The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-02-08
"Well, I niver,w burst rorrn Bridget,

"Well. I nirerw burst rorrn Bridget,
Indignantly.
Il have nothing to blush for," said
Syblett, firmly. "Have you lost your
senses"
"Oh! he's nothing to blush for"
sneered Mrs. Syblett, Historically.
And you're not q bit ashamed of
dressing up your dear Fanny in jew
elry, and treating her to ice cream and
champagne suppers, suppose?"
Treating Fanny to ice cream and
| champagne? What on earth are you
talking about??"
II am talking about the wretched
creature for whom you have neglected
your wife. Don't deny anything-1
know all about it, I found her photo
graph in your precious notebook-hand
it here, Bridget. And found her name
in the same book-a memorandum to
go and sec Fanny" this very evening!
Business, indeed! So that was the im-
portant business which took you away
from your wife and your homeland
with that wretch, Joe Crewesw
1t was study to behold Svblett's
countenance while his injured and in
dignant wife thus brought home to
him all these accumulated charges.
First, there was look of wonder and
perplexity, then Of sudden intelligence,
followed by the oldest expression i'm
aginable.
And when she concluded he sank into
the nearest hail chair, tried to speak
apparently in explanation-and then,
leaning back, laughed long and loud.
"Sure, it's an unfalin' baste he is, in
tirely" muttered Bridget.
Then Syblett calmed himself, wiped
his eyes, and addressing his wife in a
voice still quivering with suppressed
mirth:
Emma, do you know whose picture
this is?"
Don't presume to speak to ne
don'tr' sobbed Mrs. Syblett.
"But, my dear, allow me to explain.
Don't you remember expressing a wish
to have Mademoiselle Ferlini's picture,
to see what she looked like" Well, in
coming home this evening, 7 observed
some pictures in Bland Brothers win
dow, and purchased one, but in my
haste forgot to give it to you. This is
her photograph"
Mrs. Syblett looked up incredulously.
"You are deceiving me-" she said.
IF you doubt me, go down to Bland
Brothers tomorrow, and satisfy your
self. And now, as to Fanny-do you
know who Fanny is?"
Don't mention her to me-the horrid
creature"
Fanny isn't horrid at all, Mrs.
Syblett. She is perfect little beauty,
with bright eyes and dainty limbs
gentle as a lamb, and graceful as a
fairy. I fell in love with her at first
sight,
Mrs. Syblett gave a convulsive
scream, and beat her feet upon the
floor.
"And so will you. dear, when you
see her. She is the prettiest little pony
in the market. and just suited to a
lady's basket phaeton. I had intended
it for surprise on your birthday"
added Mr.. Syblett, gently; "but that
unfortunate notebook has spoiled my
plan"
"Oh, George, you don't mean it?"
"Well, You'll know better next time,'
he answered, soothingly; "and We will
both learn not to have secret from
each other. It's the best plan, after
all, as CreweS hinted to me from the
first.''
What has he to DO with it?'
"Why, he has taken the greatest in
terest in it all along. He's good
judge of horses, you know; and it was
he who found Fanny for me, and took
me to see her. He was quite interested
in thinking how pleased you would be,
provided-I could keep it secret from
you till the right time"
His wife flushed a little. Then she
came closer to him, and said, in sub.
dued tone:
"George-'' :
eyes, Emma"
"Ask your friend to dinner next Sum
day"
Certainly"
"And-any other time that you like"
"I'll remember
She still looked thoughtful; then said,
doubtfully:
But about the jewelers., and the
champagne supper and the ice cream?"
Syblett glanced over the memoranda.
81 made a memorandum to call at
the jewelers. for my watch, which
had left for repairs-here it is. had
also to call on the chief superintend-
ent at the gas works, whom your i'm
agination has converted into a cham
pagne supper. And, Emma, you must
have liked my friend better than you
admitted, else you would never have
taken Joe Crewes' for ice cream!".
How ridiculous! But it was all the
fault of your careless writing"
"Well, didn't expect it to be criti-
cised by lady, you know"
Mrs Syblett blushed.