The free press., 1894-07-19

him even asking Toms folks that he
hasn't spoken to for the last five
years! l always did think he was
foolish to quarrel with Tom Doane.
Toms nice fellow and amt to blame
for that quarrel. But wonder what
ever possessed father to do this"
"The next question is" said Mrs.
Darlington, "will the neighbors be
willing to come? They've been treat
ed uncivil enough by father
"Oh, L think SO" returned Rob.
s1'll manage that"
81 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 must have asked
| them"
"Why, yes, it's more'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. "
eyes, and sending all the groceries,
too," added Kate, ''father was very
thoughtful.
"It's good thing that our white
dresses are clean, said Sophie, ''for
we haven't another decent suit 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 coming
therefrom. He looked up and saw to
his astonishment that the whole house
asw 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 hur-
ried to the front door to solve the
mystery. When he entered he felt
that he certainly must be in dream
land. The parlors that were general
ly stiff and gloomy were SO decorated
with flowers and green leaves that he
scarcely recognized them as his own.
His daughters were radiantly beauti-
full in dresses of pure white--he had
forgotten until now what beautiful
girls they really were-and his wife,
in her neat black silk, was woman of
whom one might be proud. Then
Rob looked more genteel than he had
looked for many n long day. Mr..
Darlington could not understand it,
with his own household open and not
at his commands, and yet all OF them
as brave and smiling as if he had never
forbidden them the pleasure of hav-
ing company. But it was delightful
scene after all, and it must have been
n hard hearted man indeed, who could
fail to find enjoyment in 1t. And who
was that coming towards him with out
stretched hand? Could it really be
Tom DoaneNthe friend of his happier
wears, 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?"
eyes, 1 must-I must say" stam-
mered Mr.. Darlington, powerful
material; but 1 must go and tidy up
bit, for L amt fit to be seen"
In dazed sort of way he left the
room, but when he returned shortly
after. dressed in his very best suit, he
was as bright and gay as any one pre-
sent. He entered with all his heart
into the merrymaking of the evening"
only stopping now and then to won
der how the women folks dared dety
HIM SO boldly. He really began 10
feel a 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 he would haraly
have been surprised.
John and his folks had arrived ana
were joining in the general hliarl'y
when Joe Darlington entered the par
lor the second time, but he would hot
have lost his equanimlty now hao
Queen Victoria been announced Inc
bountiful supper he took as a ma''ei
of course; it was nothing more .nan
was to be expected, considering 'ne
grandeur of the occasion, and IL WIS
| o,,l, xvhan the neiphbors had depart