The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1893-01-13
HIS DAY AT HOME.
How Mr.. Parhtt's Sick Spell Was
Finally Cured

mo, can't say l enjoy Georges sick
days at home," said Mrs Parfitt. Hes
sure to be poking into things and MAX
ing himself generally disagreed ble.
Dear boy! he isn't that way any other
time I'll warrant you, Conny'-Mrs.
Pariitt shot humorous glance at her
nus bands 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 But there's the Carpenters recep-
tion Thursday and-Wait for me. I'll
try it."
And Mrs. Parftt ran downstairs
with n valiant smile.
She found her husband in the library.
lie was young and comely, but a
strip of red flannel on his throat,
shawl untidilv worn and n gloomy ex-
precision of countenance did not i'm
prove him
I'D stay at home, dear" said Mrs.
Parfitt, If there was anything could
do for you"
There isn't" said her husband.
shortly. This bcastly cold has got to
wear itself out"
''Conny and I are going out for lit
tie shopping, then. And if you can let
me have 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 n striped satin lining
-awfully pretty-at Bright's-"
Il don't know anything about any
jacket George snapped. ''I'm har-
assed enough in mind and body, Kate,
without your prosecuting me-
I'm mind?" said Mrs Parfitt, patient
ly resigning herself.
This was one of Georges days at
home.
YES, in mindr' He threw off mis-
shawl. and sat up and glowered at her.
What do You think about Hugh I'D
ley and Constance, anyhow"
Hugh Dudley and Constance?"
Mrs. Parftt stared little
That's what / said. He's coming
here all the time, isn't he? What's he
coming for?"
Mrs. Parfitt looked into her lap. A
smile dawned on her fresh lips.
"I-really, I" she murmured.
Il feel responsible for Constance" :"
said George, scowling impatientiy at
everything. II asked her here, and if
she does anything to disgrace the fam
lily shall feel to blame for it. Hugh
Dudley, Would Uncle Joe or Aunt
Agnes want her to marry Hugh Dudley?
a mere-mcre-" no fit term present
ed itself. Il don't like this at all. In
the coffee business. And ! don't believe
he knows who his grandfather was"
/ Mr.. Parfitt concluded warmly.
Mrs Parfitt looked oddly dcmure.
Isn't the coffee business creditable,
| George, dcar?" she queried- And the
| Dudleys' are n very good family, really,
/ and everybody likes Hugh
Il don't, Hugh Dudley,-when. with
I the slightest encouragement, Thomas
| Danforth-"
| OH Mrs Parfitt murmured-
''You needn't think that has set me
against Dudley, though 1t hasn't. II
isn't merely that Tom is a friend OF
! mine; it's the difference in the two fel-
! lows Toms Il brick-a brick Tom Dan
/ forth isI' said MIR. Parfitt, with an en-
| phasis that amounted to ferceness
And for Constance Bergen to delib,
erately take up with the worse man OF
the two when she might have the
better-it gals me. Eli never invite her
I here again-nor anybody else!"
He flung back into his chair.
II think Conny will perhaps be living
here before long, dear" his wife re
! Joined, mildly. She had rctreated lC
the hall "You-won't give me the
money for my jack"
Nor emphatically.
He heard the front door close directly
and said to himself he was gIad to be
alone.
He supposed Constance was upstairs
but he was in no mood for talking Il
her He was out of patience with her
He went to the kitchen and asked the
cook TO make him some ginger tea Re
turning he saw from the window ;
sight which caused him to utter an eX
asperated growL Hugh Dudley wa!
driving up briskly in his road cart
which cart was shining in the rays o
the morning sun, as was also his hand
some face
George met him at the door befor,
the maid could answer the bell
"Is Miss Bergen" the caller began
with a questioning smile, offering L
shake hands
Mr.. Parfitt ignored his hand.
She is not at home" he said, delhi
erately, with no trace of his accusing
conscience in his displeased face.
To admit Hugh Dudley and hear hin
|
for two hours in the parlor was to
much. He would not have it
The young mans face fell percepti
bly,.
s.When will she be at home?" he fal
tered. embarrassed between his disap
pointment and his awe of Mr.. Parfitt'
stern looks
II have not the slightest idea,
George responded
Would the fellow keep him there III
tering mendacities all day! Not bu
that the cause was good and sufficient
but he was not accustomed to lying.
I'm sorry" Hugh Dudley declared
He fingered, looking touchinglv III
happv. only Mr. Parfitt was nc
touched He looked as though he wa
waiting to shut the door, and the Wis
itor retreated down the steps and int
his cart
Ellen had the ginger tea ready.
was not strong enough, and too swee'
And when Ellen, having been some
what gruffiy informed of it, had mad
some afresh, Mr.. Parfitt drank it, an
resumed his shawl and his chair an
his uncomfortable reflections
The door bell rang again. Georg
thought he knew the ring. Sur
enough, it was Tom Danforth.
Laid up?" that young man demand
ed, coming in breezily, big ard broaC
shouldered and bright-eyed and cheer
full. Too bad! On your lungs? Hav
you tried a capsicum plaster? l ca
get you one in five minutes if you wan
me to-"
Its in my head" said George, di:
mally. But he smiled his pleasure a
Tom Danforth's appearance, an
wrung the young mans hand and too
his coat and hat I'm glad you came
glad to see you, Stay to lunch, won
! you? Have this foot rest Constanc
! is home-upstairs," he said, in
! breath Just wait" he added, eager