Year: 1869

''When thou makest adinner, or supper, call not
thy friends, nor thy brethren neither thy kinsmen
nor thy rich neighbors.


"And 80 we are really settled in our own house.
Itseems too good to be true, don't p


As John Sterling pretty wife was speaking, she
let down the soft, heavy-falling brocatee curtains
of the handsome room, half parlor, half library,
where she sat with her husband turned on lit
tie more gas, so that the Italian peasant GIRL and
the dark, bright Spanish woman, on the alabaster
shade of the drop-light, might display their beau
ties yet more glowingly; and then seated herselfiu
little easy.chair beside the lounge where her hus-
band lay stretched out in the enjoyment of the
masculine comforts-evening ease and household
sovereignty Taking up dainty bit Of bright
colored knitting, she went on:


1T was very nice, to be sure, boarding at moth
ers, but it was sort of vacant life after ALL This
is so much better have something to do now. y
John Stirling smiled.


''And something to govern. After all, believe
it is the love of power that makes you women so
delight in homes of your own. l don't doubt,
gentle as you women seem, that your servants lind
you as austere as the Great Mogul."


II declare, John, you are too bad; never scold
and I'm sure everything has gone on sonicely since
we have been here


"A whole week and all the brooms new. But
don't look sober. 1 have every confidence in your
ability to keep the wheel moving


She sat silent awhile until her husband began
to want to hear her voice again, and rallied her
from her abstraction.


"What is it, little one? You seem in q brown
study about something. Remember I'm your
prime minister, and must know all the state secrets
and cares of government.


II was only wondering, John, whether you
would see certain matter as | do. Do you real
ize how many parties we went to while we were at
mothers? There were the Hurlbuts asked US
three times, and the Graysons twice. and you know
we went everywhere"


John Stirling knew that very well. Somewhat
reserved of nature to those of his own house
hch. and not fond of general society, going to
continual round of parties had been one OF the
sacrifices he had made during the first winter of
his marriage, to please his gay little wife. The
idea crossed his mind as she spoke, that she, too
had wearied of so much excitement, and was 60
ing to propose, for the future, quieter life.


eyes, l like it," she said, with little embar-
rassment, for her woman's intuition OWNED the
course his thoughts had taken. "Iwas only think
ing, John, that having accepted so many invita-
tions every one would say we were mean If we
did not give at least one large party in return. 1t
would be just the best time now, don't you see
Everything we have is so fresh and new-our
drawing rooms are really elegant. should so like
to gather our friends round US, and give sort of
house warming


'Thats primitive, comfortable sounding term,
Nellie How much would this friendly little affair
cost us?''


'Oh! I've thought that all over We should
have to ask every one we know 1t wouldn't do
to slight any, Besides, the more the merrier, you
know We could have Smith get up the supper
and furnish the decorations. His bill would be
about three hundred and ffty-say fifty more for
music; and new dress for me-


Five hundred dollars, eh, Nelle?'


"Yes, I'm sure could make five hundred do it
handsomely. could send out the invitations for
week afternext"


"Well, dear, you must let me dream over it, |
really didn't know receptions were such expensive
affairs. Five hundred dollars for an evenings en-
tertainment; and the prospect of a hard winter,
and much suffering among the poor. Well, LII
tell you in the morning. If can make up my
mind that it is right, you shall have the party.


The rest of the evening was little constrained.
The young wife, seeing that her husband did not
care to talk about the reception any more just then,
struggled bravely to avoid the subject, and, mas
much as it held possession of all her thoughts was
rather an absent minded companion.


Gov Ga no
side him, John Stirling spent an hour of not un-
troubled thought. Unlike Nellie, he had been
brought up in quiet country home, where five
hundred dollars would have been thought by nc
means inadequate provision for the support OF q
whole family during the entire year. Wasitri right
could it be right, to spend it upon one evening
entertainment, for the sake, too, of people who
would be in no wise benefited thereby-whose
choicest pleasures were so common that they had
already palled upon their senses. But then, as
his wife had suggested, they had been out so much
would not this drawing back from a return Of civ
ilities look very mean? And John Stirling shrank
with all the pride of sensitive man, from the least
imputation of meanness. They were not rich.
True his capital was his own and his business was
GOOD but he had not felt that he could spend more
than three thousand a year on home expenses, and
here was five hundred extra, upon which he had
notcounted, coming at once. Surely he could dare
for such cause to stint his contributions for the
relief Of the suffering? Could he afford it with
ont? Nellie, the INDUCED child of wealthy pa
ronts knew nothing of such anxious thoughts
she only heard the result in the morning. Before
he gave her his goodbye kiss, he said, in tone {
little more sober than meant it should be,


"Wen, dear, you shall have your party. Yor
can begin making your arrangements at once
Here is a hundred dollars for the feminine adorn
ments. l will pay Smith and the music after
L.,