Smyrna times., 1874-01-28

steel coiored silks, was being handed from her |
carriage by her son. The Haliburtons were |
the owners of the mill in which John Randall
was employed. Stephen, the only son, had |
Just returned from a five years residence
abroad. These two facts caused Georgy to
scrutinize the mother and son somewhat close |
| ly; and, doing 80, Stephen Halliburton raised
his hat to her.
"a pretty face" he remarked, caIelessly, to
his mother. . | suppose tits some cne have
known or should know"
| Old Mrs. Halliburton with her keen eyes and
bsaE nose glanced sharply back towards
! Georgy. whom she had not perceived and nod
ded lightly.
1t is that young person whom James Ap-
pleton brought up. She is married now TO one
of our men, believe"
| Georgy found Paul Appleton and his bride
holding sort of formal reception. The rooms
where her own wedding had been solemn
lied a year before-wers quite filed with
guests. A verv dainty and graceful bride was
the new Mrs. Paul in her lavender, train, and
point-lace shawl. Georgy tried not to feel the
least tinge of envy as she looked at her.
Aunt Appleton had always 9 sense of graft
tude towards her portege TOR having forborne
to fascinats either of her own manageable
boys, and this gratitude cropped out in active
kindness under the sxultatiOn she felt over
Pau1s match.
ed 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 stimulant to
her. She needed such quickening to be fully
herself Her composed, delicate beauty un-
J folded to perfection in this atmosphere.
She had been talking to one and another,
taking in shapes aud trimmings with her quick
J , artists eye, and in pause was Just rejecting
upon the hang OF the new curtains, when
voice said near her:
Il 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 ac-
quaintancs if you will permit me-
remember you perfectly, Mr.. Halibur
! ton." Georgy returned, quietly. 81 was
hardly grown up when you left US, five years
ago"
:" Five years? All true enough Won't you
take this chair2 What lovely lilly Why it is
not real ?"
; No; these way flowers are very like nature
though-almost plagiarism; don't you think
J 50 Mr. HaliburtnnP'
D "Why, yes. 1t must be quite difficult to
. make them. dare say they bring good
price"
t Under her serene smile quick thought went
through Georgy Randalls mind. She began
: to examine the gentleman before her with In
J. terest.
e Stephen Halliburton was a gentleman By
}; habit and man of the world by force of cir
d cumstsnces. But nature intended him for {
= diligent, palnstaking, perseverlng man OF busi
's ness.
'r If he was not great or very good man I
was because he had so much time, so much
q money, so much hattery. He was spoiled b.
y his opportunities, yet he needed only the righ
DR. influence 40 elevate him beyond himself. HI
Or was thirty years old now--he was past the ag
when a man disdains to be led by a woman
et But Stephen Halliburton had never disdainsC
it. He had always been led by the keen-eysd
TO beakuosed woman in steel silk, who, as Georg
ID talked with the heir, sat holding her wine Gu
up to the freight not far off.
20 The heir seemed to like Mrs. RandslPs talk
Up perhaps because there was SO little Of it. L
as return he was rather unreserved--gosspin
ad about his plans and his prospects He sal
r. that he was glad to get home. He meant t
=, settle down at Millville now; look after hi
"a factories, and the operatives, and introduc
u some improvements lie wanted better cas
wv of work-more tasteful designs; he hadn
ne seen a pretty print from the factory. Didn
nC Mrs. Randall agree with him
90 Yes she agreed with him. 1t was a stranp
basis for parloT gossip-oils, chemicals, design
"a; for calicoes. He was surprised to find no
all much she knew about it: and she-shs was
to little surprised herself, The most delica
pink began to flush her cheeks the irisis
~ her eyes grew into great black fakes, full
ne lustre. AL at once, at last, she turned Cal
'ut ual glance without the window.
liu "Why," she said, with slight start, /" it
almost dark. And believe it is raining.
- must 20 at once.
lp- She stepped toward the window Gre
nat stones. The dull November daylight was
asr most gone.
up Mr.. Halliburton rose also.
40 "Did you walk p he inquired. "Let
at take you home. My mother will be goi
ca, soon"
'ral The little stir attracted Mrs. Appleton, VI
-Dost of the guests having gons-was dsvC
ap- ing herself to Mrs. Halliburton.
: Stay to tsa, Georgy," she suggeste
ust John knows you are hers-does he not 2''
av- Yes; but il is raining / think had b.
YET ter not STOP"
to II have been asking Mrs Randall 10 TAX,
seat with US, mother" intsrpOssd Stsph
-. Halliburton.
lit "Ah, yes said the lady, with contract
,bs postrils and prolonged lip again. " shall
bic. And then the keen eye overlooked Geor
'ud- as if to ask If thers were any Just cause w
'sw, the Halliburton carriage. ths Halliburton he
dull should traverse the length of Millvills 30 "a
OVID home this yoang person who had married {
Liou OF the HanDurt0n employees.
nrst Georgy stood unmoved a little concerned
u, q to whether her last dress or bonnet should W
or ride, not at all concerned as to her own
on's posal
nsr- The factory bell was done ringing and Jc
ont Randall was in sight of home just as the
riage Of his employer stopped at the door,
:, his wife stepped from it. He did not, h
ould ever, overhear her say to Stephen Haliburt
this Ii you call to morrow afternoon, | will 81
,ials you what mean. a.t..H
be =" Had you a pleasant afternoon?' her h
+ at band asked, by and by, as they sat at the
table.
ysO "Very pleasant she said thoughtfully.
- " 1t was very polite in Mrs Halliburton
oom bring you home" ..I ..a ~.
l..