The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-10-15

not endure it. No man had a right to
ask such a sacrifice from his wife. But
she hadn't been asked. She had been
cheated into her present position. She
would leave the house where she had
been and would continue to be unutter-
ably wretched, and go straight back to
her father. Little did he think that the
rich and honorable Hubert Stiekney
would heap such indignties upon his
daughter. She would go. No, she
would stay, and show the Mazonsons,
and her husband, too, what kind OF
stuff she was made of.
That evening Mr.. Stickney was de-
tanned below by callers. 1t was ten
o'clock before he was at liberty, and
then, to his great delight, Florence was
fast asleep. The poor child had forgot
ten her troubles, and the morning would
show things in more promising light.
He would do everything he could 10
make up for the Mazonsons, and after
little everything would go smoothly
enough. Mr.. Stickney would not have
been so certain of this if he had seen
the tear-stained face and quivering lids
Ignorant of all this, and in spite of his
ten years experience as husband, ut
terly ignorant of the delicacy and sensi-
tiveness of a true woman's nature, Mr..
Stickney went calmly and comfortably
to sleep.
The next morning, after waiting to be
called to breakfast, Mrs. Stickney, in
the daintiest of muslin wrappers, pre-
sented herself in the dining-room. Her
husband had just finished his early
mornings work. and now greeted hey,
with smile and kiss. The elder Ma
zonson looked exceedingly flushed and
Hurried, and Maria and Susan Macon
son flew briskly round at the bidding of
their superior officer.
81 beg your pardon" said Mrs.
Stickney, in her calmest and coolest
manner, 81 thought breakfast was
ready. hope am not intruding"
A smile played round the lips of Miss
Susan, who, in spite of her dreadful
name, was not altogether so hideous as
Florence had thought at first sight. The
rightful occupant of the chair at the
head of the table waited to see if Mrs.
Mazonson would occupy it, and finding
that she did, went calmly round and
sat by her husband.
Eyes, breakfast is ready" said Mrs.
Mazonson, in voice betyeen a growl
and a groan. Its been ready some
time"
81 hope you slept we'll last night,
Mrs. StickneyP" This from Maria
Mazonson, whose voice Florence now
heard for the first time.
Every well, thank YOU" Mrs. Stick
ney cordially replied.
"You slept late enough, if that's any
sign," said Mrs. Mazonson in her most
sepulchral tone.
81 always sleep late, Mrs. Mazonson,"
Florence replied, as she slowly poured
the cream into her coffee.
You can't sleep late on this farm
very well, the elder lady began again,
her face ablaze. "Pve been I'D since
half past four" she went on, land
now it's half past seven. I've skinned
eighteen pans of milk, washed all the
pans, and made twenty-five pounds of
butter this morning"
You must be very tired" Mrs.
Stickney remarked, looking the irate
dame innocently in the face.
"Well, guess I'm tired" the house
keeper replied. 1.-The girls helped me
all they could, and"
go, ma" Susan Interrupted. flush
ing painfully as she spoke, "why
shouldn't we help you, should like to
know?"
At this point Mrs. Stickney made up
her mind that she was going to like one
of the Mazonsons after all.
they got this breakfast, | want
you to understand. Mr.. Mazonson
finished what she had to say in spite of
Interruptions.
1T is very nice breakfast" Flor
ence remarked. 81 don't know when
L have enjoyed anything so much"
Mr.. Stickney glanced at his wife
There was something in the tone which
reminded him of the barnyard tete-a-tete
There must certainly be an understand
ing between himself and his wife right
away, he thought. 1t would never do
to let things 60 on in this style. Mrs.
Mazonson must be rebuked also.
Her attitude was certainly very obiec-
tionable, and should be corrected i'm.
mediately. Meantime Mrs. Stickney
"eO hOi OiClhhdoI WIN IcllSu, anu
passed her cup for some more coffee.
(Which of you ladies'" indicating the
Misses Mazonson, ''made this coffee?n
she asked. pleasantly. at certainly is
delicious"
Neither of 'em made it." Mrs. Ma
zonson answered promptly. "Do you
think I'd trust anybody to make coffee
but mysclf2'
Mrs. Stickney had decided that her
platform should be plainly understood
both by her husband and the Mazonsons
before she left the dining-room. 1t
promised to be a hard battle to fight;
but the young wife had courage enough
now for host of husbands and a regi-
ment of first wife's relations.
"Are you going to be very busy to-
day. HubertP" Mrs. Stickney asked
her husband. as the meal drew to
close.
'1have been away so long that my
days will be occupied for some time to
come" the gentleman replied.
Perhaps, then, Miss Susan or Miss
Maria would go to ride with me this
morningP' and Florence threw glance
full of sweetness at the Misses Macon
son. "lt is such lovely morning." she
continued; land after little it will be
too warm, fear"
Mrs. Stickney waited moment for
nses H.. Il e \