The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-06-18

explain that it was in his desiring to help
me select my hats and coats and boots,
it wasn't necessary to enter into these
little details, but she understood that a
natural gratitude on my part led me to
send her in return few little tribes, like
bouquets, or new books, or music, or
opera tickets, once in a while. So she
knew the declaration of mine that day
at the store, that l would be happy to
serve her, came straight from my
heart.
You are so good and kind" she
said. Then all at once an eager wistful-
ness leaped into her eyes. 81 wish l
could dare ask you to do me favor,
Mr.. Smith-a very great favor" she
said.
"Do," 1 replied. 81 won't abuse
your generosity"
ooh! 1 wonder if it will be rightP"
she said, clasping her little gloved
hands, and looking up in my face with
charming air of indecision. 81 Won
der if ought to do such a thingP"
"The fact that you desire to do it is
proof that it is blameless," replied.
81 do desire it, ever so much" she
said, "end it is perfectly blameless. I've
set my heart on giving my husband a
present upon our marriage anniversary. ("
els that all, Mrs. RobinsonP"
"All!' she replied tapping her foot
with her parasol, with an air of vexa-
ton. She was looking upon the floor
now, and warm color burned in her
cheek. &c 1t is SO hard to explain to
you,'' she said. 81 don't like to borrow
money of mamma, because she don't
understand my husband, and makes SO
many unpleasant remarks, and it's quite
large sum want for the present I'm
afraid it will cost ten dollars" Here
she hesitated, and her color grew more
vivid.
"Ten dollars isn't very large sum-"
l said. 1 had decided now that she
wanted to ask me to lend her the money,
but didn't know how to go about it, and
was at loss how to help her. had
two crisp five-dollar bills in my vest
pocket, but how to get them into her
hand was problem. In the meanwhile
time was flying, and Robinson would be
back.
" You understand my husband, Mr..
Smith. You know how kind and
good he is to me. He has told me how
he contides in you. You must know he
is the dearest, best of husbands"
"Of course do, Mrs. Robinson. We
are like brothers," l said, with intense
friendly fervor.
al hate even to deceive him for mo-
ment, Mr.. Smith. Of course 1 shall tell
him afterward; but want to surprise
him. wouldn't care to give him any
thing if it wasn't SURPRISE"
"Of course you wouldn't, Mrs. Robin
son. Any other way would be so hum
drum and commonplace. l know Just
now you feel about it.'
"And my husband is SO thoughtful,
he is so anxious to relieve me of every
care, that he knows just where every
penny goes; and, oh dear, it's too bad!"
Big tears gathered in her beautiful
eyes; it was too much for me.
81 understand it all, Mrs. Robinson"
| blurted out. 'Don't fret over such a
trife as this" and 1 thrust the two FIVE
dollar bills in her hand.
She was on her feet in an instant.
White now to her lips, and an awful ex-
preston in her eyes, of reproach, rage,
regret, Heaven knows what and all.
The five-dollar bills had dropped on the
floor.
Woodworking, SIR" she said. "I
have been mistaken in you. Please tell
my husband could not wait for him."
She was a little woman, but she
seemed about ten feet high as she swept
out of our department. Fortunately
some foreign cases had effectually
screened us from observation. 1t was
some time before 1 could pick up the
bills. ] felt stunned, bewildered, and
exceedingly Inundated and miserable.
L had made an ass of myself in some
way, and innocently outraged the feel
ingS of this excellent little woman whom
| was most DESTROYS to serve.
When Robinson came back he thought
it so strange that his wife hadn't waited
for him. He wanted to know when she
came, how long she staid; whether she
sat down or stood up, or said she'd come
in again, and if so, when. At last was
desperate, and went out into the street.
Before | knew what | was about I was
up town, and ringing the bell of the
broWn-stone house that Robinson hired.
The servant he had selected came to the
door, and showed me into the parlor he
had furnished. His wife came right
down to me, and the moment she en-
tered the parlor saw that her good
sense and kind heart had gained their
own again.
"Not another word, Mr.. Smith," she
said, when l began pouring out apollo
gieS and explanations. 81 was myself
to blame for it all. wanted you to sell
something of mine for me, and with the
money help me to get the present at
cost. There, now, that's the whole of
it. If had only told you at once, in
stead of beating about the bush in that
way! But I've given up that idea, be-
cause he'd be sure to know if parted
with anything, he's so interested; he'd
know if silver thimble was gone. But
I've hit upon another plan, and I'll tell
you all about it, if you'd like to hear"
"Of course I'd like to hear" ex-
claimed. You are an adorable little
woman to forgive that stupid blunder of
mine. l was so miserable to have Of
Tended you; and your husband" add
ed, for l thought noticed growing
rigidity in her manner from the word
"adorable," "we are like brothers, you
know, Mrs. RObinsOn-t2Di9a brothers -,