Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1880-05-26
PRACTICAL-OR UTOPIAN7
BY MARION HARLAND.
Published by permission.l
PART II.
(Coatinued from last ,ceek. }

(Coatinued from last geek
"But it is suicidal.7 actually sob.
bed the well.wishers of the recalci.
trant trio. "They tciU nerer marry
,ceU nor!"
"Tuesday the 18th inst" arrived
sharp but clear November wealth.
er, and the desecrated Hitler man.
sion wore its most cheerful aspect.
In the back parlor the decks had
been cleared for action, as Im0gen
phrased it, by removing the piano,
large sofa, and an inlaid stand or
two. lmogen's sewing machine and
chair were by the side window.
Before the embayed recess at the
end Of the room was long, rather
narrow table of singular construc-
ton, the plan being her own. The
top was covered with cnameled
leather, with morocco pouches at
each corner, rather larger than the
pockets of billiard.table, and
deep drawers underneath. a tape.
measure and case of scissors lay
upon this. The pictures on the
walls; the carpets; the rich hang
Jugs of the windows; the lounging.
chairs set invitingly about, the
easel, with its collection of fine
engravings in one corner, q chifo.
nier loaded with attractive articles
of virtu, and few fresh, attract.
i've books-even the stand of flow.
ers in the bay.window we're the
same that had so often challenged
the admiration of Mrs. Killers
guests, as giving her parlors "such
an air of home like elegance"
In Blanche's realm there had
been more and material alterations.
LII the inches OH each side of the
mantel were tall, shallow cases,
with sliding glass doors. These
were made of black walnut, and
bright silver.plated knobs and pegs
set in the back. Beneath the doors
were drawers with handles of the
same metal. An attractive array
of bonnets and hats hung in one
case; of caps, aud headdresses and
wreaths. bouquets, sprays Of flow.
ers in the other, these last appar.
emily springing from a box filled
with moss set in the bottom. OPP.
p0site the mock conservatory was
showcase, being walnut table
handsomely carved, with u glass
box on top containing ribbons ar.
ranged with nice regard to har.
mony and contrasts of colors and
shades. This also had drawers he.
meath with silver knobs. At one
OF the front windows stood
Blanche's chair and wicker. work
stand. Hanging baskets of living
flowers swung between the curtains;
a mockiug birds cage in the arch
dividing the rooms.
Emma was walking slowly up
and down the length of the two
apartments, ready to retire, at the
approach of customers, to her desk
in the fitting.room. Her sisters
had insisted upon her right to Sc.
clude herself from general observa.
ton.
ave don't mind being made a
show of! In fact, we rather like
it!' the irrepressible Blanche was
saying. "But they sha'n't come to
stare at, and whisper about you,
Queenie!n
Her eyes sparkled; her cheeks
were red as the French pOppies in
the glass case near by. Every
crimp in her blonde hair seemed to
stir in the breeze of excitement
that swept and swayed her merry
spirit. She fitted about from limo.
gems dominion to her own, alter
ing, admiring, exclaiming. like q
restless humming. bird.
81 am sorry for you, too she ran
on, "for l anticipate great fun dur
ing the next few weeks. All the
calls today that are not prompted
by curiosity, more or less ill.natur-
ed, will be Of coincidence. Don't l
know how our dear friends will pull
out eye glass aud handkerchief In
the same tug. 'You poor, dear
girlsp Mrs. Smith will sniff. No
matter what happens to You,