Litchfield enquirer., 1880-12-02
MRS. cABOT,s GUEST.
From Harper's Magazine.


ing home after years wandering in Europe
HIS feet stumbled little as bis eyes followed
carriage, burdened with trunks, which was
threading its way amongst the drays and
teams. Presently veil fiuttered from the
window q head nodded to him, and hand
waved deprecatory good bye, as if the dan
gers into which the incautious young man was
marching were easily apparent from within
the coach. He drew back from the jaws of a
nervous horse, the carriage slipped from his
sight, and he made his way now with better
attention to his steps. . r.
1t was just at dusk of an October evening,
the pleasantest time in the world to arrive
home after an ocean passage. The city had a
picturesque look in the cool light. and every
house which threw out gas or fire light from
its Windows seemed to offer It WELCOME. A
warm welcome this young man was sure to
find at his mothers, where ne was expected.
and the door at the head of the stone steps
stood open wide as he sprang lightly up. The
promising, in the shadow. between dignity
and affection, went over bodily to affection
when her SOD once was inside the doorway,
and hustled with him into the library, with
her cap cooked jauntily on one side, where
his last embrace had left it.
swell, this is jolly" said the young man.
keeping off the fire with his hands while he
surveyed the lady. "1loIber, I'd rather see
you than the Jungfrau. Your cap just now
makes me think of that girl. suppose after
dinner we are to sit before this fire, and am
to tell you oil about it T" 5Asst
"Yes; | have already sacrificed society to
this evening Just before you came In
burned an invitation for this evening"
'Bless you. mother, I've not forgotten how
dearly you love parties, and how cordially l
| hated them YOu a Devoted mother ~ .F 70
''Oh, but you will have to make, the party
call with me, Edward. You have had your
year abroad and you must 60 into society,
and | shall be so proud to introduce my great
boy. Besides, Mrs. Cabot is such q charming
hostess" 81"
Eyes; you,remenber I wrote you that
met her at Saratoga" s~<a1f
mot Mrs. Cabot, of Harlem ?"
'Yes, the very same. What good MEM
DRY you have, Edward Travel has improved
you. You used to laugh at your old mothers
sudden friendships, and profess to forget the
names as soon as you had heard theu.."
"Mfs, George Cabot, of Harlem 2"
eyes, Mrs. George Cabot. Why not%
"Why not? Certainly there's no reason in
| the world. Well begin with her. Well
march into Societv's figured trap this even
ing"
''Oh no. Edward. l declined. positively
declined, on account of previous engagement
(my engagement with you, you see-this en-
gagement) + never dreamed you would he
willing to 60" -
But you see, mother, Europe has done
what you asked her. to-made a man of the
world ofme Well get out my dress-coat,
and Mrs. Cabot will enjoy your coming all the
more that. like the son in the parable, you
said, go not, and went" ePT,fGE EE
"But can't Edward haven't anything
to wear-and my hair, too. Oh, it's impos
sible, just impossible. Besides, l have a
dreadful headache"
"My poor mother! And you meant to sit
here and listen to my dull stories all the eve
shall go TO bed. will 60, and give you one
evening Of peace before / begin ny winters
| torment"
Mrs. WinslOw looked at her son in amaze
ment Europe had indeed transformed him.
In what city or village of the Old World had
he cast off his old suit of basnfulness and in
difference to society? The young man smiled
a good natured response to her establishment.
and went to hunt out his. dress coat. Per-
haps, too. there was something ofdisappoint-
ment in her look.
Mrs. CADET had expended less regret on
Mrs. Winslews apologize note than that lady
IL.
Mrs. Winslow, but her chief need was young
men. 1t was not So difficult to get very
charming widows (she was one herself), and
| they were often essential as chaperons; but
young men she would have subscribed
literally to a society for the encouragement of
young men to enter society. Her invitations
had, like many sent from the suburbs, brought
back very irregular responses, and no inatle
NAUTICAL law Of chances had ever enabled her
to forecast the size or character of her frequent
parties. This evening she stood in the dimly
! lighted drawing. room. before it was quite
| time to expect her guests, giving few final
touches, and specializing afresh upon the con-
! tingencies of her company She heard AGAR
rage in the street, aud detected hesitation
in its movement, as if it were hunting i'll the
dark for something. One objectiensto living
in the suburbs was that people might come
very early, and so she had always made a
| point of being well beforehand herself She
stepped now to the window to see if she could
make out anything. The carriage had STOP
ped before her house, and the driver was dis
mounting He ran up the steps and back
again, having made ffut. apparently, the num-
Der on the door. Two large trunks decorated
the rear of the carriage. None of her guests
could be coming with such elaborate prepare
lions for simple evening party and as the
driver opened the door of the carriage, and a
lady descended and began to climb the stone
steps, Mrs. Cabot herself went to the door,
| opening it before the new conner could ring
The light fell oa the pretty face and trim fig
ure OF girl in gray travelling dress, who
came forward aud asked for Mrs. White.
"You have made some mistake" said
Mrs. Cabot. MRS. White does not live
here. Mrs. White lives few doors above
here" -
''Oh, beg your pardon. The driver read
the number 10, and that was the number
was looking fer .t.3f,f = :
This is 10. I believe Mrs. Whites is
let me see, one, two, tbree-it must be ST.
but is that where Mrs. Cabot lives p
mo; this is Mrs. Cabors. I am Mrs.
Cabot" pe es1 rests
/ ut is certainly very strange. ] have al.
/ ways sent my letters to Mrs. White, in care of
Mrs. Cabot. 10 Fayette Street, S3sg9sF X
This is 10 Fayette Street, and am Mrs.
Cabot. How extraordinary! Stop. Do
you know what Mrs. Whites first name is z"
| ''She Is my aunt Mary" @a b
| r is 1T possiblei Yes, it must be- Excuse.
my surprise. Your aunt Mary has lived with
me for some time; but ] had entirely over
looked her last name, and thought-yes, re-
membership is Mary White Is your aunt ex-
pectlng you!" a..... $500 =. :
The girls voice trembied. * elsI a.stx
Not 81 Soou.' uau WFitten uof tiat
/ sholud come, but not by this steamer.
| What, are you just from England ~.
Eyes, Mrs. Cabot. .as.- 9af @ss
| swell, / will speak to Mary 7, f*'
| 'Wait, please, Mrs. Cabot. I am sure
there must be some mistake from your man.
ner. Let me 60 away again :" and she turned
with sudden resolution. The driver was
standing by his carriage, and waiting the two
ladies curiously. The girl caught sight of his
face, and turned back. "Oh, can't 90. /
have no place to 60 to- .s,s...I $50
= "Yon need not go. Here, driver, bring up
the trunks, if you please;" and presently the
luggage wassdeposited in the hall, and the
door was closed CHOW come into the parlor.
and tell me exactly how itssis" said Mrs.
Cabot. First, what is your name p. The
question was not unkind in its tone. 1t had
something of the re-assuring ease of its po-
] sition in the catechism =. - -