Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-07-17
not such responsibility as young girl"
cob, l don't know,n sighed Mrs. Am
brose, piteously ~ think I. would rather
have young person, even if she did wear
chignons and feathers Widows are

and it won't be nice and comfortable, as
it used to be. And then, my dear, she is
certain to be quite young; no middle-aged
person would have taken the trouble to
train herself, even if she had the clever
ness, which isn't likely Depend upon it,
she will be young and pretty, and ali the
shopmen will be falling in love with her
and the people will talk scandal, and
there will be unpleasantness." e~ a.
Il don't see that it follows" I said
rather sharply; but did not like the way
she spoke of widows. 1t is very odd but
women whose husbands are alive ALWAYS
give themselves airs about us. | think it
is because they are jealous of our power
of marrying again, having, as it We're, two
chances to their one; at least, [ cannot
discover any other reason, but, Of course,
there may be one that do not know of
CHAPTER II.
In fortnight Mrs. Henry arrived. 1t
was a long journey from Hatley to St
Bridget's, and the last four miles had to
be done by road in an omnibus that iolted
z good deal, so that people were apt to be
tired when they reached the town Mr..
like the courly old gentleman
he was, went down to meet the new mis-
tress at the Silver Fish, where the omni
bus always stopped.
Il dare say she will like to 90 straight
home, but you had better invite her to
come here to tea" said his wife, as he went
away. And l, hearing the invitation
given, and being very curious to see Mrs.
Henry, thought that it would be unkind
to leave Mrs. Ambrose alone during the
interval of expectation.
Now they are coming cried the poor
lady, as we heard the gate door open. II
shan't know what to say to her, Mrs. Ac-
ton; l wish | hadn't asked her to Gomez
Its no matter, for the Vicar is alone,n
[ replied, looking out of the window,
whence | could see that gentleman ap
the house.
He came straight into us, but his face
wore an expression Of dismay
"Welln' we cried as he entered. Then.
seeing his face, his wife exclaimed, ooh,
Justin, what is it? Is she so very bad?'
"Badn' cried the Vicar, standing in
front of us. "What the Dickens could
Dobson send her here for? l wrote for
did't I, Mrs. Actonsn
Il believe So" [ replied, meekly;
hasn't he sent one?"
"Oh, do tell us what she is" entreated
49,, .sDo'+au ~ i!'',1 WHIT
M door obo i =, o' 100, !" 1,os 81; ~
and them he sat down ayd I Inoi- [n ~ toai
md we lool,oJ at b;n, anu 'ooAoo a' US
~ e. nv ''' lii
OF d leW moments we were TOO much
as 20, IanN u SPEAK.
\ la1f "nat shail we 90 with her:'
i ,h Sad MIS- ampro?e, presently, as all
'he aoeaal CollpilcaIlohs OF the posltlon
rose ..T be et'a th neF ho,hor e,ooo =,
.tl has .t1e on.hel Vi III l loreSee all
s 81. " .,ai,lt.eitleS, s,Sheo Ihe !cari
- 90 - oo iioi pou, no a''oeI'' ollSh.-
e end "l'i Peanaps otli t people won't
How is She dre eo s -, ' aslnd eaaerlv
All in hIacil 1ool,in% 800 and
strainht somehow,,
.sIS She nrettys,,
Mop
stTha., eney won't fr1u her out" said,
IF woman isn't pretty
and well dressed, and does not call herself
a lady, she will only be found out by her
own Glass;
How can yOu hnOw?' said the Vicar,
looking at he.
Never mind howl know; and if we
and Mrs. Henry are wise enough to keep
our own council and our own places, it
Will be all right"
But won't she expect to be treated as
a lad y-askcd to dinner and all that"
asked Mrs. Ambrose, dOubtfully.
Il think not" said the Vicar; "and if
She does we can't help it. If she is a
lady, she will recognize her position and
accept 1t
"Hadn't you better write to Mr. Dob
SOM"
"Perhaps [ had" and he went away
and did it. "
Before the answer came I had seen Mrs.
Henry at her work in the school, and at
once gave in to the Wears decision.
She was . 1adv without any manner Of
doubt The tone Of voice the graceful
how the nuiet hands the selfn0xsessrd
dirnitv of her manner made her seem to
nv moor old ewes a very fine lady indeed
Rnt she was dressed in q common black
stuff dress Ivitb littIa folds of hlack crane
round The throat and wrists and a cuaint
sort of can that covered nearly ali her
hair There waSnot . snack of Lri chtneco
or single detail of prettiness in her Whole
&
could not tell how old she was. She
might have been thirty; she might have
been five-and-forty. | used to watch her
for half-hours at a time to try and settle
the question to my own satisfaction, but
I was always puzzled. The unbecoming
dress mystitied me, and I had to give it
up; but | sometimes used to picture her
dressed in other garments, and fancy that
she would be a very different looking
woman if her costume were different AS
it was she looked so small and insignifi-