
given by Mrs. Mountjoy, one of the
leaders of society in Washington, and
all that was eminent in politics, diplo.
macy, or literature, as well as distin.
guished in the fashionable world, was
sure to be there. She had been kept al
home so much since baby had been
born that she really felt the need of O
little variety and relaxation. But baby
had been threatened with Group O week
before, and the fond mother had not
yet recovered from her fright. Baby,
she admitted was now better, "but not
fit" she declared, "to be left, at least
with only the nurse to look after it.
Nurses are so careless. every body had
told her, even the best of them.' So
she had not asked Herbert to give it up
also, and had even said there was no
reason he should stay at home; but still,
in her heart of hearts, she had hoped
he would.
"He said, Hang the baby;' yes, he
did, darling" she murmured, with in
dignant emphasis, as she bent over the
little unconscious sleeper. eft was
your papa who said that, and he has
gone to brilliant party with such
thoughts of his wife and child! Did
you come, dearest, to estrange us from
each otherpn
This awful idea called for bitterer
sighs.
Herbert had said such beautiful
things in her trusting young maiden
hood. Never should their lives run
in separate channels, as those of some
married people of their acquaintance
did-never a joy be accepted that
did not make them one-never bar
rier should come between them" And
now to feel that this wee babe, with its
golden curls, that this beautiful, little
helpless creature should part them as
never strong hands couldl
She pictured the gay assemblage, and
her Herbert dancing with fair young
girls, smiling on others and leaving her
to die of heart break.
Her imagination, always too vivid,
viewed him 9n the midst of his tri-
umphs, until her misery took almost
the form of madness.
He didn't want me to ge," she
cried; "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 at
the door; the bell rung, and fairy-like
figure stood on the threshold of the
room in all wistfulness of expectancy,
with dimpled smiles and laughing eyes.
so, Mabelp' cried Alice, starting to
her feet with glad cry. This is, in
deed, a surprise. Pm so glad you've
come. My darling sisterpS
Forthwith ensued scene of rapturous
welcome. Then the baby was exhib-
tied, and one would not have dreamed
that tear had ever stained the cheek
OF the proud mother. Then the visit
or's trunks were ordered to be carried
upstairs.
"But where's HerbertP In the studyP"
said Mabel, at last.
All the light went out of her sisters
eyes; her hands fell.
"He-he is out, dear"
"Good! Don't be angry, because
Pm glad, for we can have such a nice
little chat. You didn't expect meP"
"Of course didn't"
"Well, didn't think of coming, as
you know, for month yet. But
thought it would open the New Year
auspiciously, perhaps"
80, I'm so glad''
And then Paul's coming" she
said, blushing, "next week to stay
month; he has business here, and he
wanted me so badly to be here, too. |
declare" she added, laughing; "PU
have to marry him soon to get rid of
him."
40, Mabel, don't marry him unless
you're certain you'll be happyr' cried
Alice, Historically. BE sure, first,
he won't go to parties and le-eave
you alone with baby" she sobbed.
WhatP Is Herbert at partyP"
g Yes, he is; and, when / told him |
couldn't go on account of the baby, he
said, Hang ba-byp Yes, you little
angel, your father said those awful
words-and then he sla-slammed the
door"
"He's a viperW exclaimed Mabel
with sudden vehemence. ga nice wav
TO treat wife like you-a baby like
that! But why couldn't you leave the
babyP"
because he was threatened with
the Group last week."
But he's well enough now-sleeps
dellciously. He'll not wake up all
night. perhaps. And the nurse would
have taken good care of him."
% l should have been thinking of fire
and Group. and all that"
80, nonsense! You ought TO have
gone. But Herbert had no right TO be-
have as he did, and he must be pun
ished; and Mabel threw her wraps on
the bed, and took her seat by the glow
ing lire. "It won't do TO let him get
the upper hand. All! have it. I've
thought OF a splendid plan. A charm
ing, delightful little plotr' and she
clapped her hands in glee.
80, Mabel, what is itp'' said Alice,
sliding down at her sisters feet, gazing
in her face with expectant smiles
"What are you going TO doP"
I'm not going 10 do 1t. shall stay
bere and watch baby. You are TO 90 TO
the partyr'
mabel, impossible"
"Quite possible. In fact, it must