The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-03-10

aged to be just in time. If could only
have convicted him of being just too late
for once, I should have something to fall
back upon in our arguments, but as it was,
| had nothing to take hold of
| Things had gone Oh in this way for two
or three me- nths. did not suppose that
Charley cared, or, indeed, saw how fret
ted about it. tried hard to hide my''irrita-
ton, for really loved him, and did not
wish to annoy, still less to ALLEVIATE him, but
I suppose that my efforts were in vain.
we were going in the evening, and said:
:'Now, Charley dear, won't you be ready
| in time, just for once? You do make me
waste SO much time waiting for YOU"
Charlie laughed as usual, and was going
to make one of his careless retorts, but he
stopped suddenly.
eve have been married four months,
haven't we, Leila?" he said.
"Four months to-day I said promptly.
1T was the 8th of August, and this is the
8th of December"
"And in all that time you have not been
able to cure me Of my dreadful fault?
Poor little grill Your hair will be grey in a
year lat this rate. I'm going to try the effect
of turning over new leaf, and see how
we both like it."
did not know exactly what he meant
then, but I began to understand when he
went into his dressing room the moment he
suggested it. He came out fully equipped,
even to his gloves, before I had half finish
ed dressing.
NO hurry, Leila" he said, looking in as
ne passed. I only wanted to let you know
I am ready whenever YOU are
OF course I had to hurry after that, but,
as I always hurried anyhow, it did not
make verv much difference. Charley said
nothing except, 'The carriage is at the
door" when I came do *n. Of course, aft
er all the fuss had made, I could not say
that it was too early to go, though I knew
very we'll that it was, and was quaking in
wardly all the way.
"Don't you think it would be pleasant to
drive around by Washington Square?" I
said in desperation.
Washington Square!" exclaimed Charlie.
care you mad, Leila? Why not by Phil
adelphia at once? Washington Square is
miles out of our way
AS if that was not just my object!
could not explain myself, however, SO I
kept still, and we drove to our destination,
by the shortest route. Of course the house
was dark when we reached it, the hostess
entirely unprepared to receive us, and the
waiter who let us in equally surprised and
contemptuous at our untimely arrival. OF
course we had the pleasure Of spending a
solitary hour, I in the ladies' dressing room,
room before we dared descend. Even then
we were among the earliest guests.
Il begin to feel the reward Of virtue al
ready" sighed Charley, as We descended
the stairs. 'How nice it is to be early!
The carriage was ordered for one, and I'll
be sure to be ready"
He was--and I was not. I had met an
old friend, and We were in the middle of a
! most interesting conversation. She was
only in New York en- PEASANT, and could
not see her again. It was very provoking
to be obliged to break off in the middle Of
our talk; but how could I tell Charley that I
was not ready, when he stood waiting with
that air of conscious virtue? It was beyond
my powers, and, absurd as it was, had to
say good-by to Annie and go.
[ had not supposed at first that Charley's
reformation was permanent, but as the days
went on, was forced to confess that it
looked very much as if it were. Promptly
as the clock struck six in the evening, he
entered the house; promptly as itstruck nine
could detain him an instant beyond his
time.
"No, Leila, my DEAR" was his invaraible
reply, II have already wasted too much of
life by my unpunc,uality. You have con-
victed me of my error. Why strive now to
undo the good which you have done?"
OF course such sentiments ought to have
delighted my heart, and they did, in q
measure. Only in measure, however,
must confess, for began to think that we
should be- known everywhere as ''the early
birds" It was never necessary to urge
Charley to get ready for anything We
were always the first in church; we were
waiting at the doors of operas and theatres
long before they were open; at parties or re-
captions it was our invariable custom to
spend from half an hour to an hour in the
dressing room, in order to descend with the
earliest guests. And Charley was continu-
ally expatiating on the sweet reward of
virtue, and thanking me for teaching him
the beauty Of punctuality. spent myself
in vain wonderings as to how long this
state Of things was to last; but of course it
came to climax finally.
NV oldest and most intimate friend, Tina
Verringer, was to be married, and Charley
and had vowed in the most solemn man
ner to attend the wedding. Tina lived at
Montclair, and it was there, Of course, that
the ceremony was to take place.
Do you think that nine o'clock will be
early enough to leave here?" asked Charley,
meekly.
"Nine o'clock! My dear Charley, she is
not to be married until one, and NIontclair
is only an hour away"
II know" said Charley, "but was
anxious to be in time. think that we had
better start at nine, to make sure"
swallowed my establishment as I best
could, and submitted. It was not pleas
ant day. If I were not afraid of exaggerat-
sho@a say Se that ood and
and chilly, with that chilliness which goes
straight through to your bones. Already a
few stray snow flakes were futtering down.