Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-09-28


it,
"Yes, aud sending al! the grocer
les, too," added Kate, "father was
very thoughtful"
It's Zood thing that oar wbltC
dresses are clean," said Sophie,
"for we haven't another decent
suit to wear. AS for you, mother,
your black silk is as new, even if
1t isn't the very latest STYLE"
That evening as Mr.. Darlington
was driving up the lane towards
his house he was startled by hear
ing the unusual sound of laughter
coming therefrom. He looked up
and saw to his astOnishment that
the whole house was illuminated.
There must be a light in every
rOOm-yes-and there were people
moving around, mere than were in
his family. he knew. What could
it mean? He lett the horse stand
ing by the shed and hurried to the
front door to solve the mystery.
When lie 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 radian-
tly beautiful in dresses of pure
white-he had forg often until now
What beautiful girls they reall ~
were-and his wife, in her neat
black silk, was woman Of whom
one might be proud. Then Rob
looked more genteel then he had
looked for many long day. Mr..
Darlington could not understand
it, with his own household open
and not at his cOmman ls, and yet
all of them as brave aud smiling
as II he he'd never forbidden them
the pleasure of having company.
But it was a delightful scene
after all, and it must have been
hard hearted man indeed, who
could fail 20 fad enjoyment in it..
And who was that coming towards
him with outstretched hands?
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
agaiui? Yes, 1t was no OthSr than
good old Tom; aud he was max.
ing the fist advances, III spite of
his vow.
'Howdy, Jos7 Seems material,
don't III"
"Yes, 1 must-I must say" STAN
mered Me-. Darlington, "poweriul
nateral; but l must 60 aud tidy up
a bit, fol- aih't ft to be seem"
In a dazed sort of way be left the
room, but when he returned short
ly after, dressed in his very best
suit, he was as bright and gay as
any one present. He entered With
all his heart into the merry.mak
ing of the evening, only stopping
now and then to wonder how the
women folks dared defy him so
boldly. He really began to feel a
little afraid of them, now that they
had shown 50 much strength OF
will, and it they had ordered him
to leave his own house he would
hardly have been surprised.
Jlhn and his folks had arriye''
and were j0lning In the general
hilarity when Joe Darlington en-
tered the par,or the second time,
bat he would not have lost his
equanimity now had Queen Vic
toria been announced. The b)unti-
supper lie took as a matter o.
course, it was nothing more than
was to be expected, considering
the grandeur of the occasion, and
it was only when the Delghbori
had departed, leaving the brothers
and their families together, that he
gave utteranoe to any thought OF
the subject. Then he said play
fnlly: "Sorter ally Of you, John
no. to mention this mOrnnln' thsI
you was comih' up
"Why, l hadn't got no inyit,
then"
"What do you mean, fatheri
asked Kate, opening her blue eve
wide IN surprise, "didn't you invite
Uncle joint"
"How could /, when 1 didn'
kpoW nothil' ab9vt ~"