Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-20
(Ceednsed from yesserisy.)
BEAUTIFUL JIM.
By JoHU sTRAEGg vIETER

Bot. as It happened. she felt no desire
whatever 10 cut her visit short. and so
interested was she in the news al. and
the general atmosphere Of. the River
kouse. that she almost forgot the Deanery
pArty altogether. For when ale inquired
Tor Hrs. Antrobcs the maid told her tina,
ahs was At home. and Invited her to en-.
ter which sic did And as she followed
her Along the spacious hall-so much
Larger and Landowner than her owu-she
met Mss Baby. the youngest child Of the
house. now fast growing into long
legged. gawky girl. more Ike hen As
70 gait than anything else, and giving no
promise whatever In any way Of bloom
Ing by and by into the beauty Of her
sisters.
How do you do. deary' said little Mrs,
Traflord. gracioGsiy.
Quite well, thank You" returned
Baby.
Mrs. TraEord coaid not help thinking
now very blank and childish the face was
for that long legged. gawky girl.
that is.
I'm going upstairs with papa" said
Baby, ir9 portantly-and, by ths bye. she
had quite caught her mothers Inflated
voice, which eoatrasted oddly with her
srRosH room. lie is going to get out
the rL.ATEr'
"hh. you will like that" murmured
Mrs TraGord. passing on. and thinking
that they had evidently some entertain
ment on for that night; wondering. too.
little how IL was that she bad not been
asked to take part In i,-sor the family at
the River house were In general exceed
ingIy anxious TO secur. her presence at
their dinner parties-fAr more 50 than she
was 10 shed the rays Of her patronage
upon them.
Bat the little mystery was soon solved.
Tor she had not found herself chair 10
for. .ns perceived from Mrs Antrobus
manner that something Of unusual i'm
portancs was IN the air,
That. Of course. was so. for. with the
Antrobuses. q visit to tho strong room
meant an occasion Of the greatest i'm
portance Indeed. . strong room the
receptacle for plate and valuables at the
River house was all that could be desired.
1t was roomy and freproof. and was con
cealed from curious and prying eyes by
being secreted at the back Of an ordinary
cupboard II would have held, and with
room to spare, an ample supply OF plate
for . much larger family than could be
accommodated In the River house. SO
that the Antrobuses set Of entree dishes,
with the extra forks and spoons. looked
rather forlorn, reposing mee&y In one
corner thereof
Of course. being Of the same metal as
Mrs IIerrick Brentham's tea and coffee
service. they might very safely have re
NAMED In the excellent and commodious
buffers pantry below, but what was the
good Of having a strong room II you did
not use it. and what would have been the
good Of locking the door at all II you did
not do 30 with fitting solemuity and i'm
pOrtancef
They say time levels all things 1t Is
true. Once upon a time Hugh Antrobus
had boon used to be attended to the cere
mony of getting out The PLATE" by quite
. train Of adnliring observers. Polly-To-
To-Baby-a maid or two-and on oc-
casion. Mrs Antrobus herself. Now. alas
only Baby was there to remind him OF the
value which bad once been set on the
family entree dishes For Polly was in the
drawing room with her mother. listening
to the praises Of Mr. Mandarin, OF Thel-
ston house Liverpool, and of-Shanghai