The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-28
AN EASTER HAT.

Really, Eva, l feel as if we should economize just now as much as possible" "
 But, really, George, 1 feel as if I wanted that particular hat, just now such lovely match for my suit, and so becoming! You can just fall in love with me over again when you see me with that hat on-and that would be charming by way of variety, for me at least. And so cheap -only eighteen dollars-that wouldn't be much towards economizing, Pm sure. l feel that must have it /; Pm bent on making conquest of you, and I'm sure shall be irresistible in that hAt-just remember what a ,lly party am for a filtration. o, Gsorge, dear Georgep'
 And Mrs. George Brown at the con- clusion of this formidable appeal clasped two lovely white hands over Mir. G eorge Browns arm as she stood at his side in the vestibule of their charming little home, and Dent over and looked up in his face with a bright light in her large brown eyes and a roguish smile on her cherry.ripe lips, in way to coax mans entire bank account away from him, in- stead of paltry eighteen dollars.
 
 particularly fascinated. He Stood on both feet, in the most uncompromising manner, and although his eyes met those of his wife as they looked up in his face they did not keep them company long {; and the tempting lips offered no delights to him that he was in haste to enjoy. He was a good looking man, but there was hrmness in the line of his jaw, and reso- lution about the corners of his mouth, and Eva had been very much in eve with hIm since their marriage four years pre-. viously, much more so than during court ship. And the frozen truth was that George had come to hold her rather cheap, beautiful and good as she cer- tainly was; and beside, he really had other uses for ev so small a sum as eighteen dollars just at that particular Easter-tide. And before he spoke Eva knew that he had decided az gainst her re. quest.
 "You're an awfully pretty beggar, Eva. there's no denying that" said "dear George" with complacent smile, "but really think l must refuse this particular request"
 Eva's smile continued, and she did not take her hands off Georges arm, but the curve of her torso was a triae less supple and sinuous, and the corners of her mouth lifted just an hairs breadth as she said, 70, yes, know I'm pretty, and 'beggar isn't pretty word at all. And you really think l can't have the hat We'll, won't detain you. Iwonder if I'm pretty enough to be given an Easter hat by any one in the world, George2 What do you thinks You can give an unbiased opinion l know-now." And as Eva concluded this audacioas challenge, she too, stood squarely on her little feet, and looked for an instant quite as if the Browns might make family party of it if they tried hard.
 70, don't look so thunderstruck," Eva continued as George stood silently gazing at her. "l presume you will find me still here when you come home to dinner. Good morning. And Eva opened the door, and bowed George out without the form ality of parting kiss. In fact the parting kiss had been growing out of favor for some six months past, which showed shocking lack of good taste on the part of Mir. George Brown, as the kiss had fallen into desuetude solely because it is difficult, even for the owner of so charming a mouth as his wife's to give satisfactory kisses to one who receives them with evident indifference and there were great many things beside the refusal of the coveted Easter hat in Mrs. Eva Browns mind as she dropped rather wearily into an armchair in the reception room, and sat there for a mo- ment with a very serious face, gazing into vacancy, and weaving snowy mesh with her taper fingers.
 Beggar-pretty beggar-l wonder if I am pretty still," said Mrs. Brown, as she rose and walked to the pier-glass.
 Pretty she certainly was; even beauti- ful, and lovely as well, as she stood in variety of attitudes before the glass. She had slim waist, beautifully plump and rounded shoulders, a snowy neck, fine arms, elegant hands; and she tried a wicked little smile on the pier-glass which reflected unusually white teeth, and she even lifted her skirts far enough to show the tips of her boots, and made one or two dainty steps as if picking her way over muddy crossing, and experimented on the effect of sidelong glance over SCopyright- January, 1883, by The Author. | ASi Fiuhtg Fzxeryed