Wichita eagle., 1889-02-09

she ended with gasp. Yes, there it was,
in good round figures-s25:
To one imported straw bonnet. as 90
To one bird on same... 10 90
g 90
Received payment
81 25. %! 20! 81 Is, %. They danced
crafty before her eyes as she sank In a
dazed little heap on the floor. What would
Ernest says She was but seventeen, and it
never occurred to her uabusinesslike 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 penny
Of Aunt Valerie on pain of his deepest dis
approval. He was so proud and honest,
that manly brother, and she "nasty little
selfish thing had dared to call him
"mean." "He was worth hundred Jack
Snellings, so there
That very evening Jack called with his
sister, who was very kind and cordial in
her gentle, reserved way, and the invita-
tons for Easter Day were resumed with
some wellbred insistance upon learning
that her brother was absent and Aunt
Valerie was to join them But there was
good "stuf' in Bab's sturdy little boy after
all, and even while her eyes took in the quiet
elegance of Miss Mildred SnellIng's attire,
she was coming to Spartan resolution.
She would 60, but she would not wear an
unpaid-for bonnet. Somehow, she felt bet
ter after that,n and when a telegram ar
rived before Easter saying that Ernest
would return the next Monday, she was
quite ready with smiling welcome to greet
the unexpected announcement of--Mr.
Smelling. Something Jack had to say kept
him in such ferment that he could not
wait; SO he had called to put it TO the test
and win or lose.n But somehow matters
did not progress just as Jack had antici-
pated. For when he had told her in his
most manly way how dear she was, and all
that he wanted her to promise, Bah simply
buried her blue eyes in two dimpled
little hands and sobbed. s' You wouldn't!
Oh, you wouldn't, if you knew what,
what ho-orrid little wretch I
ami" And then, the ice once broken
for the revelation, she told Jack all the mis-
cradle tale. When she got through she
waited-not word came from Jack. "Oh,
my, he was too disguised with her to
speakr She "knew he would be-" and be-
gan to sob afresh. This was too much, and
Jack drew away the hot hands and wet
handkerchief to show her his own eyes,
dancing with suppressed laughter. Didn't
you get any mail tonight" he said at last.
Moves is, I got a-Oh, /
never looked at i'll Some one came in,"
she stammered wonderingiy. "Well, go
and get it, please, nowr' said Jack, releas-
ing her. to run out and return with an en-
velope, which she tore hastily open-"Mme.
Vaurier's bill-receiptedm she gasped.
"What does it mean!" "Read, and you
will see," said Jack mime Vaurier hap
pens to be Afildred's milliuer as well, and
as she made some purchase the same date
you did, the book-keeper has mixed the bills
and sent them to the wrong brothers, that IS
all. Ny sisters bill is probably awaiting
your brothers return at his Office Sup
pose you let the matter go, as it will be,
hope, but short time till 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 and IN
sisted 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 cinging, pale blue dress,
leaning against the deep maroon hanging
of the archway. Her dark lashes, in start
ling contrast with her yellow hair, almost
rested on her cheeks, trif1e pale now, as
she realized the serious and sacred sweet
ness of the new tie.
g 1t il kind Of you, Jack to wish to shield
me from modification at my own folly, but
l can not wear it until Ernest has forgiven
me, and he is the only one yet with shy
little emphasis), who has right to buy
my bonnets will not wear it tomorrow"
"Oh, yes, you will, little one, said voice
behind the draperies, as they swung apart
and Ernest Nixon caught the startled girl
in his arms as they entered the room. 1T
was rather mean to listen, Jack, but finding
q bill for my sisters bonnet, with your sig
nature, on my table, upon my premature ar
rival tonight, 1 naturally looked up prompt
solution OF the situation. It's all right, and
Ii you look in before you leave I'll give you
q check for your autograph
"You may as well hand me my sisters
bill, which you Will find among your papers
somewhere, at the same time" said Jack,
And the next day two new bonnets met
upon the heads OF their fair owners, with
such damage to the heart of Ernest Nixon
hat when he told Jack and Bah later, of
bis successful business venture in Philadel-
phia, he also added that before next Easter
be proposed that they should exchange their
sisters bonnet bills permanently, propo-
sition which was promptly accepted.-Hart-
ford Times.