The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-09-01

nothing 10 take hold Of.
Things had gone on IN this way for .ws
or three months did not suppose that
Charley knew. or. indeed. saw how ] fret
ted about Il. titled 10 hide my irritation
( for really loved him. snd ! did not wish
/ 10 annoy. siill less TO ALLEVIATE him; but
supposed that my efforts were in vain.
We were talking about reception 10 which
we were going In the evening. and ] said
Now. Charlie. dear. won't you be ready in
time jus. for once? You do make me waste
so much time waiting for you.
Charley laughed. as usual. and was 60
ing TO make one OF bis careless retorts, bat
he stopped suddenly.
I'VE hare been married four months,
haven't we, LeIiaf he said.
-Four months today, responded prompt
ly. II was the sth Of August and this Is
the 6th OF December
And in all that time you have not been
able to cure me Of my dreadful fault.
Poor little girl your hair will be gray in
year at this rate. lam going to try the
effect Of turning over new leaf. aud see
how We both like it,
did not know exactly what bc meant
then. but began to understand when he
went into the dressing room the moment /
suggested it. He came out fully equipped,
even to his gloves before l had finished
dressing.
No hurry, Leila, he said. looking in as
he passed. ! only wanted TO let you know
that am ready whenever You are.
OF course l had to hurry after that, but
as l always hurried anyhow it did not make
very much difference. Charley said moth.
ing except to tell me the carriage was at
the door when came down. OF course
after oil the fuss had made / could not
say it was too early to go, but ! knew It
was aud was quaking inwardly oil the way
Don't you think it would be pleasant to
drive round by Washington square? l
said in desperation.
BY Washington square? said Charley.
Are you mad. Lelia9 Why not by Philadel-
phia at once? Washington square 10 miles
out Of our way.
As II that was not just my object. /
could not explain myself, however, so l
kept still, and we drove to our destination
by the shortest route. Ofcourse the house
was dark when we reached it, the hostess
entirely unprepared to receive us, and the
waiter who let us in equally surprised and
contemptuous at our untimely, arrival. Or
course We had the pleasure Of spending a
solitary hour, in the ladies' and Charley
in the gentlemen's dressing room, before
we dared descend Even then we were
among the earliest guests.
begin to feel the reward OF virtue al
ready, sighed Charley as we descended the
stairs. How nice it is to be early have
ordered the carriage for one o'clock, and
I'll be sure and be ready.
He was-and / was not. ] had mel an
old friend, and we were in the midst OF n
most interesting converse ion She was
only at New York on visit, and | should
not see her again. 1t was very provoking
to be obliged to break of in the middle OF
cur talk, but Low could tell Charley that
| was not ready, when he stood waiting
With Az air OF conscious virtue? II was
beyond my power, and. absurd as 1t was,
bad to say goodbye to Annie and go.
ssd not supposed at first that Char
i. -mstlon was permsuent. but as
ev's refo, NJ was forusd to confess
The days went =. Naon like as y were.
hat il looked yery h. -"k six in the ev-
Promptly as the clock strL. "ompty as
sning, he entered the house; !. NO
I struck nine in the morning he lei..
,ntreaties could detain him an instant be-
yond his time.
No, Leila. my dear, was his invariable
.eply, have already wasted too much OF
ife by nnpunctuality. You have convict
ID me Of my error. Why strive to undo
he good which you have done?
OF course such sentiments ought to have
delighted my heart, and they did in a
MEASURE. Only III measure, however,
must confess, for began to think that
se should be known as the "early birds"
! was never necessary to urge Charley to
et ready for my thing. We were always
he first in church; we we're waiting at the
oors Of operas and theatres long before
hey we're open; at parties or receptions il
1as our invariable custom to spend from
alf an hour to an hour in the dressing !
Dom in order 10 descend with the earliest
uests. And Charley was continually ex.
atiating on the sweet reward OF virtue
nd thanking me for teaching him the
eauty OF punctuality spent myself in
ain wondering as to how long this thing
ras to last; but OF course it came 0 eli
lax finally.
Ny oldest and most intimate friend. IT,
q Verringer, was to be married and Char.
Q and had vowed in the most solemn
,anner to attend the wedding. Tina lived
Montolair. and 1t was there, Of course,
hat the ceremony was to take place.
Do you think that nine o'clock will be
arly enough to leave here? asked Charley
,eekly.
Nine o'clock my dear Charley, she is
OF to be married until one, and Montclair
} only AN hour away.
know. said Charley, but was anxious
D be in time. think we had better start =
nine TO make sure.
] swallowed my astonishment as best J
ould. and submitted. twas not pleas
Mt day. Ill we're not afraid Of exagger-
ting. ] should say that il was decidedly
unpleasant one. being cold and gray.