The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-06

cut ana ErneSl hoo oa'' "' "" "'
"ten." "Oh. what wicked selfish. vain
- Oh. my goo-oednessl she ended
with gasp Yes. there It was. in good
round fgures-$2j:
To one imported straw bonnet ............Si500
To one bird Gu same ............,........... 1000
$500
Received payment
25l 25l 20l 20l 25l 25l 25l They
danced crafty before her eyes as she sank
in dazed little heap on the floor What
would Ernest say2 She was but II,
and it never occurred to her unbusi-
nesslike ideas that Nine. Vaurier was
taking advantage OF her, and that she
could send the bonnet back. Aunt Valerie
had money, but Ernest had forbidden her
ever to borrow a penny Of Aunt Valerie on
pain of his deepest disapprovai He was
SO proud and honest. that manly brother,
and she, "httle selfish thing, had dared
to call him mean" He was worth
hundred Jack SneIlings. SO there. p"
That very evening Jack called with his
sister. who was very kind and cordial in
her gentle. reserved way. and the invita-
tions for Easter day were resumed with
some well bred insistence, upon learning
that her brother was absent and Aunt
Valerie was TO join them. But there was
good stuff in Bab's sturdy little body
after all, and even v-Lile her eyes took in
the quiet elegance Of Miss Mildred Smell
ins's attire, she was coming to Spartan
resolution She would go. but she would.
not wear an unpaid for bonnet. Some
how. she felt better after that. and when
a telegram arrived before Easter saying
that Ernest would return the next Mon
day, she was quite ready with a smiling
welcome to greet the unexpected an
nouncement of-Mr. Snalling Something
Jack had to say kept him In such fer
ment that he could not wait; so he had
called to put it to the test and win or
lose" But somehow matters did not pro
gress just as Jack had anticipated For
" hen he had told her in his most manly
way how dear she was. and all
Niidk Lo ndhlth W iiObiSt, tdD
simply buried her blue eyes in two
dimpled little hands and sobbed "You
wouldn't Oh. you wouldn't. if you knew
what. what a ho-orrid little wretch am"
And then the ice once broken for the rev
elation, she told Jack all the miserable
tale. When she got through she waited
not a word came from Jack "0h. my.
he was too Disguised with her to speak"
She knew he would be and began to
sob afresh This was too Hslch. and Jack
drew away the hot hands and wet hand
kerchef TO show her his ow', eyes. dane
ing with suppressed laug- Ter Didn't
you get any mail to-n.. NJ he said at last
No-yes-uot-that is. | got a-Oh.
never looked at i'll Some one came in, ="
she stammered wonderingly s"Wel. go
and get it. please. nowl" said Jack. re
leasing her. to run out and return with an
envelope. which she tore hastily open
Nine. Vaurers bill-receiptedr' sue
gasped What does it mean?' Read
and you will see, said Jack Mime
Vaurier happens to be Mildred's milliner
as we'll and as she made some purchase
the same date that you did, the book
keeper has mixed the bills and sent them
to tho wrong brothers, that is all Nv
sisters bill is probably awaiting your
brothers return at his Office Suppose
you let the matter go. as it will be- Hope.
but short time till l may pay all your
bills unquestioned That is for you to
say"
1t was answered satisfactorily, no doubt
for very rosy little Bah gathered herself
resolutely together half hour later aud
insisted upon taking the bill into the
library. where it should meet her brothers
eye the first thing upon his return A lit
tie later she stood in her clinging. pale
blue dress. leaning against the deep maroon
hangings Of the rehway Her dark