Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-11-19


ship when he arrived upon the scene unan
nounced even by football, in consequence
of new pair of list slippers.
SIT pulled him up rather short" as h
expressed it afterwards, and he stood lik
a statue on the threshold for one or tw,
minutes.
Then he shook his fist in terribly trag
lc manner, and growled in deep bass
''I've caught your
Both John and Mary started, and the
former was evidently disconnected by thu
surprise; but Mary Was instantly on tn,
defensive.
II don't care" said she, sauciiy, ''Kiss
ing on the sly is better than drinking OF
the sly, eh, Richard9"
Richard colored.
"Come now," said Mary seeing her ad
vantage, and pressing it. "Ain't it9"
'You go and tell Janet Mason that Mr.
Roland Cavel wants to speak with her,
replied the butler, sternly, "and then III
answer you."
"Ana what will you and John do while
I am gomez" inquired hIary.
tFigghtr .muttered Richard Browne be
tween his teeth.
'sThank ee," replied Big John, the foot
man, cody. "I've got something else to
do and so have you. One corpse is enough
at time in house, 1 should think, and
a blow Of my fist would soon make you
one."
ooh, don't talk sop cried Mary, weep
ing.
81 must" said John, rubbing a spoon
hard. 'sIt's necessary"
Yes, it's necessary" echoed Richard,
in a sarcastic tone. It's very necessary for
him to rouse me to anger, as if was not
angry enough; but I'll pay him out when
the works done, that l will. Mind you
clean that silver well, John; it's your last
shine on EARTH"
"Nonsense, Richard!" said Mary, catch
ing the arm of her betrothed, and clinging
to it with both hands though he made
feint to cast her off. "Nonsense, Richard!
don't be angry, dear! He was not kissing
me, poor fellow, 1 would not let him."
"Then you was kissing him, 1 knoyr'
hissed the butler.
''Well, if was," answered Mary, look
ing into her lovers face with an expression
she knew he could not resist, SIT was MOTH
ing. love. I was only practicing in your
absence, SO as to treat you better like when
we had little time together; and there
was no harm in that, should think?''
ooh, no harm at, ALL" answered Rich
ard, as if he had something in his throat
''no more harm than is sufficient to part
US! Howsoever, We will not talk about
that now, for you must carry that message,
Mary
''As you please, DEAR answered Mary,
in quite a resigned tone; shut you must
come halfway, or I will not stir step"
And halfway he had to go, for Mary was
determined not to leave him with John,
and when he returned John had escaped.
Mary's fleet feet soon carried her to Jan
cts chamber, where the girl sat stitching
1T black dress. She was SO intent upon
her work, and SO lost in meditation, that
she did not hear the first knock or the Sec
ond.
Mary becoming impatient, would have
entered without making a third summons,
but the door was locked.
'Janetv' cried she-"Janetp'
Janet was up il minute, with an apollo
gy On her lips; and Mary, easily pacifed,
her message.
81 wonder whatever Mr.. Carvel can
want with you?" she added, in conclusion.
81 am sure l cannot tell, )" answered JAN
ct, turning hastily aside to conceal the ex
preston of surprise which stole over her
face; ''but it must be something about the
funeral arrangements. No doubt the
housekeeper knows all about it.''
'Then you'll Gomez" said Mary anxior
to be gone.
81 suppose must" replied Janet, quiet
ly folding up her work. .NIr. Cavel is
master HOW, and as long as remain under
his roof 1 intend to obey his orders.''
''All right" said Mary, wondering at the
proud lady's maids submission. 'I'll tell
Richard Browne to say you'll be with him
in few minutes"
And she went down stairs like bird on
the wing to see if her angry betrothed had
cooled down..
This, alas! he had not done, and, in con-
sequence, his pantry was very hot place
to enter.
Mary, however, dared the danger. for
her flirtations had raised similar degree
of heat before, and, therefore, she had
learnt by experience what to do.
ITO be continued.1