Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-12-28

lists. Now don't look SO horrihed. Uncle
Nat will be none the wiser, and he'll be
enjoying himself at his scientific con-
vention, SO why shouldn't we go in for a
bit of fun too2 And if you know what
color is most becoming to you, Essie,
you'll order heliotrope dress for the
occasion. You are quite decent looking
in heliotrope"
81 shall certainly countenance no such
affair, GladysI' said Esther decidedly.
Nothing is further from my thoughts
than openly to disobey Uncle Nat"
"But you won't betray me, Esther?
You wouldn't be so dishonorable?'
at would be still more dishonorable
to deceive Uncle Natl" protested Esther.
Promise me, Gladys. to abandon the
whole AFFAIR.""
And to her great relief Gladys prom
ised, pouting and ready to cry, however.
Going to, Philadelphia was great
event in Mr.. Fane's life. Twice-three
times Gladys had to copy the somewhat
prolix paper which he proposed to read
before the members of his scientific club,
and at the very last it was taken out of
her hands and sent to typewriting
young damsel in the neighborhood.
His portmanteau was carefully packed
and repacked; score of directions was
reiterated to every one in the house, and
at.last he went away, tucked carefully
up in the sleigh, with fur gloves, silk
mufflers and arctic rubbers without end.
"What dreadful old molly coddle he
is, to be surel" said irreverent Gladys.
And when the cutter came jingling
back from the station she beckoned to
little Caesar to stop.
I'm going to the station myself" said
she.
"Oh, Gladys, what fory
ITO send half a dozen kilograms or
so," said the city young lady composedly,
"to hurry up matters about my New
Years party"
Your New Years party! | thought
you had given it up, Gladys"
mot l. If you don't want to come to
it, Miss Stiff-and-prim, you needn't. But
mean to have it, all the samep and
Gladys danced merrily off to the sleigh,
and whirled away like a laughing sprite
into the brilliant winter sunshine.
New year 3 eve came, and for won
der it tneither rained, sleeted nor showed
The roads were like firm, beautiful ala
baster; the sky all studded with glitter
ing stars; the air just cold enough to be
bracing and invigorating. The Fame
house was illuminated from garret to
cellar, the band was clashing out gay
music, and the train from Philadelphia
had brought goodly number of young
people in gala array, who were to be re-
enforced by the neighbors, all of whom
were bound over to secrecy.
Gladys, in blue silk dress, draped
with clouds of azure tulle, which had
been charged to Uncle Fanes account,
was receiving them most graciously
and the tide of gayety was at its high
est when the head waiter came to ask
her if it was her pleasure that the sup
per should be served.
Lets go down and look ut the table,
Jim she said to young Mr.. LIE Cou-
vray. who seemed to act as her regent in
chief, Ito make sure that it's all right
before we invite our friends to eat,
drink and be merry
Who's that old cove just coming in
at the opposite door-the caterer him
self. said facetious LIE Couvray, "or
some tramp who has smelled the frying
oysters and chicken croquettes under
the kitchen windows
Gladys dropped her escorts arm and
grew pale as ashes?
Uncle Natr she gasped.
"A happy New Year. my DEAR said
Uncle Nat. chuckling. lyon hardly ex-
pected to see me here, did you? A fine
supper this you have prepared. I'll just
drink cup of coffee and eat little of
this very excellent chicken salad before
gp up to my room. You see, the old
man isg't quite so ignorant of what is
going on az you supposed he was"
Esther has turned spy and inform
err cried Gladys. Il never. never will
forgive hert"
Mot at all, my dear; not at all" said
Uncle Fame. But chanced to find
among the pages of my astronomical
manuscript a half finished letter from
yourself to some city friend. in which
You described in very spirited way me
and my household, and your intention of
outwitting both me and Esther Ellis by
giving a New Years party in defiance of
us both. Esther, you said, was too loyal
to the old fogy to hear of such thing,
but that you were going to have your
own way in spite of her. Very well, my
dear: you've had it. But there's another
thing you haven't got, and won't have,
and that is one solitary, single cent of
the old fogy's money! Hush! What's
that? All, the bells in the village steeple
ringing in the New Year,"
At the same moment little Essie,
dressed in gray flannel wrapper, came
running down stairs and flew into Mr..
Eanes arms.
"Uncie Natl Oh, Uncle 1atr' she
cried
Here's one who is glad to see me, at
all events" said Mr.. Fame, slight quiver
in his voice "A glad New Year to you,
Essie! And Well keep it together, you
and l, all the rest OF the years that God
gives me! md of all the presents that
could have your love and constancy
are the best and sweetest!"-Saturday
Night.