Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-17

sOh, the poor fellow shall make no sacri-
fees, and wouldn't hurt his dear feelings
for the world" Prissie avowed, with some
sincerity, perhaps, even if she was so
saucily ironic and her voice so instinct with
fun and mystery. "If you want your gown
without any more fussing or Tuning, just
give me license to manage your Lemuel for
a little while. Where does he keep his ward
robe and gew-gaws and all that ?'
Mrs. Parckley looked somewhat amused
and puzzled and very inconvincile; but that
Miss Prisse had an irresistible gift of peru
aston, there is not the slightest doubt.
Some time later that day, Mr.. Lemuel
Parckley was sitting in his Office, resting,
perhaps, momentarily from his depressing
and arduous labors, his feet reposing on his
desk, and choice cigar between his lips
He was occupied with a book-something
of the scarlet and booming order-which
he possibly deemed especially refreshing
when business was so onerous and dull,
when the door was timidly opened to admit
a living vision which he fancied the pretti-
est he had ever beheld.
She looked so innocent and piquant, SO
shy, and yet so fearless, so altogether
charming-even if her attire was old and
frayed and not at all befitting the wearer.
The attire seemed somehow familiar,
too, which notion seemed explained when
she announced that he was not entirely I'M
known to her.
She knew him as a philanthrophist in his
own diffident and unacknowledged fashion,
as gentleman who never declined to aid
people who were needy and distressed
And she had come in behalf of dear,
sweet lady, whose needs were distressing
indeed.
The sweet, hapless lady, had big, self
ish, ugly husband, who had left her-actu-
ally left her in absolute want of what was
most necessary. And she was such foolish,
tender little wife, she would never fight
for her rights; she did not want him punish
ed; he might turn from the error of his
ways and do better by-and by! But, in the
meantime, she was suffering from posi-
tive want.
sBut she ought to have him punished;
such a man does not deserve wife A
husband worthy of the name, will never
permit his wife to want for anything-even
if the want were the most trifing and in
significant" Mr.. Parckley FASTENED to de-
clare with fervent Indignation. "And I
shall be pleased to relieve her pressing
need-if only to crafty her charming
friend" he added, with gallantry and an
| =
81 did not mean to ask aims, precisely"
she explained with bewildering SMILE
''But should like to dispose of diamond
scarf pin, which she only values because it
has been worn by some one who once loved
her. The stone is genuine, and it is worth
seventy five dollars, should think. F."
cit is worth double that, and MORE" he
remarked candidly, as he inspected the
jewel, which, with suddenly and oddly
embarrassed blush, she had placed on the
desk beside him. 81 do not know as
should care to purchase it, however; al
ready have something Of the kind.
might conveniently advance the amount
you mentioned; there is possibility of
your friend some time desiring to reclaim
it. But''-and then he hesitated-not be-
cause business was SO lamentably stagnant
and his exchequer SO deplorably depleted,
but because he had just begun to ponder
whether he would risk transaction so
absurdly unbusiness-like, and all for the
sake ola too charming vision with be-
wildering smile and beguiling voice.
But the voice and the vision triumphed,
and his visitor presently departed with an
exuitant sparkle beneath her demurely-
lowered lashes and roll of fresh and crisp
| bank notes tucked snugly in the pocket of
the the worn old jacket she had appropri-
ated from peg in the Parckley garnet.
| 81 have done rather idiotic thing, l
suppose, but the girl was so uncommonly
pretty I am not sure l should choose to
have Carrie know anything about the trans
action; but then it is only bit of business
she isn't expected to understand, of course, -
he cogitated, as some time later he walked
back to his house and entered the pleasant
room he had left few hours before.
| Mrs. Parckley was still sitting before her
dainty workable, but she was no longer
engrossed with rebellious tears and vex-
tious buttons. The wifely countenance
was radiant, and she was jubilantly survey
ing the yet uncut glory of the coveted hello
tlope silk which had been unrolled in a
glistening volume upon chair beside her
| MIR. Parckley frowned severely; Of course
his shrewd and comprehensive perceptions
grasped the truth of the matter at once
Mrs. Parckley had been indulging her
nonsensical extravagances by the ruinous
system Of credit
81 am amazed, Carrie; am astonished,
my dear, at your lack of consideration-at
your foolish expenditure-whenb business is
so dull and money so scare. And I most
emphatically disapprove of such rash and
expensive whims, at any time, my dear, %
he began, with magisterial austerity
But just then silken skirt rustled near
him; there was a little sound suspiciously
like a glrlsh litter, and he turned to con
front the audacous and beguiling Prissie
the naughty conspirator, who had plan
ned selling him his own diamond pin that
his wife might have the needed dress he
grudged her
81 believe my sister has already made
| inf d mil J.,
wife said somewhat nergously, and as if
she we're nobly resisting wicked tempt
alton to smile
| Il r-believe-believe she has,
said he, conscious of wild yearning to be-
come instanteously invisible, and so remain
for evermore. "And am rather afraid, Miss
Prissie, you really intended to sell some
thing beside the scarf-pin to-day" said he,
attempting pretense of hilarity, and look
ing as if he felt the nonplussing Jest not
altogether undeserved.
"And didn't do it nicely? You know,
when you went away this morning you did
leave your wife in want-in want of we'd
ding garment, l meant of course" Prissie
said, coaxingly as she lifted her saucy lips
for a kiss of amity.
'Well, don't purpose to spoil your lit
tie joke" he answered, with heroic eff
fort to regain his equanimity. "But
might though, if I should intimate re-
cognized Carries old jacket and scarf
pin which happened to be my own.
might hint am not idiot enough to advance
money on my own property; but could not
be ungallant enough to do that prefer
to let you enjoy your pleasantly, you
know"
The modest speech was not appreciated
evidently; the saucy Prissie laughed out
right, and Mrs. Parckley smiled increduous-
| ly.
81 fancy in the future I shall get my
gowns without an exhortation upon the
scarcity of money" Mrs. Parckley thought
| with some not unnatural satisfaction.
Orchard Work for March.