The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-01-08

Here was an addition to her dinner
table! The Ashers of course, would ask
no questions. They would take it for
granted this was the family monogram
and crest.
every we'll, Alphonse. will take
the articles. My brother DR.. Shenley,
will pay you-some time. Direct Bar
bara to polish them with the rest of tho
plate"
The 'srest of the plate'' consisted, as
she very well knew, Of ha;f.a dozen spoons
and forks.
The momentuous hour drew nigh.
Janet, half: crying, half laughing at the
absnrtllty of her own figure, had been
forced into the gaudy new dress; he1 hair
rolled and pulled after some astounding
fashion insisted on by her aunt her aunt's
paste diamonds hung in her ears; and a
gigantic Scotch cairngorm fastened in
her breast.
"No matter how lock-" said Miss
Renshaw, heroically, as Janet protested,
putting her objections SO as to hurt her
aunt's feelings the least, but half shrink
ing from what she felt was vulgar dis
play. ut is you who are to unite the
houses. You ought to wear the family
jewelry-at least, tor to-day"
Janet, red, hot, and awkward, took her
post in the gay parior, but feeling some
times as if she would like to sink
through the floor.
"Y0u Car Ike turning over the leaves
of book when they come in. Elegant
leasure-that is the idea."
Miss Miranda surveyed the room COM
placently as she spoke, and hurried to
| the kitchen, where Barbara was dazed and
enra6 ed, struggling with dinner Of six
| courses.
The doctor had beer called to country
| patient, and would not be back until
night. For which Miss Renshaw secretly
thanked Heaven. James was hopelessly
ungenteel.
The gate clicked-they had come!
Miranda left the kitchen, rushed up
stairs and struggled into her best dress.
Meantime below, the meat was not half
done, the fish were burning up-the
soups!--
She hurried down, with that agonizcd
smile which belongs to housekeepers of
vaulting ambition.
and keeneyed, as we have seen. She
knew exactly what that amused glitter
IN Julia's eye meant as it glanced over
the room and then rested on her; she
understood Mrs. Asher's chagrined, cold
manner, which she vainly tried to bring
back to her old cordially. She under
stood Hugh's half defiant devotion to her
self. More than ever she wished the
floor would open and swallow her.
| The poor little girl was not able, like
Epictetus, you see, to possess her soul
and look down upon these things.
Miss Julia tapped her paste diamonds
playfully.
"How becoming splendor is to you'll"
she said. "You did not dazzle us with
these in Baltimore"
''Thcy are not mine," said Janet, blunt
~.
! "Heirloons- family heirloons," said
| Miss Miranda, coming in, and rushing to
the rescue. II may bestow them upon
Janet, it she marries to please me-" smil-
ing Significantly.
The dinner followed-the interminable
dreary dinner; made more wretchcd by
, the sudden disappearance of Alphonse,
; who vanished, white apron, gloves, and
all, at the appearance Of guests and was
seen no more. Barbara, in the worst OF
| humors wrestled with the six courses, and
made wholesale disaster with all.
Hugh, seated by Janet, was deaf and
blind in happiness. Mrs. Asher grew
} more grave with each moment, and Julia
, little more daring in her impertinence
Miss Miranda observed that her eyes rest
ed curiously on the silver eyergne, which
consoled her for all her disappointment
> The dinner was over at last, and the
guests sauntered out into the garden,
where the late twilight was falling slow.
".
"What did tell you, aunt2" said Ju.
liza, triumphantly. "Do you think this
will cure Hngh?''
J II confess am greatly surprised. ]
though was coming to the quiet home
} where high thoughts and noble living
> prevailed. DR.. shenley is great schol:
, ar, and Janet
"You always Ovcrrated Janet. Now
, you see the vulgarity, the pretensions, in
7 which she has been reared. But there
was something more" lowering her voice
| to shrill whisper. "Did you see the
, goblets9 The epergne9 could wager
my life they were yours-those that were
2 stolen from you last winter. They were
3 across the table. But I was certain
detected the crest and the J. s., your mi.
9 tials before you were married.
Mrs. Asher drew BACK Indignantly
8 "You do not mean to accuse Janet OF
f theft7''
8 ''No-o. She would not have been &C
idiotic as to put them on the table. Bnt
no doubt the girl has bought them il
D Baltimore of the thief, or pawnbroker
: I assure you the plate is yours. I'll con
l vince you of it in minute" she added
energetically, running back to the din
/ ing room door. "YOW mother wishes te
4 speak to you," she said to Hugh, as she
E passed him.
"Can have some water tor my aunt
! Miss Renshaw2 In one Of those beauti
full goblets9 Thanks"
Miss Miranda walked loftily beside
: her down tho path.
"Fine old piece Of plate? Yes, Miss
e Julia, should think sol It has been in
f the family hundred years. You observe
: the coat of arms, Mrs. Ashcr-and tho
) initials ]. 81 My brother is the third
} Job shenly.
> Mrs. Asher grew very pale as she held
> the goblet. Hugh took it from her, and
; looked at it with blank dismay in his
face.
II must go, my son. am not we'll,
, she whispered. "Let US go away from
t this place, and never return-never
l, "What is 1t, mother2"
"To think how nearly you have been
entrapped. You must give up Janet al
once-at oncev'
e "You are not surely going so soon2'
3 cried Miranda, rushing forward. ",rhere
D Is my BROTHER" as the doctor opened
the gate and came up the path.
i Mrs. Asher stopped. Something in thu
gentle, benign presence of the old man
Y suddenly Gained her. lifted her to Othc1