The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-08-11
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

breakfast rosy aud il,ssy, and looking
as happy rs any Reasonable man might
dosire. His wife sat smiling at the
head OF the table ani his little daueh.
ter, Maude Amalii, on enc side while,
to crown the mta.nre of bis content
broiied spring chicken and water
cresses-his favoriie breakfast dish
greeted his graiifed gaze.
+" So spring has come already, has
," aaid, Tho n,,o ~ With o sionnn -
the vernal fowl and its votdant accom-
paniment.
eyes, indeed" responded Mrs.
Thompson, as she smilingly poured out
the coffee; and then, with a pensive
look, she continued: Il was at Madame
Robinette's yesterday, looking at the
spring bonnets" slish hit shadow passed
over Thompson's face --''the loveliest
things that 1 ever beheld, aud so
cheapi"
"Ah |" said Thompson, abaently,
munching a csess.
81 tried on ona," continued Mre. t.
ga most exquisite white hat, with seven
pink ostrich tips. it rcailf IA 10 me
look ten yesra tuun3cr.'
"Nou'ro Young enough" said hor
husband, abruptly. You wouldn't
want to look nLc Il school girl
"And then iasi sterpej into Field
& Fosters" resumed Mis-. lhomrlOn,
'and really it was as good ~ u museum
to see the exquisite spriue dress goods.
There was one bfocaded srfing silk
exactly suited my taste and complexion
that it really seemed to have tean made
for me. l thought l would go right
over to-day, and get it befoie it is
snapped up by some ono elise. It's only
uirty-1ive dollars"
Thompson WINGED. lie began to
understand about the true inwardness
of the early spring chicken and crosses.
"My dear, coulant you wait while?
l have, just at this time II pressing use
for every dollar that can command.
Next week -"
But Mrs. Thompson had set down
her coifee.cup, and was drawing forth
her pocket handkerchief.
81 knew yond refuse" sho said,
huslcily.
But, Maggie, woman cannot
always understand what pressing need
her husband may eomellmes have for
money i'll has business affairs. If you
will only watt"
"And let that hateful Mrs. Murchie
get the silk-."
just here the door-bell rang, and
Mics Mande Amnlm j mped down
from her high chair and ran 70 IN
swer ii.
" It's your letters and papers, paral"
she cried, holding ihnm up, "aud one
OF 'em smeil. n nioe-jnst like mammals
pretty bottles oa her bureau"
Thompson looked at the missive in
question 10 did his wife, and she
noticed that it was in lady's hand
writing, and directed 10 Mr.. John
Thompson.
She watched him MS he glanced over
the first few lines Then he looked at
tho signature, emiled-a constrained
and furtive smile--and folding the note,
without finishing it, glGnoad at his wife,
colofed little, and slipped it under
the papers beside his plato.
WHO Is that periumed envelope
from 2" inquired his wife.
"Why. u sort of business note" he
answered, inditlerently.
"From a laly?' said Mrs. T., suspi-
ciously.
"Yes-from lady," he admitted,
reluctantly.
"What business can lady have with
your
"Only little private business matter.
will tell yoa in Il day or two Why,o
elancing up At the clock, and then con-
euiting his wnich, "l,'s later than
thought 10y ten plnutes, must hurry
And he did hurry: and in his haste
went up stains for fomclhing he had
forgotten, having tho loltefs on the
table.
Mrs. Thompson lid nct allow the op.
portunity to l'ass uhinproved She
listened till she heard ier husbands
footsteps an The top stsir, and then,
drawing fo'th tn peiiamoj note, hur.
riedly opened u, AID read ss follows:
"DEAr j Nisro w,re Non last even
ing2 looaei for lon all lhe time, but
IN vain. l,cfsrn ma 1hliet WAS lovely.
Romeo remii lca ,uu IT you. Thanks
for your lovely llira Dayou remember
what you taid 10 NJ" nu Tuesday, while
eating ice-cream 40 ihc In 'cony Well,
have thOn. ht II ali over, and conclude
that 1t will Lo The lest. after all. Come
this evening, oa'is, ald wo will make
arrangements, Toliv gone away. No.
body at home but Ii-and l. Yours
ouly, X"
Thompson was heard eoming down
etairs. His wile hastily slipped the
note under the lett',s aud disappeared
by another door. He put the papers in
his pocket and went away.
Then Mrs. Thompson went upstairs
to dress the baby. Her face was rosy
red and her eyes shone with an unnat-
ural brilliancy. She peremptorily dis
missed the maid, boxed the poodle's
ears for affectionately licking her hand,
and proceeded to soap, and scrub. and