The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-08-26

Allen CORTLAND, of Stamford, Conn etc.
The paper slipped from her hand, and
for an hour or more she dreamed of the
happy mightnave been. How she had
misiudged him! And he was gone,
Three hundred and thirtyone girls and
women presented themselves at her room
during the next four days. Ten per cent
of them knew their business fairly well :;
/ 90 per cent. W ere totally ignorant of the
whole subject. After much discussion a
girl who had a tirst-class talent for doing
exactly as she was told was selected, and
in a new room on West Fourteenth street
the two set up larger and more conven-
lent establishment. The girl kept the
books and the mistress shopped for pro-
! fession. The weeks grew to months and
| the winter came. Mdlle Isolena con-
stantly spread her advertisement before
the rural public and the fame of her bar
gains filled the feminine mind with adj
miration She slowly and surely pros
pered and tried to think herself happy, and
failed.
In all this neither father nor sister nor
brothers ever visited her. She worked for
a living They never could forgive that.
Madison Square concluded she must have
died. and nobody ever contradicted the ru-
NOR. Mdlle Isolena was often use
! full to Madison Square, but none knew
her. She had changed somewhat, grown
more placid and quiet, and her face had
put on womanly beauty the Isolena of
Madison Square had never known.
Suddenly the clerk gave notice that she
must leave. All, yes! going to he married.
| That was it. Her work was only make
shift till man could be found to support
her. After some delay Isolena found her
| father and he called to see her. Would
he keep her books for her: "Never
She was an ungrateful girl thus to blast
| the family name. Julia never did, nor
Edward, nor Thomas" Could he support
her? Well, no, not very conveniently,
He was busy on the street and it took all
he could pick up to pay his board and the
bows board. By the way, he was just a
| little short. Could she lend him twenty
dollars for day or two? In silence she
gave him ten dollars and he went away
without even thanking her.
She sat down indignant and heart-sore,
and would have cried for shame and
misery had not visitor knocked. Patty
Van Stupen.
Isolena! Can l believe MYSELF"
Eyes, Patty, it is l. Can l be of serv-
ice?"
"Service Isolena Van Rensselaer,! One
would think you were mademoiselle."
So am"
"Great Heavens! has it come TO this?'
Il do not know what you mean, Miss
Van Stupen. Shopping is my profession
This is my office, and | am neither ashamed
nor afraid. explained it to you once by
letter Oh, pardon me! You are married
| Mrs-Nrs.- -"
johnson, Isolena l never received
your letter, and | am truly grieved and
shocked"
Il do not know why you need be.
have a good name in my business and
owe no man anything"
" Does my brother know OF this-thls
great mlsfOrtuneY'
He once knew that l worked for q
living, but that was long time ago.
| have not seen him for a year or more"
He is in Germany. Did you not heal
how that spiteful Amy Ramsey served
him? Poor boy! He lost his money Oh
the street and then she left him and mar
ried Courtland Then poor Van broke
down and father sent him abroad; and its
cheaper living there, you know. Father
allows"
There was a sudden knock, loud and
oily. The mistress said: Come in
and big fellow entered, breathless and
rosy with excitement-and something
else. The two women were for moment
silent with astonishment. Isolena found
her tongue first.
"Van"
"Isolenal Patty! Dear girls, how are
you both?"
He offered hand to each.
"How you surprised us! When die
you return?"
zone hour since. l bought Herald
and read the dear girls ad., and here
came"
"Oh, Vanr' said the two, and with q
different tone to the Ivan" and the "oh.'
"Im cured, Isolena. | have cut the
parental string and defied Madison
| O world
but I'm going to work like Alike man
Know anybody who has spare job?"
"Frederick Lorberry Van Stupen, 1 am
amazed! l cannot listen to such Ian
guage. Grandmother Van Stupen viii
never forgive you"
Bother grandmothern' replied Fred
erick. "Say, sister, couldn't you JUS
run home and tell 'em I'm returned? Ior
can take the carriage at the door"
a will at once, for l am grieved ano
surprised beyond expression, and l mus
consult with my parents"
"Do-do. 1t will be kind in you"
"Allow me to wish you very good
morning, Mdlle Isolena."
This Mrs. Patty johnson SAID in toler
able French, and the shopper replied witt
equal grace and better French.
Once more they were alone. For mo
ment neither spoke, and then with smile
she drew near, and said, quietly:
care you familiar with bookkeeping
sir?"
"Yes, marm, and I write very goo(
hand"
II am in want of book-keeper, ant
shall be pleased to employ you.'
"I am deeply grateful, nademoiselle
for YOUR kind offer. You will pardon m
if I ask concerning the prospect of an in
terest in the business-if tried to b
good"
She drew near, and diviner light fille'
her eyes, and her lips parted in an ill-sup
pressed smile.
! "If you please me, sir, and you are very
very good, we will go into partnership il
Just SIX weeks from this day"
"Under the style Of"
"Isolena, Van Stupen & Co."
No more honorable and successful firm
can be found in New York than the dry
goods and millinery purchasing house G
Isolena Van Stupen & Co., in West Foul
, teenth street More than this, it is grow
ing house. The company has increase
materially. There are two already-twln'
, -Harper's Magazine.
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