Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-29

. glowing fire in the nickel-trimmed heater-a
pretty little woman listening for the footsteps
Of the lord and master. This charming picture
OF domestic bliss Jack Alderman fully apprec-
ated as he stepped into the room a few minutes
later.
'.Well. Mollie, what's the news?'
ION, nothing, only supper has been waiting
half an hour. Come, let US hurry and eat; /
want to talk with you
81 thought there was something on your mind
Didn't know but was going to get a lecture for
being late"
'You deserve one. for this is the last evening
shall spend with you for two whole weeks"
Mrs John Alderman tried to frown. bat failed
completely. in another half hour they were
back in the parlOr. and Mollie began:
al think Tom is fine fellow. and there were
never two brothers more alike than you and
he
THANK you, my DEAR 1 honor your judg-
ment."
And, John, have the most brilliant plan
do tell.'' said John. with a movement to-
ward his coat pocket. where the evening paper
lay in uncut solitude. hOie observed the
motion. aud promptly informed him that he
should not read a word until she was through
talking.
II am going away Tomorrow ard then YOU
may read the paper FROM the time you enter the
house until midnight, with no to bother
you" she said.
Somehow the vision of the little parlor. with
out MolIies lively chatter. did not seem to
strike favOraby. Perhaps this was why he
tossed the paper to the other side of the room.
and promised to listen. Mole perc,ied herself
on one arm of his chair. and began:
"1ou know my sister Amy is coming home
with me for a long visit, and don't you think it
would be splendid if she and Tom would fall in
love with each other? They could get married
and set up housekeeping in a cottage like this
one across the street. 1t would make me SO
happy. jack
JOhn1aughed long and heartily.
Understanding. by Jove." he said at last.
miserable yourself and want everybody else
to be- is that il, MOlIie:"
Don't laugh. John. for am in earnest /
know they will like each other and have set
my heart on the match. Just think how nice it
would be TO have Amy here; and Tom is such
darline,'
John was laughing again by this tine. and it
took considerable management TO reduce him to
order.
II tell you what it is Molle. you don't want
me TO say word of this to Tom or Amy or
they will take dislike to each other
II know it, replied MolIie. when told
Tom was going to visit Aunt Hetty did not
mention Any's name. and | don't think he
knows of her existence; rs for Amy. have been
with her so little since was married that am
sure never spoke To her of Tom
Well. see that you don't DO so now for yOu
couldn't mention his name without praisinr him
to the skies. and she would see through your
plans at once
Mollie let the next morning leaving direc-
tons enough 20 distract man if he tired to re-
member half of them.
q Don't have Tom at the house when we re-
], turn Amy will be tired with her Journey. and
: ! want ner to have chance 10 beautify little
before she meets him
When they reached the depot Molie's courage
began TO fail.
II am almost sorry to 60 JOHN she said
"Suptoce something should happen to you
While am away:
Nonsense, darling Co. and have a good
, time: and be sure to be back in two weeks. and
hiring Amy with YOU"
MOe's heart was thoroughly in her pet
! plan that she found 1t very harn to refrain
from ali mention of her adorable brOther-in-iaw
= during the two weeks that followed Once
che did refer to the cosy party of four they
would make. and then was obliged to turn it off
on Jennie the little ma;d-Of-all-work, as making
the fourth.
The day before Molie was to return Aunt
Hetty fell ILL., Amy was obliged TO postpone her
visit for few days, at least. MOe could go on
~ she had intended. and she would follow as
soon as Aunt Hetty could spare her
Amy will certainly come up next week"
she assufedJOan3 sbutI could not wait another
day. -
1t WAS so pleasant to be at home once more.
and mistress OF all she surveyed. note from
Amy, saying she would come on the following
Saturday, set her mind completely at rest. She
was really sorry to hear John say, one morn
Ing:
Il think we had better take that run down to
Camden's to-day. We must go sometime this
MONTH land. of Curse, you won't want to go
after your sister comes
John; you know We cannot stay away all
1aght. i gave Jenny leave Of absence until
Friday: and it won't do to leave the house
0lone."
'.I'l get Tom to come and sleep here
There are three keys" said she. as they left
a. n IN srtu0 to rrnp, ny,6 r
will leave one with Mr.. Gates. next door, The
house might get on fire, and then 1t would be
well to have a key handy, so they could get into
the house and bring out the things
Yes, said John. sarcastically: cor l might
are squad of policemen to watch the house
day and night
About eleven o'clock that evening. Miss AMY
Arden alighted from express and looked
about the depot as if expecting some one.
"They could not have received nv second
postal. she concluded. after waiting nearly half
IN hour in the ladies waiting room. :" Well, l
can very soon find their house.
carriage very soon deposited her In front of
the pretty cottage on Lake street All was
dark. Amy pulled the bell several times. with
out hearing a sound within. Where could Moliie
and John have gone? There was a light in the
next house. and Amy remembered hearing her
sister speak Of her kind neighbOr Mrs. Gates
Pernaps they were spending the evening with
: her, or at least. she might know of their where
>abouts. Amy ran across the small grass plot
bell Mrs. Gates soon explained matters
You 90 look a little Ike Mrs. Alderman
when you laugh, she said in conclusion $50 |
suppose it's all right to let you have the key;
but she wasn't looking fer you until Saturday"
probably she did not receive my postal which
mailed yesterday
Weii. I'll give you the key of course: but
are you not afraid to stay alone in the hOuse:"
'Oh, Tin rot at all timd" said Amy.
But there's a gang of burglars about the
city, urged Mrs Gates. But YOU are welcome
&c come IN and sleep on our paTlor sofa, if you
are afraid"
NO. thank you" said Amy. 81 will risk it
Tor one night"
Siie let herself into the deserted house not
without some thrills of fear, il must be con-
iessed How quiet everything was, Oh if Mol
Ne were only there. She took u survey of the
rooms. the kitchen. last OF all, where she con-
Guided to look for something to eat Hank
what was that Only the silyer-toned clock
striking the midnight hour
THAT WOnan's talk about burglars has made
Oh