The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-03

pIe1IdS! saw With satisfaction that nv
collar was exactly the same shape as
Sponsors, and Dick confided that he
didn't know which of us looked the
most of swell. To tell the truth, we
were perfectly satisfied with ourselves.
1t seemed odd that Dick should appear
so unconcerned and act in such mat
ter-ot-fact way; but then one must re-
member that it was his own sister, after
all, whom we were to see, and we rather
pltled him for losing so much. We felt
That he missed a great deal; other peo-
pies sisters are always so much nicer
than ones ownl
1t was early evening when we reached
our stopping-place, and we were to have
drive of two or three miles. A man
was waiting with handsome double
sleigh and pair of horses, and Dick took
the reins with an air of delight. Ifelt
little shaky as we neared the house
and as if 1 had left behind something
important, and at last [ settled down
into a horrible dread that | had left all
my new collars in a drawer at college.
L could see that Jack Sponsors thoughts
were with Miss Hallowell, but being
more accustomed to society it evidently
caused him no feeling of embarrass-
ment, and he was probably sure of MAX
ing a good impression. The house
looked imposing, as we drove up the
avenue, and there was q bright light
shining out across the snow from the
parlor windows where the shutters had
not been drawn, and the. big dog
bounced down the steps to meet us as
some one opened the hall door. dick
ushered us in politely, and after leaving
our coats we went into a handsome
library to warm ourselves at bright
wood-fre. Dick beamed with happi-
ness, and told the men to tell Miss Alice
that we had come, asking where she
was.
John said we were to make ourselves
comfortable, and added, "She has a
very bad cold, Miss Alice has,"
Goodness! that's too bad!n said
Dick, and l understood his sorry look,
for he had told me she was delicate
and often had these horrible colds,
which made him uneasy, as there was
consumption in the family. "I'n Just
run upstairs" said he, and John
walked away smiling, after telling us
that supper would be ready in a short
time, and that the gentlemen would find
their rooms ready whenever they chose
to go upstairs. 1t was gratifying to be
called a gentleman, for | had several
older brothers and had never dared
make any pretensions of being any thing
but a boy. Jack took no notice of the
compliment, probably being used to it,
Looking at him as he stood on the RUG
before the fire, had sudden and
great longing to be tall and entirely
self-possessed, and was conscious that
there was some advantage in being a
society man. looked at my hands
which had been much battered by base
balls the summer before, and had suf-
fered recently from crooks and strains
in the gymnasium. Dick soon joined
us, apparently in very happy mood.
His sister had not expected us so soon
and we must therefore wait longer. He
looked so glad to be at home again and
had such twinkle in his eyes!
"What swell you are, Hallowell!"
said Jack, admiringly. "This is stun
ming house. Why didn'tyo you ever put on
airsP Jackson's house won't hold a
candle to this, and he is always bragg
ging, and forever Juggling in something
about the billiard ROOM
awe have first-rate table upstairs"
said Dick meekly; "we'n have a game
after supper. Glad you like the look of
things. 1 hope you'll have decent sort
of time, I'm sure, but wish father were
at home. It's pleasanter here in sum-
mer of course; and then the place has
gone back every way, having been shut
up so long. Well have no end of fun
if you'll come down in summer some
time"
Just now we heard footstep on the
stairs, and our hearts beat quicker in
anticipation of the lovely vision. Dick
jumped up and rushed out into the hall,
and we heard loud kiss and they both
laughed and talked minute, and then
Hallowell and the young lady came in.
She was pretty and no doubt about it.
Tall and slender, with dark eyes and
light curly hair and fresh complexion,
and the pleasantest manner which put
us at our ease at once. She evidently
had q terrible cold and could speak only
in a hoarse whisper, and her brother
asked about it, and demonstrated with
her in a fatherly manner for being out
that afternoon in such bitter cold
wind. Supper was ready then, and we
were as jolly and hungry party as
ever sat down together. Miss Halo
well did not talk much, but she was full
of fun; and we told one story after an
other, and made ourselves agreeable,
while she confessed she never had been
hungrier in her life, and she hoped our
appetites would keep hers company
to which task they were not unequal.
She devoted herself especially to
Spenser-it was no shock to me, for 1
had supposed she would all the time
and she looked at him great deal when
be was not looking at her. Of course
Spenser knew it, and his worst enemy
could not have denied that he was
handsome fellow. At last we could eat
no more, in spite of much urging and
fourth supply of fried oysters brought in
smoking hot.
We went up to the billiard room and
tried manfully to go through game,
but the balls were disorderly and we
didn't succeed in Oettincr interested IL