The Washington critic., 1886-09-15
WASHINGTON CRITIC
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER IL, 1896
BABY'S PAPA HERBERT.


door behind him. Alice stood looking
at the door, growing whittier and winter.
Then she gave heart. t.breaking cry,
and fell on her knees by the cradle,
and, hiding her face in her hands,
sobbed bitterly. She had looked for.
ward so long to this particular party
1t was given by Mrs. Mountjoy, one of
the leaders of society. She had not
asked Herbert to give 1t up also, aud
even said there was no reason why he
should stay at home; but still in her
heart Of hearts she hoped he would.
"He said Hang the baby yes, he
did, darling" she murmurod, with in
dignant emphasis, as she bent over
the little unconscious sleeper. at was
your papa who said that, and he has
gone TO brilliant party with such
thoughts of his wife and child. Did
you come, dearest, to estrange us from
each other ?"
This awful idea called forth flood
of bitter tears.
She pictured the gay assomblage and
her Herbert dancing with young girls,
smiling on others, and leaving her at
home TO die of heart break
Her Imagination, always too vivid,
viewed him in his triumph, until her
misery took almost the form of mad.
ness.
Gle didn't want me TO go" she said;
she acted us If he didn't, and then he
pretended TO throw all the blame on
that dear helpless baby"
Suddenly she heard the sound of car
riage wheels outside; they stopped mt
the door; the bell rang, and fairy. like
figure stood on the threshold Of the
room, In all the wistfulness of expect
ancy, with dimpling smiles and laugh
"Oh, Mabel" cried Alice, starting to
her feet with a glad cry. "This is,
indeed, q surprise. I'm so glad you
como. My darling sister"
Forthwith ensued q scene of raptur-
GUS welcome. Then the baby was ex-
hibited, and one would not have
dreamed that tear had ever stained
the cheek of the proud mother Then
the VISITORS trunks were ordered to be
carried up stairs.
"But where's Herbert? In the
study ?" at last Mabel asked.
"Hes out, dear"
Good Don't be angry because Pm
glad, for we can have such nice
little chat, You didn't expect me?'
"Of course didn't"
"Well, didn't think Of coming, as
you know, for q month. But /
thought 1t would be so nice to surprise
YOU"
ooh, I'm so glad"
"And then, Paul is coming" she
said, blushing, "neXt week to stay q
month; he has business here, and he
wanted me so badly to be here, too.
declare" she said, laughing, "I'l
have to marry him soon to get rid Of
him."
"Oh, Mabel don't marry him unless
cried Alice, hysterically. "Be sure,
first, he won't go to parties and leave
you alone with the BABY ?" she
sobbed
What is Herbert at party?"
queried Mabel, quite subdued.
Eyes, he Is; and when | told him
could not go on account Of the baby,
he said hang the ba-byH Yes, you
little angel, your own father said
those awful words-and then he
sl-Slummeu lle uOOr.
Hes a viper!" exclaimed Mabel,
with vehemcnce. "You ought to have
gone. But Herbert has no right to be-
have as he did, and he must be pun
ished," and Mabel threw her wraps on
the bed, and took her scat by the glow
ing fire. 1T won't do to let him get
the upper hand. Ahl have i'll I've
thought of splendid plan. You are
to go to the party"
"Mabell lmpossiGlc"
"Quite possible. In fact, It must be
doro. You must let Herbert see that
you are as pretty as anybody and quite
as much to be admired. You shall
wear one Of mine-one Of the most be-
witt hing, bcwilderiug of dresses
bought from my last allowance from
Uncle Curtis. Only TO see it will throw
you into ccstacles. Worth never com.
posed anything more lovely"
In less than an hour Mabel led her
sister to the great French mirror and
laughingly introduced her to the lowell.
est and best.dressed woman she had
ever seen.
Alice trembled little when she
found herself actually on the way TO
AIRS, Mountioy's; but her sister had
conquered, and her heart was hardened
by Herbert's emphatic expression con-
cerning the baby. She was reassured,
however, by Mrs. Mountjoy's hearty
welcome
"Tm so glad you've come, my dear" 1"
she said. Your husband said he
feared baby would keep you at homy 4;
but | told him that was all nonsense.
You did right to reconsider the mat
n fer"
s Herbert, like many handsome society
men, was little spoiled and selfish
without knowing 1t. lie loved Alice
. deyotedly, but he was not unwilling to
receive the sweet smiles and honeyed
words Of Others.
1t was while he was dancing with
one OF the most noted and beautiful
women of the metropolis, who was
willing to listen to HIS nonsense, that
Herbert, looking up from the face lean
ing against his shoulder, while the
dreamy waltz music thrilled the heart
sensitive to sadness as to joy,' en-
counteIed 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
partner petulantly, for at that moment
the grand repose Of her manner wa
gone and the lady on his arm might
have been made Of wax or any other
ductilr material for all he cared now.
"HOw the dickens came she hereY
he muttaed to himself as he led hi.
partner alsently to seat, deaf to al
her pretty words, blind to her fascina
tions.
1T certainly is Alice-but that dress
the rretliest thing here And lef
her quite determined not to come.
don't understand it, Dancing with
that puppy, Guinctt, too. She knows
1 hate him"