The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-09-09

mp throat. and thumped there SO ia st
could scarcely breathe.
had contributed regularly for some
time TO the South African Review"
and my correspondence with the editor
had grown very friendly, indeed. but
never, never, in my widest imaginings
had | foreseen such a catastrophe, Nell
| suggested afterw ard, as this.
cast a glance of frenzied, but speech
less, appeal at Nell. She nodded, pale
| as ghost. She had heard. too.
"Cfar up she whispered, briefly,
and then she began to laugh, noiseless-
ly and historically. | thought this
downright mean of her, but | didn't
have time to demonstrate. ] heard
Tom tell our guest in very loud tone
for our benefit-that he would show
him in just as soon as he had finished a
little matter then claiming his attention
in the shop. This was to give us time,
God bless him. And we improved it.
The way we did set chairs to their
right-abouts and jam things into those
bureau drawers! Nell got hold of the
muslin and struggled to get it into the
trunk, but there was too much of it,
Put it behind the trunk" | gasped,
and, as she obeyed, | added: There's
one consolation. lie can't hear us, be-
cause he's as deaf as anything; he told
me himself"
well, that is bliss" responded Nell,
| lapsing into slang in her agitation.
We had barely begun TO get things to
rights. it seemed, however. when we
heard them coming, and with hopeless
glanceS into the mirror VIC sank into
our chairs.
Tom pushed aside the portiere and
walked in. followed by tall and fine
looking gentleman. With a terrible
"Boo-woo-woo!" in the voice of lion.
JEFF leaped from his own individual
corner and made rush at our guest,
and as the latter was just in the act of
taking step, the dog, more astonished
than any of us, went straight between
the South African ankles and found
cred against the wall AS the gentle
man recovered his equilibrium and his
self-possession, Tom lamely introduced
him.
Speak louder, Tom" said /. conceal
ing the motion of my lips behind my
kerchief. "lIe is awfully deaf; he told
me himself"
us that SOP" said Tom; and then he
fairly shouted the introduction.
Nell came forward looking as cool
and sweet as lily and gave him her
hand, telling him how really glad she
was to welcome him.
20 fudge" said Tom, making wry
face at her over Mr.. Everett's shoulder;
''if he's deaf that's all Greek to him.
Speak up, my little man."
For one dreadful moment | thought
Nell was going into one of her convul-
sions of laughter, but she pulled her.
self together and presented me.
$50 this is our little contributor"
said he, taking my hand and looking at
me with kind but amused eyes.
shouted out yes" but as that sounded
rather fiat, and he airing Tom giggle in
the background, Imply subsidized.
Have chair?' cried Nell, her voice
rising to little squeak as she preferred
the best and really safest chair in the
house To our CONSERVATION, however,
he showed preference for a guileless
looking chair that was at heart one of
base deception.
Great gunsw CALCULATED Tom. in a
tone of exaggerated emotion, while we
all stood shivering in agonized sus-
pense. ITS the chair with the broken
lcgl"
Before our guest could seat himself,
however, Nell had a happy inspiration.
do, do take off your overcoatw she
cried. and then in a rapid aside to me:
And Kate, do substitute another chair
while I'm talking sweet to him. Tom.
take his coat"
For one instant thought flash of
uncomfortable mirth swept across Mr..
Everett's face, almost as if he had
heard. But second glance assured
me of my mistake, for his expression
was sphinx-lille.
Now, that have his coat" put in
Tom, with cold irony, while deftly
changed the chairs, what shall do
with it? Toss it on the trunk?"
Heaven! No. said l, sternly. Put
it out in them the"
''Cubby-hole," suggested Nell. giving
us brief, innocent glance. and then
adroitly continued her conversation
with Mr.. Everett.
Sure enough" said Tom. giggling as
he went out. "Ill put it on the bag of
potatoes. He'll think we have a hun
dred-dollar hat rack concealed in the
darkness"
Tom, | may say right here, was in
his element A guest who was deaf.
and two sisters who had been caught
in a dreadful plight, What more could
the imp ask? He took the tide at the
flood, too. He came back and seated
himself in the shadow so he could fire
funny remarks at us without the motion
of his lips being observed by Mr.. Ever
EFT.
Nell behaved like an angel She sat
quite close to our guest. and carried on
with him an animated conversation in
a clear, high, flutelike tone, which
seemed to carry every word to him dis
tinctly, as he did not hesitate once in
his replies
Suddenly my alert ear heard some
thing dropping or to he more accurate,
RUNNING Nell Uaye mo n startled rovS-