Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-08-06

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thing is all right. oh, dear what
should I do if there was anything gone
wrong? Frank would never cease
teasing me. Where are the stair-car-
pets, Jane?' she whispered, when they
were in the drawing-room. Il thought
everything was straight.
so it was. but the drafted cistern
took to leaking this morning, and no
man can be got for love or money. l
never saw such gingerbread house as
this in all my born days. she said
gloomily.
Cant you manage to put them
down, so that Frank won't notice it"
the poor little bride faltered.
Put them down to be spoiled
Why, they are already wet through in
some places; but here comes the mas
ter" as she hustled out of the room.
This certainly looks cosy and home
Ike said Frank Wharton as he clasp
ed his bride in a loving embrace, and
seated her in an lsy-chair by the fire;
"but what is the matter with that
wall? Why, | believe it's damp, the
paper is perfectly wet and peeling off.
l must see the fellow that papered it;
such room cannot be fit for my little
WHEY"
"Oh, that is nothing, Frank; it is
often like that in new houses, l believe"
she said timidly.
Il must insist that you don't stay
another moment" ringing the bell
sharply for Jane "Why did you per-
NIT your mistress to come in this damp
vault?' he said testify; "it's enough to
kill dog"
IL am sure, sir, it was no fault of
mine," said poor Jane; they say that
the paper in new houses often sweats
at least that is what the man styled
it,
Sis there no other room fit to receive
us ?" he asked; surely the dining-room
would be better"
"Well, you see, sir, the stove is what
they call slow combustion.
"Slow what?' he said, laughing in
spite of himself
1 don't know exactly how to pro-
nounce the name, but it's sorry thing
at the best, and won't act nohow, try
as you will"
"It's beautiful CRATE, Frank" inter
posed Grace; "it's one of the modern
ones, and is called slow combustion"
"It's drafted slowp' grumbled Jane.
1--WE spent three-quarters of an hour
over it, and can't get fire to burn, so
its slow enough in all conscience
Never mind, Jane; I'm beautifully
warm and comfortable-ind l am,
dear Frank"
well. ] suppose we must make the
best of it now" he said trying to APP
pear cheerful
Il know what I'll do" murmured
Grace; music always suits Frank; I'll
play and sing some of his favorites."
In a few minutes the little cloud was
blown over, and the pair were as happy
as turtledoves as Grace sang song after
song to Frank intense delight.
"What on earth are they doing in
the kitchen ?" she thought; Il must go
and see. feel sure they will break
the crate to pieces in a minute. Oh,
dear; oh, dearl | wish / had taken
dear Franks advice. What are you
all doing, and where is the dinner ?"
said Grace. "It's nearing the time,
Dinner, indeed! If you get supper
it will be wonder to me- gasped
Jane, as, armed with an immense fiue-
brush, she and her assistant were max
ing frantic raids upon the kitchener,
while the smoke poured out in volumes,
nearly choking poor Grace, who stood
the image of despair, gazing at the
fowls, fish and joints that lay strewn
about, getting peppered with SCOT.
What's to be done, Jane?" she
stammered, as she covered her golden
head to evade the shower of SCOT, and
caught up her satin robes nervously;
cit is past six o'clock, and Frank was