The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-01-01
THE NEW YEARS PARTY.

"Then you won't go, Alice 2"
"No, Herbert-I'm so sorry-but the
baby!"
go, hang the baby p and Herbert
flung on; of the room, slamming the
door behind him.
Alicce stood looking at the door,
growing whittier and whittier. Then she
gave heart-breaking cry, fell on her
knees by the cradle, and hiding her face
in her hands, sobbed bitterly.
She had looked forward so long to
going to this New Years party. 1t was
given by Mrs. Mountjoy, one of the
leaders of society in Washington and all
that was eminent in politics, diplomacy or
literature, as well as distinguished in the
fashionable world, are sure to be there.
She had been kept at home SO much,
since baby had been born, that she real
ly felt the need OF little variety and
relaxation. But baby had been threat
ened with Group week before, and the
fond mother had not yet recovered from
her fright. Baby, she admitted, was now
better, "but not fit," she declared, "to
be left, at least with only the nurse to
look after it. Nurses are so careless,
everybody had told her, even the best
ofthem." So she had felt it her duty
to giveup the party. She had not asked
Herbert to give it up also, and had even
said there was no reason he should stay
At home ; but still, in her heart Of hearts,
she hoped he would.
"He said, Hang the baby; yes, he
did, darling" she murmured. with in
dignant emphasis, as she bent over the
little unconscious sleeper. "Itwas your
papa who said that, and he has gone to
a brilliant party with such thoughts of
his wife and child Did you come,
dearest, to estrange us from each other ?"
This awful idea called for bitterer
sighs.
Herbert had said such beautiful things
in her trusting, young maidenhood.-
"Never should their lives run in separate
channels as those of some married peo.
pie Of their acquaintance did"-''never
a joy be accepted that did not make
them one." And now to feel that this wee
babe, with its golden curls, this beauti-
full, little helpless creature should part
them, as never strong hands could !
She pictured the gay assemblage, and
her Herbert dancing with fair, young
girls, smiling on others, and leaving her
to die Of heart t-break.
Her imagination, always too vivid,
viewed him in the midst of his triumphs,
until her misery took almost the form
of madness.
"He didn't want me to CO." she
cried che. acted as il he didn't and
then he pretended to throw all the blame
on dear, helpless baby"
Suddenly she heard the sound of car
riage wheels outside /; they stopped at
the door; the bell rung and fairy
like figure stood on the threshold Of the
room, in all the wistfulness of expect
ancy, with dimpling smiles and laugh
ing eyes.
40, Mabel !" cried Alice, starting to
her feet, with glad cry. "This is, in
deed, a surprise. I'm so glad you've
come, my darling sister,"
Forthwith ensued scene Of rapturous
welcome. Then the baby was exhibi-
ted, and one would not have dreamed
that a tear had ever stained the cheek of
the proud mother. Then the visitors
trunks were ordered 10 be carried up
stairs.
"But where's HERBERT In the study"
said Mabel, at last.
All the light went out Of her sisters
eyes; her hands fell.
"He-he is out, dear"