The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-03-11
ed fingers which 80 loved to toy with

them. Zclia Kcndon, late Zclia Smith,
was "thc only daughter" Of "poor but
respectable parents" and the one great
business Of her mothers life had been
to keep up appearances, educate ZeIia
IN a fashionable boarding school, and
got her we'll settled in life -; and when
she captivated and married the wealthy
lawyer kcndon, the struggling mamma
ieE like saying with old Simeon,
Lord, no" let thy servant depart in
peace AS her daughter left tn. mod
est paternal home, "a bride, in her own
carriage, All the smiling mother no
ticed through her smiling tears that
STAT was turned in every one Of the
Venit:an blinds which shaded the from.
win dows of those ''upstartish Maxwells
with their three hoyden daughters"
across the way, she certainly did feel
a proudsatisfaction in the Consciousness
of having done her whole duty.
While Margaret laid aside her bon
net aud shawl, look out her pocket
brush and smoothed her hair, the tall
brlsh: lady looked upon her with a
pleased Interest, and opening her child
like blue eyes to their utmost she SAID:
"'Ay, what funny little thing
you arc: Aud you are not widow
elt':cr, are you?
1t WAS impossible net . be charmed
ty her, and Margoret|s heart went out
to her ia warm sisterly love. She
telt more at home than she had done
since she had left home, and answer
ed:
"Ot, no: nothing but an old maid"
'Oh, hor.id! But you must not be
that. How old are you 2"
"Iwcnty-fye at your service; and
half way to twcnty-siz, With not beau
on hand, or the least prospect in the
future. Hopeless, isn't it ?" she add
ed, as the volatile lady stood trying to
whistle ous her surprise, then dropped
into seat and regarded her with an
air Of ejaculation; before replying:
"WelI, it approaches the desperate.
butt net just hopeless. You mustn't tell
no" old you are. you little goose, and
no one would dream. You have splendid
complexion and hair, eyes, nose, mouth,
chin I'LL capital, bat your fgure-pshaw
And that dress! You must change that
arrangement, and we'll see what can
be done. Here's Winston, a capital
old bach, ricl, as cream. One never
can get Lin ;'.:v cvaapaoy, but he's an
cid college chum of the Judges, was
his partner, makes his home with US,
and spends great part of his time in
the office. Ycu must set your cap for
him. Whew: isn't it horrid. this
growing old? Just to think, I shall
be twenty-one tomorrow"
"And your hair not bit grey" ="
Margaret added with mock wonder
"And l think I saw you reading with
out glasses, but perhaps you have your
second sight:''
Mrs. kendon burst out into rippl;ng,
childish laughter, saying:
II knew you were funny little thing.
and | hope you'll stay with US all the
time. It's as dull here as a Quaker
meeting. Oh, beg pardon"
Margaret was pleased to see that she
really appeared panied at thought of
having spoken lightly OF what to her she
supposed was sacred It was the first
trace Of genuine feeling she had ex-
hibited, and Margaret answered:
"Qh; nothing wrong! I am not a
Quaker, and if I were it would be no
matter. Quakers are accustomed to
have the worlds people think their
meetings dull, and are slow to take Of
tense where none is intended. But
had not l better go to the children ?"
"Oh, yes, to be sure. or there may
be trouble in camp, and poor l''-rat-
tied on the mother. II want ever 50
much to 50 ever to mas, but could
not get back before dinner. Couldn't
you tell his Honor that mother sent for
nc? There's dear. Brcwny would
do that for me-"
"But, Mrs. Kendon, it would not be
true"
"Qh, don't be ridiculous. It's only
little white lle.'
'But white lies turn black as soon as
they get the air -
"Oh, we'll, never mind, you absurd
little thing. I shall send James with
note to de BAUM" and hummiug
polka to which she danced out of the
room, she left Margaret to proceed to
the nursery.
At dinner Margaret found that the
children's places were on each side of
their father, and her own on the other
side Of the little Mary. There were
thick white rulbcr cloths to prevent
their soiling the table linen, table aprons
aud every convenience. When they
were seated the waiter brought her a
small tray having a bottle lying on a
rubber case, silver cup full of warm
milk, dish of sugar and a SPOON
Freddy evidently knew this to be his
dinner, and hailed its appearance with
delight. When she had prepared the