The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-10-30
NONa's Obedience.

bright toilets of the ladies made a
kind of gala day even on Broadway.
Philip Hays stood at his office
door, thoughtfully pulling on his
neat fitting glove. I say Thought
fully" because that word just de-
scribes his state of mind, which was
that of halting between two opinions
whether to 90 for his usual up
town stroll, have a comfortable din
ner at the Westminster, and little
Irritation with Jesse Mabin afterward
or to cross the river and take train
for his brothers lovely place in Jer-
sey. He told himself, as he was care
fully buttoning his righthand glove,
that the cherries were ripe, and that
he really needed a little fresh air and
country milk.
But he knew of far better reason
vet, if he would have acknowledged
it and what is more, other people
knew it too. Brother Will was wise
enough to credit his sister-in-law
with Philips remarkable access of
fraternal affection, and little Mona
Zabriska herself had a shrewd guess
as to what kind of cherries Mr.. Phil
ip Hays came to the country to
taste.
Well, on this particular afternoon
the country proved to be finally the
more powerful attraction, and in an
hour and il half after the gloves had
been fitted to II nicely they were
taken off again, that the wearer
might clasp the hands of the dearest
sweetest, brightest little country
maiden that any man with the right
kind of heart or eyes could desire to
see
What Philip said to Mona, ana
what Mona said to Philip, the cherry
trees and the evcning-star probably
know but it was very delightful,
and so satisfying that the young
people came back to the house with
out any cherries at all and present
ly there was IL great deal of hand
shaking and kissing, which ended
in bottle of champagne and mutu-
al good wishes.
Well, after this, for couple OF
weeks, there WAS no hesitating at
the Office door. Philip said STRAW
berries" now when his friends rallied
him about his sudden passion for
the country, and the strawberry
excuse did just as well as the cher
ries.
But as the weather grew hotter,
the subject of summer resorts be-
came uppcrmost, Philips mother
and sister were going to some fash
ionable Virginia springs, and he was
greatly desired that his little Mona
should go with them.
To tell the truth, he did wish she
was little more stylish, and would
put up her curls, and abandon
aprons, and dress like Jesse Mabin
did. That would perfectly satisfy
him, he thought. Yes, Mona "a
brisIa dressed like Jesse Mabin
would leave him nothing to desire.
He went about his plan with that
tact which young men who have
sisters easily acquire. A little pres
cnt from TifIany's and a modest
check Gust for spending money"
made his sister Cecilia sufficiently
interested in his project.
"Nona is dear little girl, Cecilia" :"
he said. "All she wants is more
stately manner and stylish dress"
"If that is what you desire, Philip
why do you not marry Jesse Mabin?
| thought you liked her well
enough"
because, Cccile, I want heart
inside the dress-a pure, fresh, low
ing heart"
at seems to mo" But here Ce-
cile stopped. She was wise enough
to know she would be throwing her
words away"
The next difficulty was to make
Mona delicately understand his
wishes, and induce her to accept the
invitation sent her by his mother
and sister. He approached the sub
ject under the most favorable cir
cumstances the moonlight did not
betray his confusion, and his enoir-
cling arm held her so close to his
heart that he had no fear of not Sc
curing attention if argument or ex-
PLANTATION became necessary.
81 am so glad, Mona, that you are
going with Ccoile, lam sure 1t will
do you good" And then he stop
ped and kissed her for emphasis.
81 go to please you, Philip. | am
quite well, thank you"
"Oh but l don't mean about your