The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-04-24


sshl'ppers also were in my overcoat at
:. sna1 momenD Her front curls were
put up " for the night Gor bangs were
t i, snat time out, and corscrews in) and
b mOHg6 she had a fragrant supper of
81 loled oysters on toast and a glass of
aug aug, on a waiter before her, she did not
appear happy.
now of all Mrs. WIS moods the
ssaaolrical was the one I most abhorred
NY skin is naturally soft, but it would
ssurlup into goose-fesh under such in
-.o'ion, and one glance sufficed to show
lue tne nature of her humor at that
moment.
Why" she cried, "where is She
, sne lovely wait and strayP How did
you manage to tear yourself awayp l
was quite sure that you would so settle
lnalters that she should have share of
our room, and 1 have been looking
around to gauge its capabilities. That
was quite a clever arrangement about
tae street car, and only wonder that,
aiter she got rid of me, she did not sug-
gest carriage. ="
MY dear Maria, the poor child has
perhaps never left home before. Con-
siuer how you would have felt if at her
age
"How would have feltp Do YOU
wish % insult me, Mr.. WithertonP l
supp6ee you are aware by this time that
vow Married a lady who would hardly
be found, at any age, roaming around
the country on snowy nights, appealing
to the protection of any chance man.
"Oh+ my love, how could she tell
that there was snow-storm coming on
And, besides, thousands of women in
this country-indeed, everywhere-are
compelled to travel alone. She did
not appeal to me. 1 offered your pro-
lection"
"Then most positively decline, ~
solemnly said Mrs. W.; and there was
no use contesting the point, as accord
ing to the manner things had arranged
themselves, her completely was not
needed.
did not dare to ring and request
openly that the porter should be notified
to rouse me at seven O'Clock; so, fear
full that Knight oversleep myself, lay
awake the whole night, and counted
the hours as they struck. Not even a
lire broke out to vary the monotony of
my vigil, and once, having given incau-
tlously loud sigh, my wife turned, and
sleepily asked what was the matter.
81 have not closed my eyes," 1 said.
Conscience" she muttered, and was
again asleep before the words had left
her lips.
However, at six slipped out of bed
into the dressing-room, luckily without
observation, and when accoutred, toiled
up the five pair of stairs to my des-
tination, "one of the five hundred, :"
and knocking at the door, was an
swered by pleasant voice, which said,
" Thank you; yes-all ready" In a
few moments her door opened, and she
appeared, bonnneted and shawled, bag
and purse in hand.
"Will you be so kind as to pay my
bill, if you pleaseP" she asked, very
nervously, sand to take out also what
Lowe you for car fareP"
Z" l will bring you up your account,
fod you can then see if it is all right be-
will take some breakfast?'
eyes, l think so''-hesitatingly.
Down the five pair of stairs l walked
again to the Office, and there had Il
brief confidential talk with the sympa-
thetic clerk, giving a slight sketch of
my position at the time.
"You know" said, "that she could
not help herself, for the connection
failed; so 1 persuaded her to come to
this hotel with-with my wife and my
self, although she seemed rather afraid
of mourning too great expense.
Now, do, that's a good fellow,
make her bill as small as you can.
You know I shall remain at this house
for some time, and you can always
make it up-ix it, you know. Any
thing that Mrs. Witherton won't object
tom our bill. You understand"
~ see, see,' he said. CAN right.
Let me see; nights lodging and
breakfast-and hackP"
"Oh, no." cried hastily. "I will
take her in the street-cars. They will
soon be running, supposed"
"Oh, yes. Well, then, nights
lodging and breakfast. Do you
think Che spoke judicially) "that a
dollar and half is too muchp"
"Not at ALL" l answered. "Give
me the bill, and l will take it to her.
He handed it over, and again 1 made
the fve-story ascent, and found her
seated at her door waiting for me.
"Here it is, handing it over. Sc Look
over it, and if you are not satisfied,
can have it altered. They are very
obliging in this house."
| She looked long and uneasily.
"Say whatever you think" | urged.
81 think it is very, very high," she
answered, simply.
"Then give it to me-" and again
I made the descent to the Office, tiptoe-
inc carefully past my wife's door,
although 1 knew the utter impossibility
of her hearing, or, if she heard, detect.
ing, my footstep among the many that
passed.
There, just where 1 left him, stood
the patient, sleepy clerk.
"She thinks it is too much," whis.
pered.
"Too muchp" with raised eyebrows
eyes! Take off that dollar" (still in
q whisper), "and make it fifty cents
All right, you see. Fix it afterward.'
tapped my hand on my rather empty
pocket, and winked.
sob! All! Well" he said. "Tha'
will be all right. Have 1T just as you
please He gave broad dash through