The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-08-01

VI 'iSii vi the uuSty table IN the
next room, while his brother obligingIy
moved along TO make room for the
plate, knife and fork which Mary Jane
brough; from the cupboard, where she
had run to take down her curl papers.
Mr.. Dent saw through it all at once.
His experience in boarding houses and
as lone OF the famlly'' had b-en wide
and varied, and included more than
one presentation OF the worst as well
as the best fo0t. He felt sorry for
them all, especially the pretty young
girl whose red face and downcast eyes
told how keenly she felt the awkward
ness of the situation in which his
thoughtlesspess had put them. Never
theless he managed to make a hearty
meal. The plain bread and fresh,
sweet butter, the cold, juicy meat and
simple sauce were great deal more to
his taste than the heavy, indigestible
food 10 which he had been accustomed
of late.
Little It mattered to him just then
that the tablecloth was awry, besides
bearing the marks of several DAYS
usage; that the cup which Mary James
trembling hand passed him had lost its
handle in some past conflict; that the
butter dish bore evidence of having
been used at the preceding meals, and
that the meat dish had cracks enough
to render it almost sacred in the eyes
of the china collectors.
Their embarrassment and efforts to
keep up conversation were so evident
that Mr.. Dent concluded It would be
an act of mercy to shorten his visit as
much as possible so. shortly after tea,
he shook hands all round, and was
escorted to the door by MIR. Lawson,
who, for the first time in his remem-
brance, was heartily glad 10 see a guest
out.
The next morning the boys saw that
their mother and sister, who had sat
up talking the night before long after
the Others were in bed, both had on
clean ,'resses and aprons; also that
Mary Jane had forgotten to put her
hair IN paper, and that her eyes and
nose were red and swollen as though
she had been crying.
With a presentimsnt of something,
they hardly knew what, they hurried
home the moment school was out.
They found the kitchen empty, but the
door between it and the dining room
was open, and going in search of their
mother they saw, much to their aston
ishment, a pretty, white draped table,
with row of chairs placed invitingy
round 1t. A second glance revealed
the fact that the best dishes were all
there, even to the cherished celery
glasses.
| wonder who's Gomez Not the
minister again, l hope" and Sam tip
toed about, and then peeped cautious
ly into the hall. Tain't man anyway,
for there's no HIT but fathers old straw,
that's been hanging there since king
dom come"
Continuing, he crossed the hall and
glanced round the parlor. A fire was
burning pleasantly, but the cat was the
only occupant to be seen.
Meantime Johnny had been count
ing the plates, and when SIM returned
from his unsatisfactory tour he was
met with the information there were
only five plates.
"What does it all mean, anyhow" ?"
was the question which the boys lips
and Mr.. Lawson's eyes asked as they
all gathered round the table.
1t MEANS" said Mrs. Lawson, with a
glance at her daughter, that Mary
lane and | have determined that we
will never be caught again as we were
last evening. So from this time for
w.rd we are going to regard ourselves
as company. We will use all our
house instead OF the kitchen only, eat
the best food and wear the very best
clothes that we can afford, and when
our friends come they shall have as
good but no better than we have our
selves. l think wen all be happier for
the change, and we'll have no lear of
last nights exp erience being repeated.
Presently the gossips of Woodleigh
began to say among themselves that
the Lawsons were getting some high
notions in their heads. They always
sat in their parlor in the evening, it was
said, and their dining room carpet was
badly scufed. 1t was also settled fact
that Mary Jane put on her brown CASH
mere and white apron every day when
the work was done up, and that Mrs.
Lawson managed to be neat and tidy
even on wash days. So different from
what it used to be, you know. These
bits of gossip, carefully gathered up
and neatly put together, went from lip
to lip, a ID in the course of time made
the circuit OF Mrs. Dodd's tea table.
Mr.. Dent listened, smiled a knowing
smile, and said something himself which
| won't repeat, though know very well
what 1t was.
A year later he had tea with the Law
sons again. A few friends were also
gathered around the table, and besides
him, blushing and lovely in her simple
white dress, with orange flowers in her
hair and a wedding ring on her finger,
sat Mary Jane, who had taken the vows
of a wife one short hour before.
At first Mr.. Lawson thought the mar
rage of his only daughter must be
grand affair, and talked OF invitations
and orders to the florist and coniec-
tioner Rut Mary lane in whose mind