Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-03-28

stand. She had always the credit of
possessing excellent sense, and truth
of character, but I will say to you,
Aunt Rebecca, that query has sug-
gested Itself to my mind whether the
Weston's are not living on principles
of shabby gentility,' than which, you
know, few things would present more
household discomfort. They seem to
live very handsomely, it is true, but
may make efforts to economize where
economy is least commendable and
most trying, in servants, for instance,
and every day comforts. Mr.. Weston
may think it policy to appear in bet
ter circumstances than he is, though
shamming does not seem, to my mind,
in keeping with his character, still less
should 1 think penuriousness."
" There is no trace of penuriousness
in Charles Weston's character. A more
generous-hearted, open-handed man,
does not live, my dear!" here quickly
interrupted Aunt Rebecca. ellis means,
too, are increasing abundantly where
with to crafty every impulse; and Sue
has handsome independent income
of her own. From what possible prem
ises, Emma, could you deduct such
false conclusions ?"
"False! am glad to hear they are
SO, if there is nothing worse. Sues
peculiar manner, different at home from
what it is abroad, is the only ground
for surmise, which perhaps 1 ought not
to have mentioned, resting as it does on
what may seem to you such shadowy
foundation. Let me mention some tri-
fes; for instance, her refusing to let
me so to the nursery to see baby once
on the score that the room was in con-
fusion, and when she had ordered the
child down, her anxiety lest the nurse
should not bring him in nice order.
OF course I inferred she had not a COM
petent person in that capacity; and
when the little fellow; was brought in,
really as sweet and fresh as rose, I
took pains to commend the girl, for
what I presume was unwonted care on
her part, thinking it might encourage
her. This is mere nothing, know,
except as taken in connection with
other things. AS for illustration, again,
calling at Sues with Mrs. Cockren one
day last winter, we sat some time re-
calling 'old times, and rising to go,
Mrs. Cochren found, upon glancing at
her watch, that it was too late to make
other calls we had contemplated, SO
fast had the moments slipped away.
al would like very much to have
you stay and dine with u.s. said Sue.
I am sorry cannot engage to offer
you anything very tempting. My cook
though we'll recommended, is sadly de-
ficient, I find, but would be very hap
py to have you stay
"Of course we declined so equivocal
an invitation; and I, knowing what SER
wants are, should have given it little
thought had it not been that one of the
warm spring days tempted me to town
with little Annie on a shopping ex-
petition" and Mrs. Eldridee narrated
what the reader already knows, while a
quizzical kind of smile kept twitching
at the corners of Aunt Rebecca's mouth;
she very prudeutly keeping Industrious
ly at her knitting.
"I had 20 committed myself in my
blundering way, that I knew not how
to go or stay" continued Emma.
"Sue's house, ridiculous as it seems,
had become q regular Waterloo in the
volleys of regrets and apologies, and
and Uncle Stuart was veritable Blu
cher"
eyes, yes," nodded Aunt Rebecca,
81 see! A pity Sue couldn't know
about it and your original deductions"
continued she rather dryly; and there
was mirthful CLEAN, in the gray eyes
that looked over the spectacles in their
own peculiar way. You couldn't un-
derstand her. of course!' and vision
of Emma Eldridge's simple, cordial
welcomings to richer and poorer, old
and young, friend and stranger, all the
years since she had been the light and
centre of "home," rose up before
Aunt Rebecca. Know them" con-
tinued she, " housekeeping is Sue Wes-
tons hobby; and moreover that her
fastidiousness is so extreme, that it be-
comes fussiness. She makes herself