The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-08-31

one have known or should know.
Old Mrs Halliburton, with her keen eyes
and beAk nose glanced ply back toward
George, whom she had Ut perceived, and
nodded.
- II is that young person whom Jane Ap
pleton brought up. She II married nov to
one Of our men, believe"
George found Paul Appleton and his
bride holding a sort Of formal reception
The rooms-where her own wedding had
been solemnized year before we're quite
filled with guests. A very dainty and
graceful bride was the new Mrs Paul, in
her lavender train and point-lace shall.
George tried not to feel the least tinge Of
envy as she looked at her.
Aunt Appleton had always sense Of
gratitude towards her protege for having
forborne to fascinate either OF her own
manageable boys, and this gratitude crop
ped out i'll active kindness under the exul-
tation she felt over Pauls match.
/ George moved easily about the well-furn-
ished rooms somehow she seemed just
fitted for such surroundings. The subdued,
well bred manners, the faint perfumes, the
refined faces, and the rich dresses, were
like stlmulant to her She needed such
quickening to be fully herself. Her com
posed. delicate beauty unfolded to perfec
ton in this atmosphere.
She had been talking to one and another,
taking in shapes and trimmings with her
quick artists eye, and IN a pause was Just
retiecting on the hang Of the new curtains
when voice said near her
I" seem not to be able to recall you at
all, Mrs Randall. Yet must have Known
you before went away. My mother has
Just told me your name, and ! have come
to reclaim acquaintance if you Will permit
me.
y remember you perfectly, Mr. Hall
burton, George returned quietly
was hardly grown up when you left us, ,ive
years ago.
Five years All, true enough Won't
You take this chair What lovely lily
Why, 1t is not real n
No these WAX flowers are very like
nature, though almost a plagiarism don
you think 50, Mr. Haliberton 4
Why, yes. II must be quite difficult
to make them dare say they bring
good price
Under her serene smile quick thought
went through George Randalls mind. She
began to examine the gentleman before her
with interest.
Stephen Halliburton was a gentleman by
habit and a man Of the world by force
Of circumstances But nature intended
him for dihgent, painstaking, persevering
man Of busi less
IL he was not great or very good
man, it was because he had SO much time,
50 much money, 50 much fattery. He was
spoiled by his opportunities, yet he need
ed only the right influence to elevate him
beyond himself He was thirty years old
now-he was past the age when man dis
dams to be led by women. But Stephen
Halliburton had never disdained it. He
had always been led by the keen-eyed,
beak nosed woman in steel silk, who, as
George talked with the heir, sat holding
her wine-cup up to the freight not far
off.
The heir seemed to like Mrs. Randall's
talk perhaps because there was so little Of
it. In return he was rather unreserved- -
gossiping about his plans and his prospects.
He said that he was glad to get home. He
meant to settle down at Milleville now
look after his factories and the operatives,
and introduce some improvements. He
wanted better class Of work more taste
full designs he hadn't seen pretty print
from the factory. Didn't Mrs. Randall
agree with him
Yes she agreed with him. 1t was
strange basis for parlOr gossip-Oils, chem
lcals, designs for calicoes. He was sur
prised to tnd how much she knew about
1t and she-she was little surprised her
self The most delicate pink began to
flush her checks, the irises Of her eyes
grew into great black fakes full Of luster.
All at once, at last, she turned casual
glance without the window.
E" Why" she said, with slight start,
" it is almost dark And believe it is
raining. | must go at once.
She stepped towards the window. Great
plashing drops were falling upon the flag
stones. The dull November daylight was
almost gone.
Mr. Halliburton arose also.
: Did you walk E. he inquired. =" Let
US take you home. My mother will be
going soon.
The little stir attracted Mrs. Appleton,
who-most Of the guests have gone-was
devoting herself to Mrs. Halliburton.
Stay to tea, George, she suggested.
John knows you are here-doeshe notg'
" Yes but it is raining. | think ! had
better not stop"
~ have been asking Mrs Randall to
take seat with us, mother, interDOsed
Stephen Halliburton.
'Ah, yes i said the lady, with con
trscted nostrils and prolonged lip again.
g shall be happy"
And then the keen eye overlooked Geor-
gle, as if to ask if there were any Just
cause Why the Halliburton carriage, the
Halliburton horses, and it might be the
Halliburton heir, should traverse the length
Of Millville to take home this young per
son. who had married one Of the Halibur
ton employees.
George stood unmoved, a little concern
ed as to whe ether her last dress and bonnet
should walk or ride, not at all concerned
as to her own disposal.
The factory bell had done ringing, and
John Randall was in sight Of home Just
a. the carriage Of his employer stopped at
the door, and his wife stepped from it
He did not, however, overhear her say to
Stephen Halliburton. If you call to-
morrow afternoon, l will show you what
mean"
nAu you phcooAHt diIoTHooHt HcI
husband asked, by-And-by, as they sat at
the tea-table.
Every pleasant" she said thoughtfully.
1t was very polite in Mrs. Halliburton
to bring you home"
'Tes, l should have spoiled my dress"
1t was always with little effort that
John Randall could get his wife to talk,
and she seemed peculiarly silent tonight,
and absent a. well as silent.
Her eyes were brighter, too, than COM
mon-her face little flushed. He was
too generous, too unsel6sh a man to be-
grudge her even a happiness in which he
had no part but something in her alb
straction filed him with uneasiness. The
uneasiness was not decreased when, reach
ing home . little before the usual hour
the following afternoon, he met Stephen
| Halliburton lust leaving the house. nor