The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-05-08
MRS. THOMPSON'S ERROR.


MI. John thompson came down to
breakfast rosy and fossy, and looking
as happy as amy reasonable man might
desire. His wife sat smiling at tho
head of the table and his little daugh-
ter, Maude Amalia, Oh one side; while
to crown the measure Of his content,
broiled spring g-chicken and water crosses
his favorite st-dish-greeted
his gratiIied gaze.
$50 spring has come already, has 1t?"
said Thompson, with a glance at the
vernal fowl and its verdant accompani-
ment.
Eyes, indeed" responded Mrs.
Thompson, as She smilingly poured out
the coffee; and then, with pensiye
look. she contnued: II was at Madame
Robinette's yesterday, looking at the
spring bonnets"-a slight shadow pass
ed over Thompson's face-"the lowell
est thing that I ever beheld, and so
cheap"
"Ahl,.' said Thompson, absently
munching cross.
II tried on one,' continued Mrs. II.
"a most exquisite white hat, with
seven pink ostrich tips. 1t really made
me look ten years younger.
You're young enough. - said her
husband, a. little abruptly. "Y ou
wouldn't like to look like a school
girl.'
"And then just stepped into Field
u Foster's," resumed Mrs. Thompson,
''and really it was as good as a museum
to see the exquisite spring dress goods.
There was brocaded spring silk-rose-
buds on q dark ground-Which so OK,
fn ,,>1n
that 1t really seemed to have been made
for mo. I thought I would go right
over to-day and get it before it is snap
ped up by some one else. It's only
thirty-five dollars"
Thompson WINGED He began to un-
derstand about the true inwardness Of
the early spring-chicken and crosses.
"My dear, couldn't you wait awhile?
have just at this time a pressing use
for every dollar that I can command.
Next week. n
But Mrs. Thompson had set down her
coffee cup, and was drawing forth her
pocket et-handlcrchcf.
81 knew you'd refuse!' she said,
husl1ily.
but, Maggie, woman cannot al
ways understand what pressing need
her husband may sometimes have for
money in his business affairs. If yott
will only watt
"And let that hateful Mrs. NIurchie
get the silk
just here the door bell rang, and Miss
Maude Amalia jumped down from her
high chair and ran to answer it.
TITS your letters and papers, papan'
sho cried, holding them up. land one
of 'eln smells SO nice, just like mammals
pretty bottles Oh her bureau"
Thompson looked at the missive in
question. SO did his wife; and she
noticed that it was in lady's hand
writing, and directed to "Mr. John
Thompson
She watched him as he glanced over
the first few lines. Then he looked at
the signature, smiled-a constrained
and furtive smile-and folding the note,
without finishing it, glanced at his
wife, colored little and slipped it un-
der the papers beside his plate.
''WhO IS that pcrfumed envelope
from?" inquired his wife.
"Why, u sort Of business note.n he
answered indifferently.
''From lady?" said Mrs. Thomp-
son, suspiciously.
"Yes-from a lady," he answered,
reluctantly. Hg
"What business can a lady have with
your"
"Only little private business mat
ter. / will tell you in day or two.
Why" glancing up at the clock. and
. then consulting his watch, 'it's later
than I thought by ten minutes. l must
hurry"
And he did hurry, and IN his haste
went up stairs for something he had
forgotten, leaving tho letters on the
table.
Mrs Thompson did not allow the OPP
portunity to pass unimproved. She
listened till she heard her husbands
footsteps on tho top stair, and then,
drawing forth the perfumed note,
hurriedly opened it, and read as fol-
lows:
''DEAR J.:-Where were you last
EVENING" looked Tor you all the time,
but in vain. Romeo and Juliet was
lovely. Romeo reminded me Of you.
Thanks for your lovely liliesl Do you
remember what you said to me on
tuesday, while eating ice cream on the
balcony? Well, l have though it all
over. and concluded that it will be the