The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-01-03

and Miss Theodosia Agnes Napier, in
IN artless toilet of white muslin and
half open rosebuds, emblematic of her
own youth, directed her sweetest
glances toward the stiff old bachelor
doctor, whose wealth was reported to
be considerable. Other guests were
also assembled-the elite of the CITY
and Mrs. Napier's heart thrilled with
pleasure as she glanced around up
on various personages grouped about
her room
{ Mrs. Napier was a Napoleon in soci-
nj llfe--an Alexander in crinoline =
LII she had been man she would have
left an impress on the shores of time;
being woman, her sphere was neces-
sarily contracted. Born parvenue,
she had resolved from the very first to
conquer the white citadels of society
Always struggling with limited means,
adverse circumstances and unlucky
combinations of events, Mrs. Napier
had set herself to work to conquer
fate, and she had nearly achieved her
purpose. Outward appearances were
her forte; and as to principle, Mrs
Napier was INSCRIPTIONS as any mod
ern European statesman. Now at
length she was beginning to reap the
harvest she had waited and watched
SO long for, and her spirit rose mp with
IN her exultant heart, in spite of the
supercilious insolence with which
many of her guests treated her.
They need a lesson, these foolish
aspiring upstairs, be said, within
himself, land this is the most fitting
opportunity for administering it.
SO the tide of dinner table talk ebb-
ed and flowed. and bon mots sparkled
with evanescent glitter, and people
laughed at they scarcely knew what,
and the rose-beaded champagne cir
cled round and round the board, and
Mrs. Napier thought triumphantly to
herself, 1t will be success.
just then DR.. Maynard calm, mon
otonously pitched voice broke in upon
a silence that had momentarily settled
upon the festive assemblage.
=" Mrs. Napire," he said, looking full
at the hoastess, this is very elegant
tablecloth"
AIRS. Napier smiled blandly, and in
ciined her head, but the pearl orna-
mehts tinkled softly. 1t was very
singular remark, but then every one
knew that Dr.. Maynard was one of
those eccentric geniuses that nobody
pretends to understand or criticise.
And those napkins are as white as
the driven snow, went on the doctor,
critically surveying the double damask
or his lap.
Again Mrs. Napier bowed. More
over, pursued the doctor in the same
calm, unvarying tone, have been adj
miring Miss Napiers white muslin
dress.
Ali, yes, simpered the gratifed
mamma, White is very becoming to
nay Theodosia's style.
And she glanced towards Theodosia,
who was playing with her Black Ham
burg grapes in a manner eminently
calculated to display her rings.
You must have very good laun-
dress, said the doctor abruptly.
| believe Mrs Tooley is quite
competent to her business, answered
Napier, little puzzled, but trying to
indicate her claims to the best society
by expressing ne symptoms OF sur
prise whatever.
You are quite satisfied with her
then, madam :"
Quite !"
Then why don't you pay her for
her work 2
The elite dropped:ts silver forks and
sat down its glasses of champagne;
quite uncertain whittier this singular
investigation was about to lead. Mrs.
Napier turned scarlet.
DR.. Maynard, | do not understand
you.
Do YOU not, madam Then | will
try and speak little more plainly
Mrs. Tooley is one of my tenants-shs
cannot raj. her rent because Mrs. Ma
pier has not paid her cent for the
five weeks washing she had done. AS
l cannot for an instant suppose that
Mrs. Napier would withhold the wag-
es Of her laundress on any other
ground that of inability to pay, | can
only suppose her too poor to tiischasge
her rightful dues"
Under these melancholy circum-
stances replied the ruthless doctor,
Il beg leave to suggest taking up a
collection at the table for the benefit
of Mrs. Napier's distressed washerwo-
man whose bills have not been paid
1 put in a quarter imyself-will some
body be good enough to pass the china
plate ?"
The china plate went round the ia
bic in perfect silence, and returned to
its original place well filed. The elite,
his hands in his pockets, and his brows
contracted.
AS he entered his Office, several
blocks below, the FIRST thing that met
his eve was a note written on perfum-
ed paper, and sealed with gorgeous
beraldic device in rose colored wax.
Hum-ml" muttered the doctor,
between his closed lips Mr.. Napier's
compliments; pleasure of DR.. May
nard's company to dinner on Thurs
day next, at 8 O'Clock. Another OF
their champagne and turbot celebra-
tons, eli /? Well--well-these things
are not much to my fancy, but | be-
lieve-I-will," repeated the Doctor