Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-08-14

"But where's Herbert? In the
study?" at last Mabel asked.
"He's-out, dear"
"Good! don't be angry because Pm
glad, for we can have such nice lit
tie chat. You didn't expect me-" 1
"Of course / didn't"
well, didn't think of coming, as
you know, for amonth. But thought
it would be so nice to surprise you"
"Oh, Pm so gladp
"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.
| DECLARE" she said, laughing, "I'n
have to marry him soon, to get rid of
HIM"
ooh, Mabel! don't marry him I'M
less you are certain you'll be hap
py!" cried Alice, Historically. "Be
sure first he WON'T 60 to parties, and
leave you alone-with the ba-by!"
she sobbed.
"What! is Herbert at a party ?"
queried Mabel, quiet subdued.
eyes, he is; and when 1 told him
| could not go on account of baby, he
said hang the ba-byp Yes, you
little angel, your own father said
those awful words-and then he
sl-slammed the door,"
"He's viper!" exclaimed Mabel,
with sudden vehemence. GA nice
way to treata wife you-a baby like
that! But why couldn't you leave
baby?"
because he was threatened with
the Group last week."
"But he's well enough now--sleeps
deliciously. He'll not wake up all
the night, perhaps. And the nurse
would have taken good care of him."
81 should have been thinking of
fire, Group, and all that"
Oh, nonsense! You ought to have
gone. But Herbert had no right to
behave as he did,. and he must be
punished;" and Mabel threw her
wraps on the bed add took her seat
by the glowing fire. at won't do to
let him get the upper hand. All! l
have it! I've thought of a splendid
plan! A charming, delightful plot"
And she. clapped her hands in glee.
"Oh, Mabel, what is ?" and Alice
sat down at her sisters feet, gazing
in her face with eXpectant smiles.
"What are you going to do?"
"Tm not going to do it. l shall
stay here and watch the baby. You
are to go to the party"
''Mabel! Impossiblev'
"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, l haven't dress pre-
pared-or anything. Igayeup 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,
I bewildering Of dresses-bought from
my last allowance from Uncle Curtis.
Only to see it will throw you into &C.
stacies. Worth never composed any
thing more lovely. / want to see it
on you. Come, come, call your maid;
am all Impotence. Well shame
your bad husband into good behavior,
see if we don't. No irresolution. |
will stay at home and fancy myself
mistress here, and count your pict-
ures vaces and pretty things, and cata-
lOgue them, so as to make mamma
happy with a letter tomorrow. Or
der John, or Jack, or Bill, or who
ever your coachman is, to get the car
riage-if that is impossible, send for
a cab"
In less than an hour Mable had her
sister to the great French mirror, and
laughingly introduced her to the
loveliest woman she had ever seen.
Alicer tembled a littles when she
found herself actually on the way to
Mrs. Montjoy's; buther sisters urgent
will had conquered, and her heart was
hardened by Herbert's emphatic ex-
preston concerning the baby. She
was treasured, however, by Mrs.
f Montjoy's hearty welcome.
"Pm so glad you've come, my
dear" she said. "Your husband said
he feared baby would keep you at
!, home; but | told him that was all
nonsense. You did right to recon-