The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-04-18

fault, IL was that che evidently knew her own
value so we'll; she might have been q Dukes
daughter instead of brewers, though. In
! deed, believe Vyner and many of his bus-
ness think q brewer or a banker nowadays O
, greater grandee than any nobleman.
/ am glad to say the party Itself, nOtwtth-
standing our misgtvings, went off without
any particular hitch. In fact, 1t seemed very
like thousands of similar affairs given by
people OF the middle classes who know no
better. There were the same stiffness and
reserve at the first, since In such a miseel-
laneous gathering very few OF the guests
were acquainted with each other; the
same gradual thawing as we got up q little
dance (which, with hypocrisy that deceived
nobody, we pretended to extemporizal; the
; same intense heat In the rooms, the same
J iamming Id the doorways. the same forlorn
groups In the corners groups that looked as
II they ought to be enjoying themselves and
were not.
And, when the novelty OF the position wore
off, did not find 1t very difficult to play the
part OF host SO l tried to say pleasant
word to any guest that seemed dull, ar
derry people, and, In fact, worked hard gen.
orally at amusing everybody. Ny wife, how
ever. as the hours went on without mishap,
grew prouder and prouder of her hired gran
deur, and indeed. like .old Wellers shepherd,
''swelled wisibly" In magnificence of deport-
ment and manner. In my hearing alone she
told six different persons that "there were
forty-fivs invited: but unfortunately 30 many
| were engaged"
II think you ought rather to say fortunate
ly." replied that dlsagreeable Mrs. vyner, as
my wife made this remark to her. my dear
| Mrs. Miller, how could you get any more
people into these rooms? And a crowd is so
very unpleasant" she added, flaming herself
| vigorously.
When took Mrs. vyner In to supper, she
| said blandly, II did not know, Mr.. Miller
that you kept a footman," looking hard at
one OF the tlphOlsterer's muteS,
| why, he Is like Vyner's small ale-for
very occasional use only" | replied, deter
mined che should not have all the sarcasm to
herself, and knowing she hated any reference
to her husbands business.
1 She took her revenge however, on my wife
by saying to her soon afterward across the
table: "How very nice these whips are Mrs.
Miller ! must gel. you to give me the re-
oeipt." or course, the odious woman knew
very we'll that the creams, like everything
| else, were furnished by the upholsterer "who
| did for us; ;" but she succeeded In making my
wife blush and feel very uncomfortable for
| the time.
The dance was kept up with spirit until
or o'clock. and the young people at any
rate, especially my daughters Molly and
Patty. enjoyed this part OF the business most
became rather suky because Fred danced so
much with Miss Vyner: and my wife was
highly indignant at Dick Wotherspoon's
hanging about Patty Indeed, she would
IL
/ had not stopped her; and, as 1t was. Woth-
erspoon evidently guessed her motive In
always disturbing his combinations with
Patty and left early.
In bed, from which we did not rise till noon. |
Even then Patty was tired, and Molly had q |
headache-due to Miss Vyner, suspected. |
/, too. was disgusted with the hypocrltical |
pretenses and bother of the whole thing. My |
wife alone was radiant, and thought the party |
O great success, owing TO her own admirable |
management. She was sure, too, that Kelly, |
on leaving, had thanked her and pressed her |
him. and on this ground she told Molly to |
take courage, and all would come right.
And her exultation was increased by seve-
raj OF our guests who called In the afternoon,
sion. delightful gathering Enjoyed our
selves go much" Quite success"
When Mrs. vyner called, however, she
threw little damp on my wife's ardor. She
pretended to praise-She WAS always more
malicious when she did that.
How very good OF you to take all this trou-
ble-so unexpected, too l. she said. "And how
very well you did manage, considering you
were quite unaceustomed to this sort OF thing
1t must have been most formidable UNDER
taking, I'm sure. And hope. you, Mr. Mil
Ter, were not very much behindhand with
your work 10 consequences"
Generally could give Mrs. Vyner Roland
for her Oliver; but on the present occasion
my conscience sided 80 much with her In her
politely yelled sareasms-I mean, | thought
them so just-that really could only mutter
out some commonplace answer.
I'm afraid you're little tired with your
exertions, Mrs. Miller: indeed. they must
have been immense" continued the merciIess
virago, seeing that was In no mood for re-
ply. But I'm sure 1t was very kind OF you
to try so hard to give US a pleasant evening.
l may tell you a little secret, Just to show you
how much we are indebted to you. All! |
dare say you know what 1t is. Fred Kelly
to Ellen last night, and 1t is all ar
ranged-so kind Of you, I'm sure, to give him
very nice match, don't you, Moly2"
Poor Molly held out till Mrs. Vyner was
gone, when she made rush to her own room,
with a tear Ia each eye, She had scarcely
left us when double knock announced the
poStman.
'Itis from Wotherspoon," said, opening
the letter. "Do you know think our new !
splendors, Jane, made you seem little rude !,
TO him yesterdayW
"Ah, well! II am never rude to any one of
more consequence than Mr.. Wothsrspoon II !.
will be no great matter" she replied, con- /.
But am grieved and vexed : !
beyond measure about this young Kelly. :
Dear mel" said /, as glanced over Wo- !
therspoon's letter; you'll like to hear this, {
think. Jane" Sc. [ read 1t to her.
obliged 70 Isave vitbont calling 1i To- hid - vo Ue
goodbye, but l have just met some friends l
who are going to Italy, and | have decided =
TO accompany them. AS we start tomorrow =.
am In an awful hurry, and shall be away I
ut least two years.
"And very good thing, too" Interrupted L
my wife. "Do you know am quite sure he : :
would have made Patty an offer last night II y y
had not looked so we'll after her that | :
never gave him the chance? | have always !
James, You never would see the !,
iepth of that man. However, we shall be
safe from him for some time, 1t seems" y
"Quite safe," said /.
"Ihere were one or two things that | par
,icularly wished to tell you last night but
n such crowd L had no opportunity,
and"
"There, told you, james, broke In my n
wife again. Zone Of those things. you may II
depend on 1t, was proposal, and I'm glad a
stopped it." b
can right, only do let me finish: t
"'And to tell you the truth. l was little b
lettled (you know l was always too sensi- b