Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-23

"What-not even when Meg marries John
H0warth ?" sneered Chris.
"No, not even then,'' replied aunt, redoub-
ling her sobs.
':well. don't cry, auntie," interposed, s,for /
am not going to marry him. gave him very
Chris here gave quick covert glance IN my
direction: after which his assumption OF perfect
''Oh, laughed Lottie, ''that explains why the
poor fellow ate trifle instead OF fowl with his
boiled ham, and never found out the differencei
thought what curious taste he had"
But aunt refused to be pacifled; she had
reached that state Of mind when troubles are
positively preferred to blessings.
Saying No to Mr.. Howarth will not buy q
new drawlngroOm carpet, she said ''or eat up all
the tarts and custards and cakes. I am sure
warming to her subject-''the waste has been
this morning had not single cake or Jelly or
blanc-mange to send back, for every one had
been broken into! And / saw you. Chris. take
just spoonful out Of that expensive porcupine,
when a palmer cake, already commenced, was
close by you.
sob. don't blame Chris for that auntie I" I
exclaimed: ''It was done for Miss Jones, no
doubt If he had the power Chris would cut
him."
q! would" said Chris; "she is worth hum
"Really!" observed Peter aroused at last from
the gloomy lethargy that had possessed him all
dinner time, and addressing Chris. 'sWhat q
pity she does not regard you In the same light!
She told me last night how she hated dancing
were constantly getting your feet on her dress
Indeed, retOrted Chris. ''She told me the
very same thing about you"
IL don't believe IL, !" said Peter.
"Do yon mean to say am telling nes9" de-
manded Chris.
uAnother uuarrolIn cr;od INV orrt ooh
dear, dear, what will be the end Of it all?'
''The end Of 1t all might be pleasant enough. :"
replied with energy, IF only every one of you
would display little common-sense. am out
OF patience with you all!''
"Well, Meg" said Lottie calmly, ''you gener-
ally seem to consider yourself capable Of set
ting the world to rightsso can you set our little
world straight. 1t seems to me we are all mis-
cradle What can you suggest to make US
ha !gyr',o, -.o,.. j. !, 10000,
nonsense. Take my advice, and peace will be
restored at once"
''Let US have it then," said my aunt querul-
ously.
"Oh, let us have 'Meg's advice at once!"
sneered Chris again. SLOW is it we have not
thought Of this panacea earlier?"
II will commence with nv uncle" began
nrmly. LET hin-at least make him-see the
doctor tonight and he will be better before
morning."
THAT is good advice enough, said aunt, 'and
will tell him."
''As for you. aunt-go to bed at once and for
get your worries. We will start subscription
list for you, which will head with five shil-
lngs; and if the others give with equal liberality
according to their means, you will be able to re-
place all the broken crockery and have the
white hearthrug cleaned also"
THAT Is good advice too, and will do nv
part by going to bed Immediately" said aunt
meekly: lam much obliged to you4 Meg"
las for you, Peter" continued severely 81
think, instead of quarreling with Chris about
Miss Jones, you had better turn your attention
nearer home. know poor little Kittie Rey-
nolds would nearly cry her eyes out when she
got home last night, or rather this morning."
You know more than do then" returned
Peter.
Eyes. do; for I am in Kitty's confidence. and
you are not; and know what Kitty said to me
when she was going home, and you do not.
And my advice to you, Peter, is, make it up
with Kitty, and leave Miss Jones for those who
want her"
1t, you see; so don't consider myself bound to
take it.; and he Went on eating tarts.
"And now girls, - continued. looking at Lot
tie and SOphy, make mp your minds to the in
evitable, and change lovers. They are twins,
and so much alike that you cannot always tel
contrariness in you two to pretend you like
either one better than the other; and"-with
just careless glance at ris-'scontrariness
never pays in the end. So take my advice.
transfer your affections quietly, and say no
more about it.' ~ ....-rs
Then l helped myself to some blanc-mange.
and went on eating my dinner.
but you have forgotten me" observed Chris;
''pray nave you no advice for me3"
hesitated moment. then looked at him de-
family.
''Wel," said. 81 think the advice I have
given Peter might also apply to you; instead Of
making yourself ridiculous about Miss Jones'
home"
Then, owing to Peters delighted 'Bravo,
Meg!" and Chris steady stare, I had q sensation
that had never experienced In all my self-pos-
sessed life before-I think It was enabarrass-
ment-and rose hastily from the table and left
the room, presumably to see ''why that dog
howled So" And Chris must have felt curious
on the point. too. for he also left the table and
followed me to Nero's kennel.
when we came In again Peter was standing in
the hall with his top coat on, brushing his hat
very carefully.
''Why, Peter" exclaimed, "where are YOU
going! should have thought you would have
been more inclined for bed than walk. Where
are you gOing?"
Peter looked at US with curious mixture Of
defiance and sheepishness in his expression
am going to see Frank Reynolds" he said.
He told me last night that he has little ter
iSA iiO ChiHno ShUh uhc, auu uc SdlO Qc WOOlO
let me have it cheap; SO am going to look at
it,"
But" remarked Chris pitilessly, "yau know
that Frank has gone away from home to-day.
and won't be back until Monday. and your Jour
ney will be utterly fruitless, will it not, if you
find only Kitty ini'
IL shall see the terrier" muttered Peter, put
ting on his hat, land shall leave word whether
l will have him or not"
oh. have no doubt it will be all right"
remarked, with an innocent air.
Peter looked at me, and then said:
What was the matter with Nero?"
"Oh-his chain-I think-his collar!" stam-
mered, taken aback by the suddenness of his
Chris.
'Neyer mind never mind!" cried Peter. way-
ing his hands. LAS you said, Meg. I have no
doubt it will be all right; it's leap year, you
know, and Chris has only acted as any other
man." Here Peter darted through the
hall door and slammed 1t after him, otherwise
the hat brush would have struck him
When Chris and entered the dining room
yrao .