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

81 should think you might, rather,
was the nonchalant reply.
"P.ay, how did you come p
'.Pray, how did you comet 7 rode.
Did You walk ?"
"Well, but"
Excuse me, I'm engaged four deep,
already" and Herbert was forced to
move aside, as pompous acquaintance
claimed her hand.
"Td like to knock that fellow down, Z"
he muttcred, angry, in earnest.
Anotherpause, and another tete-a-iete.
No satisfaction given. Herbert had
hardly the grace to redeem his dancing
engagements.
"About the baby, Alice 2" he asked
anxiously.
She put her rosy lips to his car, and
in 4 subdued voice, exclaimed:
"Hang the baby |"
Herbert started, and changed color.
To be sure he had used the some Ian
guagc But from her it was too exas-
perating. How he got through the
evening he could hardly tell. When,
at last, they were together in the car
riage, driving home, there might have
been an open rupture, but for the de-
tcrmincd calmncss of Alice, who took
everything rs matter Of course.
One glance in the beautiful nursery
unScaled his eyes. There, by the fire,
sat Mabel, in all the abandon of a neglige
toilet, her luxuriant ,resses falling in
glossy freedom over her shoulders, while
the little fellow on her lap, clutching at
one long, shining curl, crowed and
laughed as well rs he could for "auntic's"
smothering kisses.
\ sudden rcvulsion of feeling came to
the fathers heart at sight of this sweet
home-picturc.
"Aha ! know now who contrived
this plot" he said. "But am glad to
see YOU, Mabel, nevertheless.
"Wasn't she the belle Of the ball ?"
answered Mabel, saucily.
"Therc's no doubt OF that. At any
rate, didn't get chance to dance with
her"
"Of course. Who ever heard in So
ciety Of dancing with ones wife p she
said. Sarcastically. al see that she fol-
lowed my directions implicitly. You
must learn sir, that house divided
against itself cannot stand-tha, is, if
onc-half is Writing at party, and the
other half is at home, crying her eyes
out"
go, Alice--wcre you really ?"
81 should think she was. can assure
you, that myself saw half Of the house
dissolved in tears, and so wretched
that"
"Alabel, hush !" said Alice, implor-
ingly.
"rrai;or, do YOU turn on me ?" cx-
claimed Mabel, with mock displeasure.
"My child" she went on, tossing the
Growing cherub, "tell your selfish papa
that he also has Somc obligations, and
that il you had known you were TO be
the bone Of contention in this family,
you'd have staid in the garden of angels,
where you were wanted"
Herbert was strongly affected by this
audacious outburst, but it had the effect
of leading him to see his duty in a new
light. 1t taught him to reflect opened
his eyes to his selishness and made
him, from that evening, better and
more consideratc husband.
Six months from that time, Alice was
dressed for party. But this time the
party was given at her own house, and
in honor of Mabcls marriage. Even
the bride did not look lovelier; for
nothing now ever occurred to mar Alice's
happiness and happiness, after all, is
the best preservative of beauty.
"Ah how charming you look, whis'
pcred Mabel, with an arch look, as they
passed each other. "Prettier even, and
it's saying great deal, than when l
cured your husband by sending You to
that New Years Party"