The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-02-22

grow distracted. Henry is always per-
fectly infatuated with style. That in
wolves the worst part of it; to be stylish,
one must be very sharp and clever, and
to have an air about one takes clear
head and artful scheming. Oh I'll be
scared to death if she's a stylish
woman!"
When Mrs. Basset and her husband
entered the house, cordial welcome
was given her and room prepared for
her upstairs. But her field of opera
tions laid below, amid the informalities
of household custom. In conversation,
she sSirted along the channel of her
thoughts and talked in ambush of the
subject that engrossed and tormented
| her.
"Mr. Whitcomb was born in that very
house, wasn't hep she inquired by way
of challenging remark.
"Oh. yes; he was born and raised in
this part of the country" And as Mrs.
Basset moved over to the kitchen stove
with the iron in her hand, the floor
shook under her heavy tread. Mrs.
Whitcomb glanced involuntarily down
at her own light, trinity clad foot and
then said:
Il suppose you knew him, didn't
you? Maybe you were together at
cuttings or singing school, or wherever
it Is the young people go for amuse-
ment?"
"Oh, yes replied Mrs. Basset, smil-
ing broadly. MY husband and l
knew him we'll We always called him
Little Whit, because he was somewhat
slight and never stout like the other
boys"
II have heard them say he was quite
a favorite with the girls out here-he
always was graceful and had a taking
way with him-and that in fact when
he was quite young, he fell desperately
in love with one of them" said Mrs
Whitcomb, in a careless manner.
They try to tease me about that now.
What beautiful tidy this isl and she
leaned over admiringly to a coarse GRO
cheted netting fastened to the back of
a chair. Then throwing herself lightly
back again she added: II suppose you
can tell quite a story bout it''
About the tiGy?' echoed Mrs. Bas-
set, in pleased surprise. "Oh, yes;
how could you guess? When | was
just fifteen years old | had four grand
mothers living-two great ones, you
know-and they all knit that for me-
| think all the world of it; everyone re-
CARDS it as great curiosity"
Mrs. Whitcomb was disappointed at
this result-albeit she was momentarily
startled at the remarka BILE incident
itself-and resolved not to make a
second mistake.
Indeed! 1t is certainly wonderful.
I'm surprised that you use it about the
house. But your having no children
makes many things possible. Mr. Bas-
set is such strong man! | envy him
when | think of my husband. Henry
will have to stay here several weeks
perhaps, and how I'm to go back home
without him is hard to tell. But he
will meet some of his old friends again
when he is stronger That girl he
especially liked-she is here, is she?'
she asked, complacently gathering in
Fell i Z bout her Wrist .'"''
The girl? Oh, yes, she's here re-
sponded Mrs. Bassett.
81 suppose she is a woman now?''
Yes, she's a woman now, of course ="
II wonder if | couldn't see her some
time. | have a great curiosity about
her. Oh, who is that?" and she sprang
to the window. What fine rider she
is, and doesn't she look splendid on
horse back? That isn't a country girl
is it? She isn't that woman, is she?'
She started painfully and fixed her
eyes upon Mrs. Basset's imperturbable
face.
oh no, that isn't the woman. But
she's from this ighborhood though
She's one of the Brockville girls: they
all ride"
''Shes very fashionably dressed; she
looks as if she came from the city,
unused Mrs. Whitcomb. Then she
blushed a little and entered the battle
bravely
as this other woman nice looliing?'
Every one seems to think her good
looking woman. Mr.. Whitcomb used to
think so, and Mrs. Bassets iron slid
smoothly over shining napkin.
The disturbed wife WIS fast losing a
calm view of the situation. She rose
and sauntered to Il glass hangin G
against the wall. saying with an hys-
terical laugh:
Papa ana aunt say that he only
married me because ! was pretty But
I'm positively getting wrinkled now,
and Henry can't endure wrinkles. -
She looked i'll with frown at the puck
cred forehead reflected in the glass.
To herself, she was saying: TO go
back home and leave him here with
her, and l not knowing what she is
LIKE can't do it! Silly unreasonable
child that | ami
She is married now" suggested Mrs
Basset.
'Oh, yes, l suppose SO. All attrac-
tive women get married. Women in
the country follow the fashions great
deal nowadays, don't they? | mean,
if they are clever enough. | suppose
they copy the pictures they see. and
follow the directions of the maya
zines"
This woman takes a magazine;
have often seen it," interposed Mrs.
Basset.
"Oh, does she?'' exclaimed the
troubled little woman. "Now, then,
do you know if she wears bell skirts or
| circular Sltirtsp" She bent over unOn