The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-11-11


of several heiresses thus drawn within
her net. The ladies gossiped about
Paris fashions, the summer at Newport,
spicy item of SANDER imported from
London society.
| At this juncture servant opened the
door with Hurried manner, and a stout
gentleman, with bronzed complexion
and gray beard, appeared on the
threshold behind her.
Hettyr' he cried, joyously, and adj
vanced with Outstretched hands.
A wave of color mounted to his FORE
head, moisture dimmed his eyes, his
lips trembled with powerful emotion.
I" Mark! Have you come at last?'
exclaimed Mrs. Erskine, rising from her
seat at the head of the table.
"Yes, yes. I feared to wait longer. :"
Mr.. Hunter paused in embarrassment,
aware of the group of ladies in silk,
satin and flashing jewels, the table
freighted with crystal, silver and fruit,
the fine room with jardinieres in the
windows.
"Dear friends, this is my brother,
from China" explained Mrs. Erskine,
smoothly. You will pardon me if I
leave you for a moment"
is this your home?' inquired the
new arrival, bewildered.
| Yes" replied Mrs. Erskine, and
swept him away.
| The ladies, left alone. looked at each
other in silence, and nibbled bonbons.
The day proved one of excitement to
Mr.. Mark Hunter. Mrs. Erskine gave
him no leisure to think. in the whirl of
her usual routine. He had travelled
from Boston to New York to greet his
only surviving sister, the Hetty of the
old home thirty years ago. His visit
was a long cherished surprise. Hetty
received him cordially, even with a
tremor of agitation; but after the
luncheon guests had departed, like a
| flock of startled birds, she put on her
bonnet and drove with him in her coupe
to the charity bazaar, where the girls
| were serving as Jealous shop-women.
" You keep carriage?' he inquired,
| en- route.
go dear no; I am too poor,'' she re-
piled, plaintively. 81 hire this little
coupe by the month during the season.
1t is far cheaper in the end, You know"
Mr.. Hunter slightly compressed his
lips. The burden of sister Hetty's pow
erty had weighed on him for the past
twenty years.
A vast building, hung with flags, was
gained, and strains of music reached
the ears as they entered the lofty hall.
cit is like fete," said Mr.. Hunter.
The bazar sales were at their height;
a murmur of voices rose above the Or
chestra; the crowd surged from the en-
trance to the most remote corner, along
avenues adorned with ribbons, embroid-
cries and rainbow of worsted work.
A tall young lady with black hair, sal
low complexion and slim waist was
urging crystal fagons of essence on a
short and stout young gentleman,
in temple devoted to perfumery.
Mrs. Erskine touched her brothers
arm, and said: THAT is my Helena.
She is such an eXquisites figure! Young
Scroggs has just proposed. All the
girls in our set would give their eyes to
be in her place. His father is Mr..
Scroggs the banker. 1t is a great
chance, to be sure, but she will require
a very expensive trousseau to hold up
her head with his family
In the temple of Flora an arch maid
en- in blue faille, with Louis Quatorze
of white satin, was selling bouquets to a
group of admirers, kissing the flowers
coquettishly before delivering them to
the fortunate recipient.
''That is Mabel, our beauty" pur-
sued Mrs. Erskine. mabel always
draws crowd at fair. The bellies of
the London season vend bouquets in that
way, you know. 1t does seem little
fast, but they say the Princess of Wales
kisses rose-buds, and they sell for ever
so many guineas afterward.''
A young girl in white, her hair tied
with red ribbon, darted up to them.
mamma, I've sold all the shares of a
grand piano. 1t is such splendid fun to
beg of every gentleman you meet!" she
cried.
eyes. This is Theo, our baby" said
Mrs. Erskine.
"Where is Charley?" demanded Mr..
Hunter.
Charley is to be found at the club at
five o'clock
"Ah, he is club man, then?''
''Of course. He is reading law, and
very anxious to get on, dear fellow"
said the atfectiOnate mother.
Later, when dinner was over and the
young people had been presented, in
GLIDING Charley-a very correct and
somewhat neutral-tinted young man
Mark Hunter found himself seated be-
side his sister, holding her hand. All,
at last! The moment had come for
precious mutual confidence, and he
could pour forth the history of his life
to such tender and sympathetic listen
er as an only sister. A close intercourse
had been maintained between them all
these years by means of letters.
$50 have returned home," he said,
gayly. '.Not at all rich, my dear, yet
with enough to keep me from becoming
a burden to my friends. Providence
did not destine me for a nabob, sup
pose. Your girls are the Three Graces,
no doubt, but they cannot hold a can
die to their mother at eighteen
Mrs. Erskine wept and laush he'd at
these "reminiscences. The hour of
mutual condolences was congenial to
her as we'll. Left widow. with the
town house and an assured income, she
h,I Jono how boot for tho ob;lIrop