The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-10-02

have as he did, and he must be pun
ished," and Mabel threw her wraps on
the bed and took her seat by the glow
ing fire. 1T won't do to let him get
the upper hand. Ali have it! I've
thought of ia splendid plan. A charm
ing, delightful plot"
And she clapped her hands in glee.
80, Mabel, what is ftp" and Alice
sat down at her sisters feet, gazing in
her face with expectant smiles. What
are you going to do?"
I'm not going to do it. Ishall stay
here and watch the baby. You are to
go to the party"
"Mabel! Impossible!"
"Quite possible. In fact, it must be
done. You must let Herbert see that
you are as pretty as anybody, and
quite as much to be admired. 1t is
decided. You are to go to the party
and play part Let me arrange the
programme.
But, Mabel, 1 haven't a dress pre-
pared-or anything. l gave up going
week ago, you see, when baby was
threatened with the Group"
"Pshaw! You shall wear one of mine
one of the most bewitching, bewilder-
ing of dresses-bought from my last al
lowance from Uncle Curtis. Only to
see it will throw you into ecstasies.
Worth never composed any thing more
lovely. | want to see it on you. Come,
come, call your maid; am all lmpa-
tience. Well shame your bad husband
into good behavior, see if we don't. No
irresolution. l will stay at home and
fancy myself mistress here, and count
your pictures, vases and pretty things
and catalogue them, so as to make
mamma happy with letter tomorrow.
Order John. or Jack, or Bill, or who
ever your coachman is, to get the car
riage-if that is impossible, send for
cab"
In less than an hour Mabel led her
sister to the great French mirror and
laughingly introduced her to the love
lest and best -dressed woman she had
ever seen. Alice trembled little when
she found herself actually on the way
to Mrs. Mountjoy's; but her sisters
urgent will had conquered and her
heart was hardened by Herbert's en-
phatic expression concerning the baby.
She was treasured, however, by Mrs.
Mountjoy's hearty welcome.
I'm so glad you've come, my DEAR
she said your husband said he
feared baby would keep you at home,
but l told him that was all nonsense.
You did right to reconsider the matter"
Herbert, like many handsome society
men, was little spoiled and selfish,
without knowing it, He loved Alice
devotedly; but he was not unwilling to
to receive the sweet smiles and honeyed
words of others, while, with mans
inconsistency, he was not DESTROYS that
his wife should play the part of mar
ried belle. 1t was while he was dancing
with one of the most noted and beauti-
full women of the metropolis, who was
willing to listen to his nonsense, that
Herbert, looking up from the face
leaning against his shoulder. while the
dreamy waltz music thrilled the heart
sensitive to sadness as to ioy," en-
countered the sparkling face of his wife
and saw her arrayed in the freshest
and most graceful costume in the room.
She was moving quietly along with an
escort in uniform.
Pray, don't stumble" said his part
ner petulantly, for at that moment the
grand repose of her manner was gone,
and the lady on his arm might have
been made of wax or any other ductilc
material for all he cared now.
"How the dickens came she here?"
he muttered to himself as he led his
partner absently to Il seat, deaf to all
her pretty words, blinded to her fascina-
tions. 1t certainly is Alce-but that
dress-the prettiest thing here! And L
left her quite determined not to como.
| don't understand it. Dancing with
that puppy, Guinett too! She knows l
hate HIM"
With these amiable thoughts he laid
himself out to gain the attention of his
wife and make her explain. 1t was
some time before he had a chance, so
he was obliged to content himself with
following her graceful motions. angry
with himself and with her.
"Alice! Can | believe my eyesr' he
said at last, in the pause of the dance.
81 should think you might" was the
nonchalant reply.
pray, how did you Gomez"
pray, how did you come? rode.
Did you walk?'
"Well, but"
"Excuse me. | am engaged four
deep, already" and Herbert was forced
to move one side as pompous ac-
quaintance claimed her hand.
''rd like to knock that fellow down."
he muttered, angry in earnest.
Another pause and another tetea-
tete. No satisfaction given. Herbert
had hardly the grace to redeem all of
his dancing engagements.
Glow about the baby, AliceP" he
asked, anXiously.
She put her rosy lips to his ear, and
in a subdued voice exclaimed:
Hang the baby!"
Herbert started and changed color.
To be sure, he had used the same Ian
guage; but from her it was too exas-
perating. How he got through the
evening he could hardly tell. When at
last they were together in the carriage,
driving home, there might have been
an open rupture but for the determined
calmness of Alice, who took every
thing as a matter of course. One
II 4. 4