Evening journal., 1899-12-07
AN UNPREMED-
ITATED THEFT

Mrs. Spreadbrow cat under the big
willow in her front garden. Behind her
stood the trim cottage, and in the grass,
almost at her feet. gamboled Eddy, her
youngest born, and the new white and
black puppy.
From the gyration of the two young
creatures on the grass, Mrs. Spreadbrow
let her eyes wander drearily across the
bay to the irregular sky line of the big
city, where she knew that Mr.. Spread
brow was busily engaged in converting
bales Of cotton into brisk bank notes.
All, thought she, happily, she had
much to be thankful for, the best hus-
band in the world, promising family,
a charming home on Staten Island and
-- But at this juncture her reverie
was broken in upon by the sound Of
footsteps on the gravel walk leading
from the front gate to the house, and
looking up, she beheld the comfortable
figure of her dear friend, Mrs Town
ley
There followed q scene such as any
lady who has been surprised by the
sudden and unexpected arrival of a
valued friend can readily imagine. In
the course of il Mrs. Townley was con-
veyed to the parlor of the trim cottage,
70 sit and "cOol of" before going up
stairs.
Take off your bonnet, dear" said
her CHEEKY hostess. Il will put your
satchel and parcel and things on this
chair. O. ] have so much to tell you
about and scOld you for; why haven't
you come down before?"
In the midst of Mrs. Townley's ex-
plantations as to why she had absented
herself, there burst through the open
French window, like the advent of a
whirlwind, the puppy. Sport. in full
cry, followed by Eddy.
Round and round the room they cir
cled for some moments and then, obedi-
ent to the oft-repeated commands of his
mother, the little youth turned and en-
braced their visitor with much hearth
ness. The peace that followed these
demonstrations was rudely put to flight
by the click OF the front gate, and the
cry from Eddy, who was stationed at
the window announcing "a lady COM
ing"
Somebody to call. How provoking!'
said Mrs. Spreadbrow, with a pucker oi
her placid brow. Come, Maria, let's
go up stairs before Della goes to the
door, There goes the belll Never mind
your things"
In an instant the room was cleared oil
all save the black and white puppy
who shambled about for a moment
then trotted out into the garden by ths
same route he had come in.
IT'S a young lady, Mrs. Spreadhrow
and she says she wants to see you or
business" announced Della, a moment
ater, thrusting her head through thu
door OF the room TO which Mrs. Spread
brow and her friend had retired.
Dear me, what can she want?" Th'
lady's voice expressed as much irrita
tation as that kindly organ could EN-
body. a rs
AS she entered the parlOr, a tall, slim
girl, who had been standing nervousl,
in the middle of the room, advanced t.
meet her, and the icy tone and name
that Mrs. SpreadbrOw had determines
to assume toward the disturber Of he
seclusion melted away as the prett,
young creature lifted a pair of sad darl
eyes to her face and said in an EN-
barrassed voice.
please pardon me for intruding
have come toto"
Pray sit down." interrupted Mrs
Spreadbrow. cheerily.
Thank you" said the girl, an
dropped into a chair. Il will not de
tain you long. / have here a chill
dren's history-"and from the depth
of a roomy satchel she produced
small book-"that Catcham & Teasar
are publishing"
All Now, Mrs. Spreadhrow knew tn
worst. But don't want it, she saiC
gently.
1T won't do ny-any-harm-to
look at it," The girl spoke as If tryin
to repeat a lesson, and with a wistfl
look in her face.
Yes, it will; because If I let 20
show it to me may buy it, and rea
ly don't want II"
Nobody does; but you have put you
rejection of it very kindly" said tn
girl, rising to 60
Her voice trembled and the smile sh
managed to screw her pretty lips int
was far from cheerful. Mrs. SpreaC
brow was touched. There was soml
thing so pathetic about the voice an
manner. and she was so very youn
and so very pretty. The motherly lad
laid her hand on the girls arm. sayin
softly:
Let me give you glass of claret b.
fore you set out again in the heat-Ol
For the little book agent had turne
away to hide the tears she could M
restrain.
Excuse me-" she murmured, its Il
hot weather. and-and not being a
customed to the work. L began on
yesterday, and it's a long trip to al
from New York"
"Sit down" urged Mrs. Spreadbro'
gently. 'and will go and get Il
wine"
When she returned the Girl had Qui
recovered and was sitting quietly at q
window smiling at the gambols of Il
puppy. She apologized for havii
given away to her emotions, slipped b
wine and then rose again to go.
Thank you so much for your kin
ness" she said warmly. and goo
by"
wHArsDo YOU WANT: