The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-09-26

knowing look at her companions.
"Sick ell?"
"Well, that is all the more reason, in
terupted Mrs. Deacon White, stepping
within. that is all the more reason that
we should see her Go tell your mistress
delegation awaits her coming" and
without more ado the committee filed
into the parlor.
"They looks as if they'd got a funeral
on hand whispers the help TO Miss
Titus, "or prayer meetin' or sumthin'
very solemn.
"But can't be seen, groaued Miss
Titus. "Just look at my face"
81 told 'em you was sick, said the girl,
commiseratingly viewing the face upon
which the pincAng, scalding, and
"lotion-ing" had done their perfect work.
"I told 'em you was sick, and you can
les hint like bout airysipeas or scarlet
fever, OF anythin' what leaves red,
pimpley skim you know"
ayes, yes, sighed Miss Titus, re-crean-
| ing her almost raw skin and then plenti-
fully bedaubing herself with powder. II
suppose l will have to make some such
an apology for my appearance, as she
heroically descended to the parlor.
"Gracious mel exaculated Mrs. Brown,
feeling for her smelling salts, whatever
\ is the matter with your face, Sarah Ann2"
| Miss Titus gazed at the concentrated
faces Of the committee ? gasped out
something which might have been Cere-
bro-Spinal- -Menengetis, Erysipelas, or
nylhing else under the sun.
ALLOW me to congratulate you, Mrs.
Smith," presently said Mrs. Deacon
White, wishing heartily for bit Of
camphor the while, "though, for u bride,
l must say you do present a most de-
plorable appearance.
"A bride!" echoed Miss Titus, the
blotches upon her face turning the hue
of fine royal purple. Nc bride!'
"There is no need for further secrecy,
Sarah Ann responded Mrs Brown.
"The fact of Deacon Smith being shut up
here for days mall the acknowledgment
of ycur marriage necessity, it seems to
me.
deacon SMITH Shut uphere for daysl"
gasped Miss Titus, showing strong synlp-
toms of hysteria. "Why of all thingsl"
At this juncture the frowzy head of
the help appeared at the Parlor door.
Deacon Smith ma'aml" she an
nounced with giggle, "and he says as
how he wants to see you alone, all by
yourself, maam.
The look of virtuous indignation upon
the faces of the "rising" committee,
added to Miss Titus's confusion.
II wouldn't see him for the world,
| Il, ,,so IL, 1.rfyaar
thingl" covering her disfigured face with
her hands after one despairing glance in
the mirror
Excuse me-" said suave voice, and
into the parlor strobe Deacon Smith, not
withstanding the protestations of the
help, "but having just returned from
business trip of several weeks, Miss Titus,
have only few moments ago heard the
talk concerning our marriage-ohl" per-
ceiving the group of ladies, II trust l
have not intruded upon meeting of the
Aid Society.
The deacon seemed to pronounce that
one word with peculiar intonation.
"Our marriagel" whispered Mrs Dea-
con White to the embarrassed Mrs.
Brown, "do you hear that, and still Sarah
Ann will keep on denying it, suppose,
Deacon Smiths ears caught the whis-
per,
"Our rumored marriage, he corrected
with a smile, "a rumor without one par
ticle of foundation, permit me to say"
Miss Titus, overwhelmed with various
emotions. burst into tears.
The deacon with a look of wonderful
resolution upon his face, walked over
to her covering figure, and STOPPING,
endeavored to possess himself of her
face hiding hands.
The committee, rather shamelacedly,
hereupon took their hurried departure.
"Aliss Titus" said the deacon, not
without some embarrassment. II long
have admired you, and" But why
should l relate what Deacon Smith said
upon that delicate occasion, orwhat, pre-
suniably, was Miss Titus's answer?
"Jcs' think, " exclaims the postmistress
month OF so later, "jes' think what a
few tattlm' busybodies kin bring about!
Now there's that marriage of Miss Titus's
and Deacon Smith'sl He says how he
never would hey the courridge to offer
even his company TO her, but fer that
talk aud to think as how she he'd been a
haukar!n' arter him fer years
his. Grown laughed ironically.
Il guess the deacon's courage had been
urnus,.J by the rumors of Miss Titus's in
vesuuJnls," she retorted unamiably,
"more tu.n by the other talk. -
"Bustic most amazin' thing about it
all. cuin4es in Miss Trotter reflcctively,
ais the change in Miss Iituss looks.
couldn't help speaEin' Of it to her, while
Gtin' Ola the weddin' dress and says
she, With that peculiar smile OF hern Il
al,eis did say there was somethin' taken
aLou, Saiy AIMS smile), and says she,
, lou,ia' at herself in the glass, Happiness
is Gods own cosmetic, Miss Irotter 1t
will do what lotions, creams, on the form
ulas OF any skin specialists will fail to do,
says She
, Lotions, creamsln exclaims the post
, mistress, light dawniug upon her busy
brain. at wasn't perfumery, then, arter
all. land sakes!' Butfor once she kept
/ her own counsel aud a neighbours secret,
for 10 I. lay lIIs. Brown and Miss Trot-
) Ter hay lliied 10 draw from her the
meaning OF that one exclamation.
Charlie W., aged 4. had two pets
! a canary and cnt. One unlucky day
+ the door og the cags was left open, and
J the cat was can rlt swallowing the last
, morsel of paar i.rlie. Little Charlie
eazod at ths cai few moment in sor-
T rowrm meditation, thea suddenly que
ried: "MimmA viii kitty sing nowS ~
E HousekCcp,r's Weekly.