Wichita eagle., 1888-07-06
BAB'S SPRING BONNET.

''Confound it, Bah, haven't $40 in the
world, and the butchers bill came in
yesterday Cheer up, little girl, and never
mind the new bonnet. Jack Smelling must
be no end of cad if he minds what kind
of frame your dear little face looks out
Of" The big brother of Bah Nixon ended
his words with q gentle touch upon >
round shoulder turned petulantly away
from him, and after waiting a moment for
a word or a smile from its owner in vain
his face clouded slightly and he passed
quickly out of the breakfast room.
As the sound Of his step died away one
dismaIly wet blue eye appeared furtively
above scrap of linen cambria crumpled
into limp wad, by two babyish, dimpled
hands; then the other eye came out, until
finally the whole disheveled head was held
defantly erect
The general storniness of the domestic
atmosphere seemed to have crept even
into Bab's saucy yellow bangs, which
futfed and crisped in unexpected kinks
about the pretty low brow and white tenn
Piles, as the silky fuzz about baby's head
is wont to disport itself. A breeze came
In just then through the open window.
thrown up to Let in the premature balni
ness of the sunny March morning, and
blew some of the loose locks intrusively
about her blue eyes. Up few the 6impled
hand to push them aside. as a very cross
young voice cried: Il don't carei do
not carel" with emphasis. IF l cannot
have a new bonnet l won't go with Jack
and his sister, whom l never saw |
think Ernest is perfectly mean, SO therel
As if ! wasn't of rs much importance as
the nasty, bloody meat that he eats, bahl
Butchers bill, indeedl Jack always no.
tices, too, and he'll be sure to see how
perfectly NANCY my old blue feathers are
getting, and his sister is sure to have
something straight from Parisl II could
only make two ribbons and bit of Jet
look as ravishing as Kate Arbuckle does.
my bonnets wouldn't cost SO much, but
can't, and don't carel
Il should think Ernest might let me get
trusted for one just this once, as long as
be is going to get me bonnet in little
while, anyway. mean to ask him this
vesy morning, and 1t won't do any harm
10 stop on the way to the Office and see
what Nine. Vaurier has that will suit
me. Then can tell Ernest how much it
will cost"
Foolish little Barbara few about the
dainty nest which the dear elder brother
had sheltered her In through all their
orphaned years, giving an approving nod
at her trim tailor made gown of brown as
she passed the long mirror on her way out
much desired bonnet.
Just the thing for you. It came last
night Lizette, bring the odd blue affair
for Mile. Nixon" Truly. was it not lust
the things" And OIL how blue her eyes
and how sunny her hair shone under the
pretty structure which
madame nestled with assured touches
upon her head. She really never knew how
the matter came about. Perhaps madame
talked too volubly to hear her objections
or mark her hesitation. 1T made no
difference at all. she assured Barbara.
whether the bonnet was paid for
now or in two months" She could not
sell it to any one else without being dis
having seen it above mademoi-
selle's golden hair" The bill would "be
In the box to be paid when her brother
pleased, and so little Barbara went out
sure that her bonnet was above criticism,
but not quite so sure that her manage
ment Of the matter would bear as salts
factory inspection when she told Ernest
As she ran down Nine. VauIier's broad
stone steps. a hat was lifted by some one
who stood by an open couPe In front. 1t
was Jack Smelling, who shot q glance Of
after her from his dark eyes as
be passed 7 p the steps with his sister.
Now to sll Ernest" thought Bah, as
she laid aside her wraps and prepared to
greet her brothers return with q dinner
Of his especial viands, that should make
him as wax in her hands.
The dinner hour came, and Barbara.
fresh as rose in her soft wool gown, was
ready to /" Tess up" and be forgiven But
when, after waiting hong thirty minutes
beyond the time, messenger came in
stead with q hurried note: of for Phil
sdelphia. Send my traps after me, care
Wsles Bros, 1244 Chestnut street. VIII
write. her heart sank. Now. what was TO
be done7 Clearly there was nothing ex-
sept to write and tell him all about it.
So the next day Ernest's bag was packed
md forwarded. and g penitent letter went
BY the first mail to Philadelphia
Day after day went BY and no letter
came in reply. No word from Ernest of
Any kind, as though to emphasize his dis
pleasure. Aunt Valerie, who was always
ready in an emergency. came to stay with
her. and then the great storm shut down
III communication from other cities, and
poor. miserable little Bah was left to
imagine all possible and impossible calarn-
|t&es as having befanen her brother. Some
Delay in sending home the bonnet hsd
been requested by Barbara. who was
little more uncertain as TO what Ernest's |
rigid sense of justice would prompt him |
to do. and then the storm further delayed |
The delivery Of the tell tale box.
But finally It came, and Bah locked her |
Delf into her room to open it with a
gone feeling" as she after
ward described It, She took of the soft |
|aRsr q white papss. oHt Of which seUShs |