Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-10-08

via 0IANRlnGs
i can't make up this handsome
dress myself, soliloquized Mrs. Fal-
coner, as she examined her treasure
next day 81 am sure that Edward
would rather pay the dressmaker's
bill than have me spoil it, So she
forthwith took it to a fashionable
modiste and was fitted.
When she reached home she found
a letter from her mother in New
York, saying that she would be with
them by the following Tuesday, and
Immediately set about preparing a
room for her reception.
Dear me-" she said, 81 must have
some new muslin curtains; / should
be ashamed for mamma to see these,
al darned as they are. Edward
must be an angel again, and give me
some"
Sweetest, dearest, and best of
men ~ she said to him at dinner, 81
am in a worse fix than was the
Prince Graciosa /; won't you be Per-
cinet, and come to my assistance ?r
"What is it you want now 2" ask
ed Falconer, beginning to get ner-
vous.
ooh, love, my muslin curtains are
SO ragged as to disgrace the house,
and mamma is coming to visit me
next week; she is always so particu-
lar about appearances, and I want to
get some fresh ones to put up in her
ROOM"
els it absolutely necessary to have
muslin curtains, Lou ? Wouldn't
dimity do just as well ? I'm sure
you must have spare set.o
"Oh, but mamma is so accustomed
to muslin curtains, and / know she
won't feel at home with any other
kind. There now, be a good darling
and let me get them.''
81 hate to refuse you, Lou, but"
"Oh, you've turned into a mon
ster again, you Charon l mayn't
even welcome my own mother, and
make her comfortable in our home"
"You can welcome your mother
and make her very comfortable with
out the aid of muslin curtains, said
Falconer, decidedly.
"Savage!" cried Lou, beginning
to pout.
"This is unreasonable and child
ish !" exclaimed her husband, impa-
tiently pushing back his chair. He
had some perplexing business on his
mind and was in no mood for trif-
ling. But Lou burst into tears.
"Hang it all !" cried Edward, and
taking his hat he left the house. He
had not gone ten steps, however, be-
fore his resolution failed him, and
hurrying to the nearest bank, he
hastily drew a check and returned
home with the money. He found
his wife in her own room, with their
little Eddie on her lap, the traces of
tears were fresh on her face, and she
was singing to the baby in a low
tone.
"Forgive me my precious, for hay
ing been so Grabbed just now" plea
ded Falconer in penitent tone, as
he bent over and kissed her, at the
same time placing the money in her
hand. "Will that be sufficient for
what you want ?"
more than sufficientl' she ex-
claimed delightedly, separating the
roll of bank notes. "I'll take what IS
left over, and get you perfect duck
of a dresSing-gown and materials to
work the loveliest pair of slippers
you ever saw"
Falconer began to protest that he
stood in need of neither dressing
gown nor slippers, but reproachful
glance from LOUIS blue eyes arrested
his words. mot when / am going
to make them with my own little
fingers ?" she said, and Edward was
subdued instanter.
The following week LOUIS mother,
Mrs. Townsend, arrived, and was
affectionately welcomed by her
daughter and son-in-law. She was
a thoroughly sensible, reasonable
woman, with deal of penetration,
that seemed to divine things at a