The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-11-02


dogged and determined look as he
took his place at table.
81 breakfasted off cold fowl he
said, gloomily-"I lunched off cold
fowl refuse TO dine off it.
My aunt grew fearful again.
"This is not cold fowl she answer
ed cit is turkey; and you might eat
it. Cold beef will keep day or two
fowls and turkeys with some sauce
over them will not But"-turning to
me resignedly-"ring for the beef to
be brought jim, Meg; we have had
enough unpleasantness for one day."
''How is it there is a whole turkey
leftY' inquired Chris, somewhat mol
lifted as the beef appeared
at was Meg's fault" replied Aunt
Charlotte, "she put it on that dark
shelf behind the cellar door, and |
found it there this morning, quite for
gotten. But wonder Meg, you did
not notice that there were only two
turkeys at supper; this would have
been eaten if it had been there
81 did not have any supper said,
"for | thought there would not be
room
"That is merely an excuse inter-
posed Lottic; "you were spooning
with John Howarth in the conserva-
tory all supper-timc.
/ meant to look defiant, but l may
have looked guilty.
''Did he propose to you!" asked
Sophy, staring at me-
81 will put stop to this nonsense
about John Howarth," said, deter
minedly. "You shall all know exactly
how the case stands, and then there
will be no excuse for any further dis
play of stale wit at our expense. As
Sophy supposes, Mr.. Howarth did pro-
pose to me last night"
"Oh, Chris" interrupted Lottie,
show could you hit my cat in such
savage way9 Come here, Tip-poor
pussy
Z "You should teach your cat not to
stick claws into one'slegs at dinner time"
retorted Chris; "then he wouldn't get
hit"
"He was not touching your return
ed Lottie, warmly. "Ie was begging
quite inoffensively."
''lIe was sticking his claws into my
leg" reiterated Chris, with quiet and
most aggravating obstinacy.
Snow, don't you two begin quarrel.
ing" said Sophy, impatiently, "but
let Meg tell us about John Howarth.
l have often read about proposals in
tales, but have never heard real
bona fide one described. Do tell us
every word he said, Meg!"
did he 60 down upon his knees %
asked Chris. "F'or if he did, wish
had been there to see him"
81 shall not tell you whether he
went down upon his knees or not" l
answered calmly; "nor shall 1 tell you
what he said. But" l added, with
sentimental meditation, she said some
very nice things, indeed, to me-nicer
than you could put together, Chris, if
you tried for hundred years"
81 can assure you that I am not
going to try, even for a minute an
swered Chris, giving me a most savage
look.
My auut suddenly burst into tears.
"This is the finishing blow" she
sobbed. "Meg going to be married
l will never give another party as long
as live! 1t was against my better
Judgment that yielded this time. !
did it to please you all, and this is the
result-furniture ruined, eatables vast
ed, your father ill, you all quarreling
like this, and Meg going to be mar
ried! No, never another party in this
house !"
"What-not even when Meg mar.
ries John Howarth?" sneered Chris.
| mo, not even then," replied aunt,
redoubling her sobs.
"Well, don't cry, auntie," l inter
posed, ''for | am not going to marry
him. l gave him a very decided
| Chris here gave a quick, covert
glance in my direction after which
his assumption Of perfect indifference
seemed to me trihe over-acted.
"Oh," laughed Lottie, "that ex
plains why the poor fellow ate trutil,
instead of fowl with his boiled ham
and never found out the difference
thought what a curious taste h,
had"
But aunt refused to be pacifed sh
had reached that state of mind whel
troubles are positively preferred {,
blessings,
Saying No to Mr.. Howarth wi
not buy drawing-room carpet" sh
said, ''or eat up all the tarts and Gus
tards and cakes. | am sure'-warm
ing to her subject-''the waste ha
been shameful! When the confectior
er's man came this morning l had nc
a single cake or jelly or blanc-mang
to send back, for every one had bee
broken into. And saw you, Chri
take just spoonful of that expensiy
porcapine, when palmer cake alread
commenced was close by you"
, "Oh, don't blame Chris for tha
auntie! !" | exclaimed. "It was dor
for Miss Jones, no doubt. If he ha
, the power Chris would cut a bit off II
, Koh-i-nor itself if she asked him."
, 81 would" said Chris ''she is wort
a hundred Kohl noors."
1 "Really" observed Peter, arouse
at last from .he gloomy lethargy thi
t had possessed him all dinner. time, ar
addressing Chris: "What pity 81
/ does not regard you in the same ligh
She told me last night how she hat,
e dancing with you, saying you were
t clumsy you were constantly gettii
4 your feet on her dress"
+ "lndeed J! retorted Chris. IS
S told me the very same thing abo
!, you"
J. II don't believe it, said Peter.
f "Do you mean to say that | am te
d ing lies 2" demanded Chris.
It "Another quarrel" !" cried my aul
n "Oh, dear, dear, what will be t
Il end of it all"
!, "The end OF it all might be pleasa
d enough" | replied with energy,
only every one of you would displa,
al little common sense. | am out
10 patience with you ALL"
d | sWelL. Mep." said I.ottie caIm