, 1880-03-15

81 should think you might, rather. !"
was the nonchalaut reply.
PRAY, how did you Gomez"
"Pray, how did you come? Irode.
Did you walk ?"
"Well, but"
Excuse me, I'mAeng.ged four deep,
already" and Herbert was forced to
move aside, as pompous acquaintance
claimed her hand.
I'd like to knock that fellow down. "
he mutterea, angry ir earnest.
Another pause, and another tese-a-
tote. No satisfaction given. Herbert
had hardly the grace to redeem his
dancing engagements.
"About the baby, Alice?" he asked
anxiously.
She put her rosy lips to his ear, and,
in subdued voice, exclaimed:
"Hang the baby !"
Herbert started and changed color.
To be sure, he had used the same Ian
guage. But from her it was too exas-
perating. How he got through the
evening he could hardly tell. When,
at last, they were in the carriage driv-
ing home, there might have been an
open rupture, but for the determined
calmness of Alice, who took everything
as a matter of course.
One glance in the beautiful nursery
unsealed his eyes,. There by the fire
sat Mabel in all the abandonment of o
mcgligc toilet. lu1urlant tresses falling
in glossy freedom over her shoulders,
vuht1a 11kk1n f..l1Axr hn~ In,
clutohing at one long, shining curl.
crowed and laughed as we'll as he could
for "auntie's smothering kisses.
A sudden revulsion of feeling came
to the fathers heart at sight of this
home picture.
"Ah know now who contrived
this plot" he said. but am glad to
see you, Mabel, nevertheless.
Wasn't she the belle of the ball ?"
answered Mabel, saucily.
There's no doubt of that. At any
rate, I didn't get chance to dance
with her"
"Of course. Who ever heard in So
ciety of dancing with ones wife ?" she
said, sarcastically. 81 zee that she fol-
lowed my directions implicitly. You
must learn, sir, that house divided
against itself cannot stand-that is, if
one-half is flirting at party, and the
other half is at home crying her eyes
out"
"Oh, Alice-were you really?
" l should think she was. L can as
sure you that I myself saw half of the
house dissolved in tears and so
wretched that"
"Mabel hush y said Alice. implor-
ingly.
"Traitor, do you turn on me?" ex-
claimed Mabel, with mock displeasure.
"My child" she went on, tossing
the Growing cherub, tell your selfish
papa that he also has some obligations,
and that, if you had known you we're to
be the bone of contention in this fami-
ly, you'd have stayed in the garden of
angels, where you were wanted"
Herbert was strongly affected by this
audacious outburst, but it had the ef-
feet OF leading him to see his duty in a
new light. It taught him to reflect;
opened his eyes to his selfshness; and
made him, from that evening, better
and more considerate husband.
Six months from that time Alice was
dressed for party. But this time the
party was given at her own home, and
in honor of Mabels marriage. Even
the bride did not look any lovslier; for
nothing now ever occurred to mar
Alice's happiness, and happiness, after
all, is the best preservation of beauty.
"Ah how charming you look !"
whispered Mabel, with an arch look, as
they passed each other in the dance.
" Prettier even, and it is saying great
deal, than when cured your husband
by sending you to that New Years
Marty