The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-07-28

this,
The next question is, said Mrs.
Darlington. will the neighbors be
willing 10 come? They've been
treated uncivil enough by father.
Oh, think so, returned Rob. I'll
manage that.
Just went out and told the man
to tell Uncle John and the folks to
be sure to come up tonight, said
Kate, entering the room at that
moment. OF course, father mnst
have asked them.
Why, yes, it's n1ore'n likely he
did, assented the mother, and come
to think OF it, wasn't it sly Of father
to leave Rob home TO do the
inviting and not say word about
it.
Yes and sending al! the groceries
too, added Kate father WAS very
thoughtful,
It's good thing that our white
dresses are clean Sophie, for We
haven't another decent dress to wear.
As for YOU, mother, your black silk
is as nice as new, even if it isn't the
very latest style.
That evening as Mr.. Darlington
was driving up the lane towards his
house he was startled by hearing
the unusual sound OF laughter COM
ing thefefrom. He looked up and
saw to his astonishnent that the
whole house was Illuminated. There
must be light in every room-yes
and there were people moving
around. more than were in his
family he knew. What could it mean'
He left the horse standing by the
shed and hurried TO the front door
to solve the mystery. When he
entered he felt that he certainly must
be in dreamland. The parlors that
were generally stiff and gloomy were
so decorated with flowers and green
leaves that he scarcely recognized
them as his own, His daughters
were radiantIy beautiln! in dresses
Of pvre witll-he had forgotten until
now what beautiful girls they really
white-and his wife IN her neat black
silk, was a woman OF whom one
might be proud. Then Rob looked
more genteel than he had looked for
many long day. Mr.. Darlington
could not understand it, with his
own household open and brave and
smiling rs If he had never forbidden
them the pleasureot having company.
Blu. it was a delightful scene after
all and it must have been hard
hearted man indeed, who could fail
to find enjoyment in it. And who
was that coming towards him with
outstretched hand2 Could it really
be Tom Doane, the friend OF his
happier years, the one who had
vowed that he would never speak to
Joe Darlington again? Yes it was
no other than good old Tom, and
he was making the first advances,
in spite OF his VOW.
Howdy, Joe? Seems material, don't
it?
Yes, l mu5t-I must say,stammered
Mr.. Darlington, powerful material;
but must go and tidy up bit, for
l amt fit 10 be seen.
In dazed sort OF way ne left the
room, but when he returned shortly
after, dressed in his very best suit
he was as bright and say as any
one present. He entered with all
his heart into the merrymaking OF
the evening, only stopping now and
then to wonder how the women
folks dared defy him as boldly. He
really began 70 feel little afraid
OF them, now that they had shown
so much strength OF will. and if they
had ordered him TO leave his own
house be wouldhardly been surprised.
John and his folks had arrived and
we're joining in the general hilsrity
when Joe Darlington entered the par
lor a second time, but he would not
have lost his equanImity now had
Queen Victoria been announced The
bountiful supper he took as a matter OF
course it was nothing more than was
to be expected, considering the gran
deur of the occasion, and it was only
when the neighbors had departed, lea7,
ing the brothers and their families
together, that he gave utterance TO any
thought on the subject. Then he
said, playfully: Sorter sly of you,
John, not to mention this mornin' that
you was coming up.
Why, | hadn't got no invite then.
What do you mean, father? asked
Kate opening her blue eyes wide in
in surprise, didn't you invite Uncle
JohnP
How could I, when | didn't know
nothin' about it?
Didn't you know about it when you
got it up yourself?
What under the canopy do you
mean? asked Mr.. Darlington ID aston
ishment. I didn't git up nothin'.
Why, yes, you did, father, said Kate,
you sent US a note telling US to invite
all the neighbors.
l didn't do nothin' Of the kind, on
less my mentality was wanderin.'
Sophie and her mother looked al
each other IN wonderment. but Kate
stralghtway brought the paper and
handed it to her father. There is the
note you sent US with the groceries.
| didn't put up the groc' ries and I'm
innercent of the writin' on that paper
he said after he had read the invitation
Then Uncle John examined the