Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-02-05

lessly, to his mother. 81 suppose it i
some one 1 have known or SHOULD
know"
Old Mrs. Halliburton with her keer
eyes and beak nose, glanced sharply
back towards GeorEy, whom she had
not perceived, and nodded lightly.
"Itis that young person whom james
Appleton brought up. She is married
now to one of our men, 1 believe"
Georgy found Paul Appleton and his
bride holding sort of formal reception
The roems-where her own wedding
had been solemnized year before
were quite filed with guests. A very
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 look
ed at her. ..
Aun. Appleton had always a sense of
gratitude towards her protege for hav-
ing forborne to fascinate either of her
own manageable boys, and this graft
tude cropped out in active kindness un-
der the exultation she felt over Paul's
match '.ei 80 lf5dti-
Georgy moved easily about the well
furnished 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 a stimulant to
her. She needed such quickening to be
fully herself. Her composed, delicate
beauty unfelded to perfection in this at
mosphere.
She had been talking to one and an
ether, taking in shades and trimmings
with her quick artists eye, and in
pause was just rejecting upon the hang
Of the new curtains, when a voice said
near her:
81 seem not to be able to recall you at
all, Mrs. Randall. Yet / must have
known you before 1 went away. Ny
mother has just told me your name, and
have come to reclaim acquaintance, if
you will permit me-"
81 remember You perfectly. Mr.. Hal
iburton," Georgy returned, quickly. 81
was hardly grown up when you left us,
five years ago."
give years? All true enough! Won't
you take this chair? What lovely
lily! Why is it not real?"
"No; these wax flowers are very like
nature though-almost a plagiarism
don't you think so, Mr.. Haliburton?"
Il "Why, yes. 1t must be quite difficult
to make them. 1 dare say they bring
good price,"
Under her serene smile a quick
thought went through Georgy Randall's
mind. She began to examine the gen.
tleman before her with interest.
Stephen Halliburton was a gentleman
by habit and man of the world by force
of circumstances. But nature intended
him for dillgent, painstaking, perse-
vering man Of business.
If he was not great or a very good
man, it was because he had so much
time, SO much money, so much fiattery.
He was spoiled by his opportunities, yet
he needed only the right influence to
elevate him beyond himself. He was
30 years old now-he was past the age
when man disdains to be led by a wo-
man. But Stephen Halliburton had new
er disdained it. He had always been
led by the keen eyed, beak nose woman
in steel silk, who, as Georgy talked with
the heir, sat holding her wine-cup up
to the fire light 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 unre-
served-gossipping about his plans and
prospects. He said that he was glad to
get home. He meant to settle down at
Millville now; look after his factories
and the operatives, and introduce some
improvements. He wanted q better
class of work-more tasteful designs
he hadn't seen pretty print from the
factory. Didn't Mrs. Randall agree
with him? .
.. Yes, she agreed with him. It was a
strange basis for parlor gossip-sils,
chemicals and designs for cilicoes. He
was surprised to find how much she
knew about it; and she-she was little
surprised herself. The most delicate
pink began to flush her cheeks, the lris-
es of her eyes grew into great black
flakes full of lustre. All at once she
turned a casual glance out Of the W in
dow. ..f- Len s.,
sWhy," she said with slight start,
cit Is almost dark. And l believe it is
raining. I must 60 at once"
She stepped towards the window.
Great splashlng drops were falling up
on the hagstones. The dull November
daylight was almost gone.
Mr.. Halliburton rose also.
aDid you walk?" he inquired. "Let
us take you home. My mother will be
going soon."
The little stir attracted Mrs. Apple
ton, who-most of the guests having
gone--was devoting herself to Mrs.
Halliburton. ..r
aStay to tea, Georgy," she suggested,
"John knows you are here-does he
not?"
ayes, but it is raining. think l had
better not STOP" Io. oaY 4
"I have been ssking Mrs. Randall to
take a seat with us, mother, "interposed
Stephen Halliburton. lij
@Ah, yes," said the lady with con-
tracted nostrils and prolonged lip, again.
81 shall be happy"
And then the keen eye overlooked
Georgy, as If to ask If there were any
just cause why the Halliburton carriage,
the Halliburton heir, should traverse the
length of Millville to take home this
young person, who had married one Of
the Halliburton employees. L.
Georgy stood unmoved, little con-
cerned as to whether her last dress or
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,
.slr att fi