Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-30
" wIFES NEW FRIEND


The Cause OF Ahen0ftOAs
Mrs. Jones has quite q habit OF cultlvating
sudden friendships, which have every appear
ance Of blooming eternally, but which soon
wither In the worlds cold blasts. used to
think this characteristic was conflned to school
girls, who swear Immortal fidelity In letters
crossed and recrossed, but forget each other as
soon as they have caught lover.
MY wife's last acquisition, In the way OF a
bosom friend, is Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray, with
whom she became acquainted last summer,
while we were boarding out Of town.
Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray had her carriage
with her and created quite a sensation; in fact,
every lady In the house was eager to become
ner conndent; but the am1able department OF
teiiectual Observation-Disclosures rendered her the
favorite; and she 1t was who daily occupied the
spare seat In the coach. and had the honor OF
peTplexities under which women suffer.
We returned to the city after the MoWbrays.
but my wife, although usually very nrm on
questions OF etiquette, waived her privileges
on this occasion, and made the first call. she
was graciously received and came home In high
spirits.
All that evening she could do nothing but
elegant establishment" she said. ga footmsn
with manners like prince waited at the door
The drawing.room was the perfection OF luxury
cap. and altogether looked so ladyiike. Her
manners were. indeed, most ar15tocratic, just
what one would suppose those or a countess
to be-"
In few days Mrs. Mowbray returned my
wife's call, coming in shining new carriage,
and with new span OF horses. Her eQMpage
created quite sensation In our street.
Mrs. Jones soon after this began to act as IL
breeding over some design. which. not being
quite matured, she deemed It wise to be si,enT
respecting. AT last. however. the mighty
II was thinking, JONES'" she said, one night,
lust as was composing myself to sleep on my
pillow, that we ought to give party. Not a
regular ball. indeed, but aselect entertainment,
where few coDgenial minds may be brought
together. i should so IKE to introduce my dear
Mrs Mowbray to some Of the choicest of our
SET"
Now detest parties, small or large, but as
the delicacy o; my wife's nerves does not allow
Of her being thwarted, made no objection to
the proposal though sighed to myself fn ,nov
BEST
"Wen ask about thirty" continued my wife,
warming with the subject. There's Wharton,
the three Misses Trelawnes," and the dear
creature ran on uHtil she had mentioned about
forty names, and saw that her ''select party
OF congeniai souls" was going to be, after all,
"You have forgotten the two Misses HOWELL
said at last when my wife had stopped for
want of breath.
The two Misses Howell were amiable, intelli-
gent and pretty girls, In whom took partlcu-
lar interest, because their father had once been
become reduced and died bankrupt, the sisters
were compelled to earn livelihood by stand
Ing In store. They had numerous rich rela.
lions on whom they might have Diileted them
ence, they preferred to work for their
maintenance, instead OF eating the bread OF
charity. had long nourished a romantic idea
quently made it point always to invite them
to our parties-to praise them highly to the
young gentlemen there, and In every other
indirect way to assist in realizing my pet
My wife, heretofore. had seconded me in my
benevolent plan; but on the present occasion
she hesitated to reply, and knew at once there
was sonnet hing the matter.
'.Ahem!n she said at last. clearing her throat,
"Ahem! The Misses Howell are very nice girls,
to be sure-that Is, In their place-but as it IS
to be select party. and as have already men
toned rather too many, and as Mrs MoWbray
may not want to meet all sorts OF people, and
az"
'stop, my DEAR" says 1, with sigh, for 1
saw that my favorites were not to be invited
you have given reasons enough. 1t Is great
pity though" And sighed again-a sigh elo-
quent of passive resignation.
heat was touched. She paused a moment in
embarrassment, and perhaps even revolved
the Idea OF yielding to my wishes, but, In the
end she raised herself on her elbow, and said:
''Mr. Jones. do listen to reason. You don't
know how foolish you make yourself about
those Howell girls. They've been unfortunate,
to be sure; and they're very passable indeed;
girls who stand In stores; and who knows but
what Mis- MowDray would take offence at my
inviting such persons to meet her? shouldn't
6e to ao IL Ss %n s asking her
ticular ard so excessively high b, ed"
'Then ! don't. think she'd regard you the
less, my DEAR" ventured to say, ''for being
Patty and Lizzie HOWELL
Mr.. Jones, don't be child, /" replied my wife,
Ringing herself to the other eide OF the bed.
"AJ your age you should know something of
the world. Exclusive people, like Mrs. Now
bury, don't care to meet nobodies. She was
very cnoice, as you say, as to whom she adj
mitted to her acquaintance, this summer;
may say, indeed. tnat l am the only one of all
she net whom she recognizes now"
TO have protracted the conversation would
nave excited my Wife'5 nerves and deprived her
and couTted slumber anew. l have no recol-
lection OF anything after that till l woke next
morning. and leaving Mrs. Jones abed as usual.
went down to see that the fires were right. and
to DO the marketI G while the breakfast was
being prepared.
Thefnvitations to the party were issued that
week; Mrs Mortimer I MoWoray graciousy
evening arrived, my wife was all nerves. At
every ring OF the bell the color rose to her face
with expectation; but guest after guest entered
vousness soon began to change to anxiety, and
this, as the hours wore on, to disappointment
and d1smay. She delayed the supper for q full
hour, thinking that her new friend might vet
arrive. but In vain.
What can be the matter wonder?" She
said to me, as soon as We were alone. 81 hope
the dear babe is WELL Perhaps, however, Mrs.
Mowbray Is herself sick. Dear me! I am afraid
shall not sleep for anxiety. The first thing
I'll do tomorrow, will be to call on Mrs. Now
pray. and see what Is the ma tier
W0uldnt that De against etiquette?" ven
tured to ask. sit seems to me that Mrs Now
pray should send you note, or message or
something OF that sort, at least to apologize for
her absence"
Mrs. Jones did not reply In words. but she
gave noe look; and such q look! 1t Expressed
all the Indignation which her outraged bosom
felt, at having the slightest suspicion cast uoon
her friend. When ! came home to dinner that
day, saw, at a glance, that something had oc-
CURED to ruf1le my wife'5 nerves. She had
nothing whatever to say to me, but she scolded
the servants and children, tncessantiy, /
was too Wise to inquire what was wrong
knew that Mrs. Jones, IL she thought rrOper.
would tell me; and, II not. that Idle questions
would only aggravate her secret troubles. But
the next day, having heard something that
cast Light on Mrs. MOWbray,s absence from our
party, could not contain myself, when came
home.
ibid you ever hear, my love, said, as be-
gan TO carve the turkey, at dinner, that the
Misses Howell had married sister,
MIS- Jones looked up, as IL she suspected
meant more than said, and then answered la.
cOnlcally.
II heard 1t casually, but never asked further. y
III seems continued, that Mrs. Mortimer
MoWpray is that sister,"
corae