The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-06-21
$500

To one imported straw bonnet. .........S $500
To one bird on same. me...........,....... 1000
$25. 90
Received payment
%! %! 20! 20! 25l %! %! They
danced craziy before her eyes as she
sank in dazed little heap on the floor.
What would Ernest say? She was but
II, and it never occurred to her unbu5i-
nesslikc ideas that Madame Vaurier was
taking advantage of her, and that she
could send the bonnet back. Aunt Va
lcrie had money, but Ernest had forbid
den her ever to borrow penny of Aunt
Valerie Oh pain of his deepest dlsap-
proval. He was so proud and hon est,
and she, ''nasty little selfish thing, " had
dared to call him ''mean." "IIe was
worth hundred Jack SnelIings, so
thCre!'
That very evening Jack called with
his sister, who was very kind and cor
dial IN her gentle, reserved way, and
the Invitations for Easter day were re-
newed with some well-bred insistence,
upon learning that her brother was alb
sent and Aunt Valerie was to join them.
But there was good stuff in Bab's
sturdy little body after all, and even
while her eyes took in the quiet ele-
gance of Miss Mildred SnelIing's attire
she was coming to Spartan's
resolution. She w0u'd go, but
she would not wear an I'M
paid for bonnet, Somehow she felt bet
ter after that, and when telegram ar
rived before Sunday, saying that Ernest
would return the next Monday, 5 he was
quite ready with a smiling welcome to
greet the unexpected announcement of
Mr.. Smelling. Something Jack had
to say kept him in such a ferment that
he would not wait, so he had called to
''put it to the test and win or lose. "
But somehow matters did not progress
just as Jack had anticipated. For,
when he had told her in his most manly
way how dear she was, and all that he
wan ted her to promise, Bah simply
buried her blue eyes in two dimpled
hands and sobbed: "You wouldn't!
Oh, you wouldn't, if you knew what,
what ho- orrid little wretch I am! =
And then, the ice once broken for the
revelation, she told Jack all the mi8er-
able tale. When she got through she
waited-not a word came from jack.
30 my, he was too disgusted with her
to speak!' she "knew he would be"
and began to sob afresh. This was too
much, and Jack drew away
the hot hands and wet hand
kerchief to show her his
own eyes, dancing with suppressed
laughter. 'Didn't you get any mail
tonight?" he sail at last. mo yes
not-that is, 1 got a-oh, I never
looked at It'll Some one came in," she
stammered, wonderingly, 'WeI, go
and get it, please, now," said Jack, re-
leasing her, to run out and return with
an envelope, which she tore hastily
open. Mime, Vaurior's bill, receipt.
cd!' she gasped. 'What does it
mcanp 'Read, and you will see,"
said Jack. 'Mme. Vaurier happens to
be Mildred's milliner as we'll, and she
made somo purchase the anne date that
you did. The bookkeeper has mixed
the bills and sent them to the wrong
brothers, that is all. My sisters bill is
probably awaiting your brothers return
at his office. Suppose you let the mat
ter go, as it will be, I hope, but a short
time till may pay all your bills un-
questioned. That is for you to say"
1t was answered satisfactorily, no
doubt, for very rosy little Blb, gath.
cred herself resolutely together a half
hour later and insisted upon taking the
bill into the library, where it should
meet her brothers eye the first thing
upon his return. A little later she stood
in her clinging, paIe-blue dress, leaning
against the deep saloon hangings in the
archway. Her dark lashes, III startling