Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-09-29
AN UNPREMED
ITATED THEFT

wis sat uHutT inc DlB
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 drearly 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 scene such as any
lady who has been surprised by the
sudden and unexpected arrival of
valued friend can readily imagine. In
the course of 1t Mrs. Townley was CON
veyed to the parlor of the trim cottage,
to sit and cool off" before going up
stairs.
Take off your bonnet, dear" said
her CHEEKY hostess. 81 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 pucker OF
her placid brow. Come, Maria, let's
go up stairs before Della goes to tho
door. There goes the bell Never mind
your things"
In an instant the room was cleared of
all save the black and white puppy,
who shambled about for moment
then trotted out into the garden by the
same route he had come in.
IT'S "A young lady. Mrs. Spreadbrow,
and she says she wants to see you on
business" announced Della, moment
later, thrusting her head through the
door of the room to which Mrs Spread
brow and her friend had retired.
Dear mel what can she WANT" The
lady's voice expressed as much irrita-
tatlOn as that kindly organ could en-
body.
AS she entered the parlor, a tall, slim
girl who had been standing nervously
In the middle of the room, advanced to
meet her, and the icy tone and manner
that Mrs. Spreadbrow had determined
to assume toward the disturber of her
secluslon melted away as the pretty
young creature lifted pair of sad dark
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, and
dropped into a chair. IL will not de-
tain you long have here a chill
drens hlstOry--"and from the depths
OF a roomy satchel she produced a
small bOok-"that Catcham & Teasam
are publishing"
All! Now, Mrs. Spreadbrow knew the
worst. But / don't want IT," she said,
gently.
1T won't do any-any-harm- toto
look at It," The girl spoke as II trying
TO repeat a lesson. and with a wlstful
look In her face.
Eyes, Il will; because IL let you
show II to me | may buy It, and real
ly don't want It."
Nobody does; but you have put your
rejection of 1t very kindly" said the
girl, rising to 60.
Her voice trembled, and the smile she
to screw her pretty lips into
was far from cheerful Mrs. Spread
brew was touched. There was some
thing 80 pathetic about the voice and
manner, and she was so very young
and 90 very pretty. The motherly lady
laid her hand on the girls arm, saying
softly:
Let me give you glass of claret be-
fore you set out again In the heat-O!"
For the little book agent had turned
away to hide the tears she could not
restrain
"Bxcuse me-" she murmured, ITS the
hot weather, and-and not being ac-
custOmed to the work. I began only
and it's long trip to and
from New York"
sit down" urged Mrs Spreadbrow,
gently. land ! Will go and get tho
wine"
When she returned the girl had quite
and was sitting quietly at the
window smiling a. the gamboIs Of the
PUPPY She arolOgizsd for having
given away to her emotions, slipped her
wine and then rose again to go.
THANK you 30 much for your kind
ness" she said warmly, and good
by"
"Stop," exclaimed Mrs Spreadbrow,
"Pve changed my mind about the book,
I'll take It,"
you really need IT." with a percep-
ttble Frightening OF the eyes.
81 cant get on without a history for
Eddy. / never thought OF Sports hav-
ing destroyed the one he had"
When the necessary negotiations had
DV0h NphNlhhpN hhC pltlly DOOh
agent had departed, Mrs. Spreadbrow
returned to her guest with many apol-
ogles for her long absence and bubbling
over with the pathetic romance she had
woven from the materials furnished by
the young girls words and manner.
The two ladies talked over this and
similar instances. until they were both
In a fearful state. aud Mrs. Townley,
to turn the tide OF feeling, proposed go
Ing into the parlor and opening tho
nubbly little package she had brought
and which she said contained some
trifies for the children.
This proposition was hailed with Joy
by Mrs. SpreadbTOW Mrs. TOwnley
was 10 the act Of untying the last
string, when she suddenly bethought
her other black satchel, in which II was
her custom to carry her purse, and
which had been deposited with her bon
net and phrasOl on chair In the cor
ner Of the room with the preclpltancy
invariably displayed by her sex at such
JuDctures, she rose and stepped over
to get IT, The parasol and bonnet were
"a. h.. ..l.f a. Ia. N.l. 81