The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-12-04

welcome. Then the baby was exhibited,
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 HerbertS In the study2".
at last Mabel asked,
"He's--out, dear"
"Good, don't be angry because I'm glad,
for we can haYe such a nice little chat.
You didn't expect me-"
"Of course l didn't"
"Well, didn't think of coming, as you
know, for a month. But thought it
would be so nice to surprise you.
so, I'm so gladr
! "And then Paul Is coming" she said,
blushing, "next week, to stay a month; he
| has business here, and he wanted me so
badly to be here too. l declare" she said,
laughing, "l'll have to marcy him soon, to
get rid of him."
90, Mabel! don't marry him unless you
are certain you'll be happyP' cried Alice,
hysterically. BE sure first he won't go to
!
ba-byr' she sobbed. ..r.,,,.
"what! is Herbert at pary9n queried
Mabel quite subdued
eyes, he is; and when told him could
not go on account of baby he said, hang
the ba-byr Yes, you little angel your own
father said those awful words,-~and then he
sl-slammed the door"
"Ies a viperr' exclaimed Mabel with
sudden vehcmence. GA nice way to treat
wife like you-a baby like that But why
couldn't you leave the babyP'
because he was threatened with the
Group last week"
But he's well enough now-sleeps de-
liciously. He'll not wake up all the night,
perhaps And the nurse would have taken
good care of him."
81 should haye been thinking of fire,
Group and all that"
20, nonsensel You ought to have gone.
But Herbert has no right to behave as he
did, and he must be punished" and Mabel
threw her wraps on the bed and took her
seat by the glowing fire. 'It won't do to
let him get the upper hand. All! ] have
it! I've thought of a splendid plan. A
charming, delightful pot."'
And she clappcd her hands in glee,
80, Mabel, what is itP'' and Alice sat
down at her sisters feet, gazing in her face
with eXpectant smiles. "lThat are you
going to do?"
I'm not going to do it. l shall stay
here and watch the baby, You are to 60
to the party"
mabel! Impossiblet'
"Quite possible, In fact, 1t must be
done You must not let Herbert see that
you are as protty as anybody, and quite as
much to be admired. 1t is decided. You
are to 90 to the party and play part. Let
me arrange the programme"
but, Mabel, haven't dress prepared
or anything. gave up going a week
ago, you see, when baby was threatened
with the Group"
"Pshaw! You shall wear one of mine
one of the most bewitching, bewildering of
dresses-bought from my last allowance
from Uncle Curtis. Only to see it will
throw you into ecstasies. Worth meyer
composed anything more lovely. | want to
see it on you. Come, come, call your
maid; l am all impatience, IFe'll shame
your bad husband into good behavior, see
if we don't. No irresolution. 1 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 whoever
your coachman is, to get the carriage-if
that is impossible, send for a cab"
In less than an hour Mabel led her sister
to the great French mirror and laughingly
introduced her to the loveliest 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
emphatic expression concerning the baby.
, She was treasured, however, by Mrs.
, Momtjoy's hearty welcome. -.r.s
''Pm so glad you'ye come, my DEAR
e she said, "Your husband said he feared
E baby would keep you at home. but told
t him that was all nonsense. You did right
G TO consider the matter"
Herbert, like many handsome society
men was a little spoiled and selfish, with
ont knowing it, he loved Alice devotedly
but he was not unwilling to receive tn,
= sweet smiles and honeyed words of Others
while with mans inconsistency, he was
not DESTROYS that his wife should play tn,
? part of a married belle. 1t was while hC
n was dancing with one of the most noted
n and beautiful women of the metropolis
who was willing to listen to his nonsense
|, that Herbert, looking up from the fac,
1 leaning against his shoulder, while tn,
T. dreamy waltz music thrilled the hear
o sensitive to sadness as to JOY" encounter
1 ed the sparkling face of his wife arrayet
d in thu freshest and most graceful costum,
p in the room. she was moving quietl,
along with an escort in uniform.
# "Pray, don't stumble said his wifi
petulanlly, for at that moment the gran,
Is repose of her manner was gone, and III
i lady on his arm might have been made o
IS wax Of wax or any other ductle materia
= for all he cared now.
d "How the dckins came she here2" h
a muttered to himself as he led his partne
absently to a seat deaf to all her prett
e. words, blinded to her destinations 1t eel
le tainly is Alce-but that dress, the pret
Is tiest thing here. And left her quite de
ID termined not to come. / don't understan
c. it. Dancing with that puppy, Guinett
RS too. She knows hate him."