Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-11-16

that was yet perfectly free from 1aWnlng-
to come to his home, and be convinced
that Mamie had made, not married, his
happiness.
Mrs. Washington was conquered by the
letter-by the sweet news that always
touches true woman's heart.
Almost all those long months since her
darling had gone from her home to be the
delight of another loving woman life, she
had been wearying for him, and daily, hour
ly, regretting that she had said such cruel
things to him.
Within an hour she was with her son at
his office, the first time she had seen him
since the day he had told her Mamie Nor
gan was his wife, and this proud woman
sobbed out her true heart fullness on her
sons breast.
sit was wrong in me, Ernest, I'll admit
it. I will endeavor to atone by going at
once to your wife. But, my boy, If can't
love her as 1 would like to, you mustn't
blame me. will you? I'll try for your own
and your baby's sake.''
Ernest smiled confidently.
"You won't have to try, mother. You'll
find the dearest little woman in the world
glad to receive you, and waiting to love
you as a dear child should. Go to her at
| once"
| She did 90, and was shown into the par
lor by the maid without giving her name,
| merely requesting the girl to tell her mis-
tress lady desired to see her.
| There came into the room slight, grace
full. girlish creature with beautiful violet
blue eyes, and hair of soft, lustrous brown,
that was crimped slightly from the part
ing, and gathered into thick Greclan
knot at the back of the classic LITTLE head.
She wore wrapper of gray serge, with
pockets, collar and buttons Of brown silk.
/ There was dainty linen collar and
bright blue ribbon bow at the neck. and
linen cuffs at the small, round wrists.
There were no earrings or jewelry ofany
kind, and Mrs. Ruslington's judgment
gave a thrill of approval-even under
protest from pride-as this girlishly wom-
anly creature came forward with an ease
| and graciousness that never could have
been acquired.
| Il
cloak and hat, please, and we will go into
the nursery. have all my dress-making
done there now. so that can keep an eye
to baby, you know
Mrs. Washington liked the voice very
much, but hardly the popularity Of adj
dress.
sin the nursery. Mrs. Ruslington? l
certainly would be glad to see the baby"
"You will see plenty of her," Mrs. En-
nest laughed, "before am done with you.
Oh, did you bring the polonaise pattern.
Mrs.-there! I told my husband never
could remember the dressmaker's name he
said he would send-Mrs.-oh, yes-Mrs.
pattern?''
Mrs. Ruslington, senior, understood it
all in flash.
Her Gaughter-in-law, whom she had
finally condescended to visit, mistook her
for the dressmaker.
MIS-. Washington, junior, was inwardly
astonished to see such digniied, we'll
dressed lady come to help her make up her
black silk and while Mamie was absent a
moment in response to a little nesting cry
from baby Helen, grand-mamma Helen
suddenly began to enjoy the situation, and
when Mamie came back, said
81 have forgotten the pattern, Mrs.
Washington, but think we can make the
skirt first, and leave the polonaise until
tomorrow
And Mrs Helen Berwyn Washington,
or Mrs. Washington, as her cards read, ac-
tually cut out and basted the breadths in
her despised daughter-in-law's black silk.
She contrived the trimming. and made
such stylish suggestions that Mamie con-
graduated herself on her acquisition.
And the while, there was not a look, a
word, gesture of the young wife's that
escaped the eyes of the deft-handed mas
querader. She watched the tender, wo-
manly way she cared for her little one; the
sensible, economical mode of her house
keeping arrangements; the plain, palata-
BILE lunch; the dignity of the young mis-
tress to her one servant; her intelligent
| industriousness and her sewing while baby
slept; her patience, her amiability, and
her beautiful unconscious alteration of her
husband that betrayed itself at every turn.
1t was not yet three oclock of that men,
orable day before Mrs. Ross Washington
had thoroughly made up her mind that her
sons wife was far superior to Genevieve
Wallace, and that Ernest had shown his
accustomed foresight, judgment, and taste
in choosing between the two.
eff only can get her to talk about me"
she thought, as she made side-plaiting,
thor oughly enjoyinS the excitement of the
Occa sion.
A while later she purposely introduced
the subject.
i "Your baby has an uncommon name,
madam. Is it fancy name ?"
"Oh, not is for my husbands mother
Isn't it beautiful name ?"
Mamie then stroked the soft little hand
lying doubled up on her bosom while the
child slept.
every pretty. So old Mrs. Ruslington's
name is Helen, is it2. Do you know 1
never had much of an opinion of her
They say she is naughty, unforgiving, and
Obstinate
ooh, 20 Mrs. Abercromble. My moth
erin law is one of the most perfect ladies
you can imagine. She may be naughty
rich people are apt to be. and she-may be
/ -unforgiving where she feels she has
been ill-used. Any one would be, would
they not But obstinate-no, am quite
sure not"
s'You are well acquainted with her
you should know"