The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-03-03
PARFI1T'S DAY AT HOME.

sure to be poking into thin IS and max.
.ng himself gen rally disagreeahle.
'eilr boy he isn't that way any other
time. I'll warrant you, Conny"-AIrs.
Parftt shot humorous glance at her
stands extremely pretty cousin, who
stood, in street attire, waiting for her
that he won't want to give me the
money for my new jacket to-day at all.
i;ut there's the Carpenters reception
Thursday and Wait for me !! 1'lltry
It,"
And Mrs. Parfitt ran down stairs with
q valiant smile. She found her hus-
band in the library. He was young
aud comely, but a strip of red flannel
on his throat, shawl untidily worn
and a gloomy expression of counte.
nance did not improve him.
I'd stay 1t home. dear" said Mrs.
rarftt, IF there was any thing I could
do for you"
There isn't" said the husband,
shortly. This bsastly cold has got to
wear itself out.
"Conny and I are going out for little
shopping, then. And ii you can let me
nave the money for my Spring jacket
now, George? I'm little late about
getting it as it is, you know. It's the
tan one, with striped satin lining
awfully pretty--at Bright t's-"
Il don't know anything about any
Jacket + George snapped. "I'm har-
n.eed enough in mind and BODY. Kate.
without your prosecuting me-"
In mind ?" said Mrs. Parfitt, pa.
tiently resigning herself. This was one
OF Georges days at home.
"Yes, in mind! |" He threw off his
shawl, and sat up and glared at her.
What do you think about Hugh Dud.
ley and Constance, anyhow ?"
Hugh Dudley and Constance?"
Mrs. Parfitt stared little.
That's what I said. He's coming
here all the time, isn't he? What's lie
coming for q
'I--really, I" she murmured.
II feel responsible for Constance, '
said George, scowling impatiently at
everything. Il asked her here, and il
she does anything to disgrace the fam.
lily I shall feel to blame for it. Hugh
Dudley Would Uncle Joe or Aunt
Agnes want her to marry Hugh Dud,
ley? A mere-mere- no tit term
presented itself. Il don't like this at
all In the coffee business And
don't believe he knows who his grand.
father was !" Mr.. Partitt concluded
warmly.
Isn't the coffee business cred.
table, George, dear ?" she queried.
And the Dudleys are very good fam.
lily, really, and everybody likes Hugh. .
Il don't Hugh Dudley when,
with the slightest encouragement,
Thomas Danforth-"
"Oh r Mrs. Parfitt murmured.
"You needn't think that has set me
against Dudley. though. 1t hasn't. 1t
isn't merely that Tom is friend OF
mine; it's the difference in the two
fellows. Toms brick-a brick Tom
Danforth is |" said Mr.. Partitt, with
an emphasis that amounted to fierce
ness. And for Constance Bergen to
deliberately take up with the worse
man of the two when she might have
the better-it gals me I'll never in
vite her here again--nor anybody
else r
He flung back into his chair.
Il think Conny will perhaps be
living here before long, DEAR" his wife
rejoined mildly. She had retreated to
the hall. You won't give me the
money for my jack"
No T. emphatically.
He heard the front door close
directly, and said to himself he was
gla to be alone. He supposed Con-
stance was upstairs, but he was in no
mood for talking to her. He was out
of patience with her. He went to the
kitchen and asked the cook to make
him some ginger tea. Returning he
saw from the window sight which
caused him to utter an exasperated
growl. Hugh Dudley was driving up
briskly in his roal cart, which cart was
shining in the rays of the morning sun
us was also his handsome face George
met him at the door before the maid
could answer the hell.
is Miss Bergen" the caller be.
san, with q es ,ioning smile, offering
to shake hands.
MIR. Parfitt ignored his hand.
"She is not at home." he said, delib.
erately, with no trace of his accusing
conscience in his displeased face,
To admit Hugh Dudley and hear
him and Constance chattering and gig.
Cling for two hours in the parlor was
too much. He would not have it. The
young mans face fell perceptibly.
when will she be at home?" he
faltered, embarrassed between his dis:
appointment and his awe of Mr.. Par.
fits stern looks.
Il have not the slightest idea," George
responded.
Would the fellow keep him there
uttering mendacities all day Not but
that the cause was good and sufficient,
but he was not accustomed to lying.
I'm sorry" Hugh Dudley declared.
He fingered, looking touchingly un.
happy, only Mr.. Par6tt was not touched.
He looked as though he was waiting to
shut the door, and the visitor retreated
down the steps and into his cart. Ellen
had the ginger tea ready. 1t was not
strong enough, and too sweet And
when Ellen, having been somewhat
gruffiy informed of it, had made some
afresh, Mr.. Parfitt drank it, and re.
sumed his shawl and his chair and his
uncomfortable reflections. The door
bell rang again. George thought he
knew the ring. Sure enough, It was