Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-01
AT THE STORES.
FAn the Year Round.l
CHAPTER 1.

CHAPTER l.
She was tired. A long day at the
utores, with July sun beating down
mon the building, is wearying; but
when 10 all the hsrassing calculations as
so the necessary details OF boys school
sntfit from woman's point of view. are
added the necessities from that same
boys point OF view, then is that woman 8
afe burden indeed.
"Oh, say, aunt, / don't want any
more pocket-hsndkerchiefs but can't
possibly so to school without decent
racquet
And when this same boy seems to have
solved the problem OF perpetual motion,
20 saw nothing OF an ubiquitous presence,
It is easy 10 understand the condition Of
mind and body with which Mrs. Dale
Finally suggested an adjournment 10 the
refreshment-room Five minutes before
abe had seen the boy descending with
interested face-which he vainly tried to
make isrdly and calm--in the lift, and
had rejoiced over the prospect OF some
peaceful moments over the contempla-
ton OF socks, and here he was at her
elbow again, with his usual preface to a
now want:
"Oh, | say, aunt. what rot !" with q
disguised glance at the pile of hose on
The counter. 81 call that waste OF money.
] shall never wear all those things. II
wonld be 20 much better 10 spend the
money on q little spirit-lamp and methy-
lated"
"And, pray, what part are those to
play?
"Oh, to boil fellows kettle or things.
You never know"
MY dear Steve. know nothing. l
thought | did till / came here. But
now am willing to own my ignorance.
Never will pretend to the knowledge of
n boys necessities again. ] am worn
out-and have become a philosopher.
We wear too many clothes. We ought
70 return to the simplicity of our arcos-
tors and clothe ourselves in blue paint
and a fishing rod. Let us 60 and have
eorne tea. Perhaps bun might be re-
Election Of some weight TO your mind
and body. II You cen sit still FIVE
minutes without moving or saying,
'Oh, say. aunt, you know, l will give
You seven.
He tucked bis arm with eager. grateful
affection iato hers, and led her OF TO the
refreskment room.
1t was crowded, but, after much i'm
portaBt eagernoss, with some slight POM
posity ss bcfitted the dignityO of his quest
In her service, he found her table. The
order Was given to the waiter, but
scarcely had the hoy sat down than he
bounced up again, having caught a
GLIMPSE Of a "fellow nj the further end
Of the room. His aunt leaned YEARLY
back In her chair, rs he plunged reck-
iesslv between the tables, looking after
him with shining. loving eyes, which sud-
denly dilated and darkened into amaze
mont, fear, anger, and a strange regret
frl pain. A man had suddenly risen
from one Of the tables between her and
The schoolbovs. She had not noticed
him rs he sat, but now, when h9 rose
and shut ont the distant prospect OF her
sturdy young nephew greeting his friend,
abe saw nothing else but this tall,
ehghtly-bnilt young man, with his face
still pale from a recent severe illness.
His night arm was in a sling. He caught
sirht of her at the same instant. He
hesitated for a second his pale face
growing paler Then he strobe quickly
toward her. She looked down for mo-
ment. toying with the parasol on her
knee. When she raised her eyes again
they were calm and cold.
"Maier Huddlestone she said with
the same cold brightness, " what On age
it is since We metf
"Major Huddlestone colored slightly
rs he took her hand, apologizing for
doing so with his left.
II know" she said hastily, her eyes
not quite 60 calm, but the waiter
brought up the tee and cakes, and at tho
same moment young Steve came plough
ing back through the tables, regardless
OF tho toes and feelings OF the occupiers
t"My nephew" che said to Major Hud-
-destone "and he is going to school in
the autumn, and his mother asked
me to bring him here to get his outfit.
His name is stephen Dale"
"Yes." said the Major.
Itvas nephew of her late husbands.
il made hun think of that husband.
Perhaps that was what she intended him
70 30. he thought, as he tugged Of bis
fair moustache and looked gravely ct the
hoy.
"And a jolly day we have had, too,
though aunt Is awfully tired. But We
shall have to come another day We
haven't half finished.
" We shall have 20 come another day,
enc said. smiling with sweetness that
was angelic, considering what she had
already Como through.
And then We shall see about that fish
ing-rod and things; aud oh, L say, aunt,
I really must have"
Another bun, said the Major. good !
Lumoredly. "lwish conld eat buns "
The boy looked up at him with scorn |
and some resentment.
There's nothing to speak Of in these !
buns could polish off dozen"
Elis aunt and the Major laughed and |
the sympathetic bond of that laughter |
seemed to draw them nearer each other. |
The brilliant GOODNESS of her society |
manner vanished.
"Sit down in that chair and talk TO /
us, she said genially, eff you are not |
IL a hurry.
Ii was hardly likely that he would I've
in hurry when he had not seen her for
fifteen years; but as he had never been
gifted with eloquence when his deep
feelings were concerned he could say
nothing now, and simply sat down on
the third chair at the little table. He
found it easier to look at and talk to the
boy.
"And 70 You are going TO SCHOOL,"
he said. What are you going to learn
70 be-?"
"Oh, a soldier. Aunt says that any
fellow she cared"
"Steve," said bis aunt with sweet
seyerity, "don't speak with your mouth