The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-07-21
N OBEDIENCE.


Philip Hays stood at his office door,
thoughtfully pulling on his neatly fitting
gloves. ] say "thoughtfully," because
that word just Describes his state Of mind,
which was that Of halting between two
opinions-wheiher 10 90 for his usual up
town stroll, have a comfortable dinner at
the Westminster, and Il little Irritation
with Jessie Mabin, afterward, or to cross
the river and take a train for his broth
er's lovely place in Jersey. He told him
self. a. he was carefully b~uttoning his
right hand glove, that the cherries were
ripe, and that he really needed a little
fresh air and country milk.
But he knew Of Ear better reason yet,
if he would have acknowledged it; and
what Is more, other people knew it too.
Brother VIII WAS wise enough to credit
his pretty sister-in-law with Philips ne
markable access of fraternal affection, and
little Mona Zabriska herselfhad a shrewd
gsIess as to what kind Of cherries Mr..
Philip HAYS came to the country totaste-
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
a niceiiy they were taken of again, hut
the wearer might clasp the hands of the
dearest. sweetest, brightast little country
maiden that any man with the right
kind Of heart or eyes could desire 10 see.
What Philip said to Mona and what
Mona said to Philip, the eherry-trees and
the evening star probably know but it
was very delightful and 50 satisfying that
the young people came back 10 the house
without any cherries at all, and presently
there was a great deal of h~and-shakirrg
and kissing, which ended in a bottle Of
champagne and mutual good wishes.
Wei, after this, for couple Of weeks,
there was no hcsiiating at the office door.
Philip said strawberries now when
his friends rallied him about his sudden
passion for tie country, and the straw
berry excuse did just as well as the cher
ries.
But as the weather grew hotter, the
subject of summer resorts became upper
most. Philips mother and sister Were
going to some fashionable Virginia springs
and he greatly desired that his little No
mn ShoulS o., with Thorn
To tell the truth, we did wish she was
a little more stylish, and would put up
her curls, abandon aprons, and dress as
Jessie Mabin did. That would perfectly
satisfy him he thought. Yes. Mona Ia
brisk dressed like Jessie Mabin would
leave him nothing to desire.
He went about his plans with that tact
which young men who have sisters easily
acquire. 4 little present from Tifiany's,
and a podest check inst for spending
money" made his sister Cecilia sufficient
ly interested in his project.
"Nona is a dear little girl, Cecilia" he
said. ~All she wants is a more stately
manner and stylish dress"
~lf that is what YOU desire, Philip, why
did YOU not marry Jessie Mabin ? |
thought YOU liked her wen enough
Because Cecilia, | want a heart inside
the dress-a pure, fresh loving heart"
1T seems TO me" But here Cecilia
stopped. She was wise snough 10 know
she would he Throwing words away"
The next difficulty WAS to make Mona
delicately understand his wishes. and
induce her 10 accept the invitation sent
her by his mother and sister. He APP
preached her under the most favorable
circumstances; hemoonlight did moi be-
tray his confusion, and his encircling arm
held her - close to his heart that he had
no fear ofnoi securing attention if argu-
ment or explanation became necessary.
Il am - glad, Mona, that you are GO
ing with Cecile. am sure ii will do you
good" And then he stopped and kissed
her for emphasis.
Il 90 to please YOU Philip. l am quite
well, thank you.8
"oh, But / don't mean about your
health, Mona. You little witch, Who
could have such bright eyes and red lips
and not be quite well, mean about
dress and department, and those kind Of
things"
There was a little ominous silence, and
then a low grieved voice Il don't think
understand You, Philip"
No dear; and upon the whole / am
glad YOU have never understood 50 far.
You see, when NE are married we shall
live in the city, and We must behave and
dress as the city people do. Cecile will
show You all abou; ii, darling, 80 don't
trouble your pretty little head
Il thought you liked me Just as | am,
Philip. What is wrong in the city that is
proper and pretty in the country, will
you tell me?'
Certainly. Mona, Your loose flowing
hair and short Illnesses. and your frank,
familiar Ways, all SO perfectly charming
just here, would occasion remarks and
unpleasant criticisms in the city. want
my little girl Il be as fashionable and as
stylish as-as-well, as Jessie Mabin.r
"Ah she i your ideal. is she ,"
Much more 10 the same purpose, min.
gled with kisses and compliments. was
said, but nothing in il deceived the
wounded woman's heart. For Mona
though not a fashionable woman. was q
true woman. nevertheless, and understood
not only what had been said. hut also
all that had been left TO be inferred. II
Was not possible for him to leave his bus
insss entirely. but il had been arranses
that oGee a month he WAS TO pay a few
DAYS visit 10 the springs, and in the in
teryals be- refreshed and oomforted b,
regular and plentiful supplies of letters.
The supply was pnetty fair the fins
week. but EEL off gradually afterwani, I'm
I'll severed days passed without any tokel
Of Nona's faith and memory. Still h
did not feel much troubled. He though
he quite understood Nona's reasons. an.
at any rate he relied with implicit conf
dence O the effect which Philip HAYS il
his own proper person could not fail t
make.
This confidence did not agree witt
events. He arrived 1t the springs am
found Mona out driving with Jack Chris
iic-a young man whom ne p~articularlI