The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-02-02
A HOUSEHOLD FAIRY.

Mrs. Araminta Dykandyke, calling on
her school-friend for the first time since
she became Mrs. Royal, surveyed her
surroundings, curiously, critically, while
awaiting the little lady's appearance.
The longer she gazed upon what she
considered an open confession of pow
crty, the loftier grew her scorn. That
ALICE Brown, with her floating hair and
wild-rose bloom, should have come to
this! She, plain as she was, poor as she
still imagined herself to be, had no
doubt drawn much higher prize in the
matrimonial lottery.
Truth to tell, there was good deal
the matter with Mrs. Araminta Dykan-
dyke, as shall shortly be proven, and
nothing at all the matter with the apart
ment around which she gazed so super
ciliously. To be sure, it was inexpen-
sively furnished, yet most people de-
clared it 'the prettiest little parlor they
ever did spy" Let me hold up the
picture as it was held before me. 1t
may give young beginners some helpful,
happy hints.
1t was papered with hardware paper
in soft, gray shades; it had two Shaker
chairs, tied with red ribbons, and some
folding carpet-chairs in moss-green tints
In the centre of the floor was n rag-car-
pet, laid down like rug. The rags
had been carefully selected, and q shop
keeper' sremnant-basket furnished q har-
lequin-fringe not in the least detracting
from its general prettiness. The cur
tains were ten-cent chintz that would
never bear washing, but as long as its
ola InA nj IN
the room few inspected the quality.
The cloth on the snail table was of crash,
eoarsely embroidered in crewels where
the seams came together and to form a
bordering. The low bookshelves were
of pine, finished with shellac and fitted
in recess, so as not to require any cab
Matchmaking. There was nest of mir
rors over the mantel, and underneath
an open CRATE, trimming with dried
grass and autumn leaves. Last, not
least, u rattan lounge tied with bright
ribbons, and a comfortable, red chintz
pillow made the room complete as to
the furnishing. There were few addi-
tional touches, evidently bridal presents,
in the way of two oil paintings, sea and
land views, brackets with tiny marble
cupids and other dainty knck-knacks on
them, bouquet-table with vase and
flowers. and finally, bunch of rainbow
eyed peacock feathers, set against the
soft, gray wall.
Mrs. Royal was not many minutes
0beying her neat little maid-servant's
summons to the parlor. And, let me
tell you, her breezy presence made the
room complete, although Mrs. Dykan-
dyke was more than ever taken aback.
That one whose honeymoon of wifehOod
was scarcely on the wane should appear
before caller in q seersucker and an
apron was absolutely on par with bar
barism. To be sure, the seersucker was
apinky pink, the apron dainty white
dot, and Mrs. Royal, with her golden
hair in a golden net, and her eyes as
bright rs purple violets grading dew
drops and sunbeams in their velvet
hearts, looked the good house-fairy that
she was. Yet, for all that, this utter
disregard of conventionalities almost
threw Mrs. Dykandyke into spasms.
I'VE have drifted apart since my mar
riage two years ago, remarked the lady
who had been Araminta Case, after
they had kissed and exchanged congrat-
ulatory greetings, ''and 1 should not
have called had not been positively
assured there were no cards. 1 am de-
lighted to see you looking SO well and
SO happy, dear; but, excuse me,
thought Mr.. Royal was in comfortable
circumstances"
''He considers himself one of the rich
est men in the world, /" replied the young
wife, the dewdrops and sunbeams dane
ing in her eyes.
"Of course. my love, possessing you
he is. You always have been treas
ure and always will be, ALICE, but"
Then, amidst profuse apologies, Mrs.
Dykandykc went on to say something
to the effect that she was afraid her
friend had thrown herself away, con-
Guiding with: 81 can't help seeing how
you live, you know" with compre-
hensivc glance around the apartment.
"In yourfathers house everything is so
different"
Away down in the depths of her ten
der heart Mrs. Royal hcavcd sigh.
Yes, everything was different in her
fathers house. Life there was q splen-
did sham, gilded bubble ready to burst
if but one creditor put so much rs a
finger upon it. She remembered well
how the thousand dollar check so con-