Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1888-05-04
BAB'S BONNET.

"Bab, | haven't $40 in the world and
the butchers ILL came in -st6rday.
Cheer up, little girl aud 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 o." The big brother Of Bah
Nixon cndcl his words with a geutle
touch upon rouad shoulder turned
pctu'ently away from him, and after
waiting a moment for word or a smile
from its owner in vain, his face clouted
slightly and he passed quick y out Of
the breakfast room.
As the sound Of his steps died away
one dismalIy wet blue eye appeared
furtiycly above a crapof li,en cambrie
crumplcd into a limp wad Of two baby
ish, dimpled hands, then the other eye
came out, until finally the whole
dishcvelled head was held dcfautly
erect.
The general storminess of the domes-
tic atmosphere seemed to have crcpt
even into Bab's saucy yellow bangs,
which pulled and cri,pcd in unexpected
kinks about the pretty low brow and
white temples as the silky fuzz about a
baby's head is wont to disport itself.
A breeze came ia just then through
the open window, thrown up to let in
the premature balminess OF the sunny
March morning, and blew some of the
loose locks intrusively aboul
her blue eyes. Up hsw th'
as very cross young voice cried, z
don't care! -do-not-caret will
emphasis. "If l cannot have new
bonnet l won't so to church with JACK
and his sister, whom l never saw.
think Ernest is perfectly mean, so there
As if | wasn't of as much Importance a
the nasty, bloody meat that he cats
bahl Butchers bill, indeed Jack al
ways notices, too, and he'll Lc sure Il
sec how perfectly NANCY my old blu'
feathers are getting, and his sister i
sure to have something straight from
Paris! II coull olIy make two rib
bons and bit of jet look as ravishins
as Kate Arbucklc does my bonnct
wouldn't cost so much, lut | can't, anC
| d mt care / should think Erncs
might let me get trusted Tor just thi
once, as long as he is going to get me
bonnet in little whilo any
mean to ask him this very morning, anC
it won't do any harm to stop o. the way
to the office and sec what Nine. Vau
rier has that will suit me Then l cal
tell Ernest how much it will cost"
Foolish little Barbara flew about tn,
dainty nest which the dear older brothe
had sheltered her IL through all thei
orphaned years; giving an approving
nod at her trim tailor made gown o
brown as she passed the long mirror Oh
her way out to interview Nine. Vaurie
about the much-desired bonnet.
'Just the thing for you 1t cam,
last night. Lizctte, bring the odd
blue affair, for Mile. Nixon" Truly
was it not 'Just the thins2" And oh
how blue her eyes and how suupy he
hair shone under thu exqulsit9ly prcttl
structure, which Madame nestled Will
assured touches upon her head Sh
really never knew how the matter cam,
about. Perhaps Madame talked to,
volubly to hear her objections or mari
her hesitation 1T made no difference
at all, " she assured Barbara, "whetne
the bonnet was paid for now or in tw,
months. She could not sell it to an,
one else without being dissatisfied, hav
ing seen it above Mldemoi9clle's COLDER
hair The bill would "bc in the boz
to be pal when her brother pie ascd,
and so little Barbara went out sure tina
her bonnet was above criticism, but no
quite so sure that here management o
the matter would bear as satisfactory ia
spection when She told Eraest. As sh
ran dowl Malame Viuri.r's broad ston
steps, a hat was lifted by some one VIII,
stool by an open coupe in front. 1t wa
Jack Smelling, who shot glance of ap
proval after her from his dark eyes, a
he passed up the steps with hi, sister,
Now to tell Ernest, thought Bah
as she laid aside her wraps AMI prepared
to greet her brothers retern with din
ncr Of his especial viaals, that shoulo
make him as wax in her hands.
Tho dinner hour came and Barbara
fresh as rose in her soft wool gown
was ready to '"fess up and be for
given. But when after waiting a lon:
Unity minutes beyond tho time mes
senger came intead with a hurried note
'of for Philadelphia; send my trap
aft,r me; care Walcs Brothers, !, ,24
Chestnut street. VIII write"-her hear
sank. Now, what was to be done
Clearly there was nothing except t
write and tell him all about 1t. s,th
rcxt day Ernests bag was packed an,
forwarded, and penitent letter wen