The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-08-12
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A SHOWER.


Mrs. Trayerss morning nom was the
ideal Of luxurious elegance, and the lady
herself made charming picture IS she lay
back. amid the crimson cushions Of her
eezy easy-chair. One daintily-slippered
foot impaiiently patted the carpet, and an
indignant flush dyed the clear olive Of her
cheeks. as she closely scTut;nized the eoun-
tenance Of the rooms other occupant, her
handsome brother Hugh.
He was standing By the ere, one arm
resting on the low, marble mantle, an
amused smile curving his lips. as he re-
g.1rded his irate sister
Mrs. Trayers, IN her intent search Of his
face. saw the smile, and then the vials Of
her wrath burst ON the head Of the nnlucky
offender
Il declare. Hugh Castlemon, yUu are the
most provoking mortal ever saw. she
exclaimed, with fash Of her sparkling
black eyes. aJust see how You are spoil
ing all my plans by your stupid obstinaey-
/ have written and invited Eleanor Vance
here. and stated particularly that you are
staying with me, and were anxious 10 meet
her. sent the letter yesterday, and now
she'll come and find yoa gone OF course,
she n know that y0a only went 70 avvid
her. and what vii she think Don't stand
there smiling Il me in that tantalixing kind
of way, for have no patienee with You At
And. with atOss Of her jetfy braids, Mrs.
Travers tightenel the rose colored cord
giiriing her pesrl-gray robe dc ehaislsre,
while Hugh b1oke ont into a little laugh.
sWb', sister mine, You don't know how
well your little temper becomes you, he
said, smiling down into the flushed face
But, seriously, Flossie. / don't see why
you should ay into tantrum because ]
/ take jaunt % the country for recreation
! from the dull cares Of lawyers ofEice.
/ eRecreation, indeed = exclaimed the
lady, with an impatient gesture ~Dont,
Hugh-dont run away with the idea that
/ believe anything ike that, for am vel
aware that YOU are only going 10 avoid
meeting Eleanor Vance, though why You
should do 70 is an impenetrable mystery 70
me
The gentleman made an impatient move
ment
swell. Flossie, | acknowledge that Is my
reason for taking myself of just about now,
he responded, look Of seriousness settling
on his face. why, do you suppose that
/ / would stay here for a moment, playing
[ the devoted to Miss Vance, simply because
/ she is an heiress or that would consent
/ to stand quietly by while she coolly meas
ured my physical and mental qualities with
i a view to matFimony2 Heaven forbid
And, FIossie, must say that in che matter
Of wife, | prefer to do my own selecting.
and certainly my choice would never be one
who could, in the slightest manner, sppear
a. husband hunter
Husband hunter, indeed 7 exclaimed
Mrs. Travers, now thoroughly angry. As
/ If Eleanor Vance, the heiress, with the
beauty aud accomplishments that she pos
sesses. would stoop to such thing OH
sareastieally, Il think it most excellent
idea of yours, this going away-for, should
you stay hese, and Eleanor just chance to
smile on you, your insuiferable coneeit
would Immediately coastrue it into an
ayowal Of love. 1t is Nertainly blessed
escape for her,
And, with this Parthian shot. Mrs Tray
ers and her sweeping train sailed majesti-
cally from the apartment
Hugh gave long, low whistle as his sis
ter's plump form disappeared through the
DOORWAY, and then laughed softly to him
self; for be knew that the pretty matron's
| little temper would soon be over, and that
by dinner-time she would be her own lively
self again.
4 While all this was taking place in the
Travers mansion, the subject of the conver-
sation was bending her golden head over
! Flossie's letter The pleasant, ehatty con-
tents brought smile to the sweet young
face, but suddenly the smile vanished, and,
with puckered brow and compressed lips,
Eleanor read the concluding paragraph of
the closeIy-written epistle
.s.Na Cheyle,' ran on. in Mrs TraYers
gliding chirography, you have SO often pro-
missed 10 pay me visit that now | am going
to insist on the ful6llment of your word, es-
pecially as Hugh is withus. lou remember
/ his likeness, that showed you while we were
I at school together?l He is particularly anx-
ious TO see you. This last clause being an
inference on the part Of the writer. "So,
now, dear, you must come and stay with us
until the warm weather sets in, then go with
us to Long Branch. Hugh viii, of course,
accompany US there, and-well, strange things
happen sometimes. Be sure to come, that 5
a darling, for you don't know how much good
| Just sight of your dear face win do
Yours eternally, FLossIE.
tsP. S.-Write at once on what day and
train to expect you, aud will send Hugh
and the carriage to meet you. F.