Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-08-17
AN EXPENSIVE LESSON.

Mrs. Plercy was not IN good mum or
that day, as she sat at the breakfast-table
pouring out coffee for her husband. and
dispensing bread and butter 20 the three
plump little Piercys. She was handsome
overdressed woman, with good deal of
false hair, frzzed and pulled aad braided
on the top Of her head, and complex
ion that bore remote witness to the con-
slant use of cosmetics. And Mr.. Piercy
at his end of the table. was evidently i'll
at ease, as he broke his eggs and nibbled
diligently at his roll.
'.But what was to do, my dear ?" said
he, after a brief silence which was by no
means peaceful.
"Do ?" shrilly retorted Mrs. Percy.
why. what do other people do Are we
to keep home for the INDECENT poor ? Or
a refuge for the widowed aud fatherless."
my dear, my dear" pleaded Mr.. Percy,
who was small man, with thin hair and
spectacles, "you may be widow yourself,
some day."
And if am. shall not go begging
among my relatives, that you may depend
on" said Mrs. Percy. ''And, after all,
she isn't any relative of yours-only your
brothers. wife I'D like to know what
earthly claim she has upon YOU l declare
the more 1 think of it the more l am
amazed at the woman's presumption. Her
very name is an aggravation too. Plume
Percy indeed. I'll wager my new lace
pin that she was second-rate actress
when she married your brother. No, Mr..
Piercy, if you think that -
Bnt here the torrent of the lady's elo-
quence was cut short by the unexpected
appearance on the scene of the very sub
ject of her objurgation-a tall pretty wo-
man of about four and twenty. whose
wavy golden tresses and dellcately fair
complexion contrasted wildly with the
deep mourning weeds she wore.
IA veil down to her feet" mentally
calculated Mrs. Abel Percy. ''And a six
inch bias band of the very best CORTLAND
Grape on her gown. I wonder who's ex-
pected to pay for all this 7"
Abel Piercy, the kindest-hearted of lit
tie men, welcomed his brothers. widow
with genuine hospitality but Matilda. his
wife, looked askance at her, with no friend
ly smile upon her countenance.
"Of course you will consider this your
home," said Mr.. Percy, as he made haste
to draw a chair close to the fire.
until you are able to suit yourself some
where else," erisply added his wife.
The widow said little she only looked.
with large, wlstful eyes. from one to the
other, as she sat there, the morning sun
shine turning her fair locks to braided
masses of gold. and the psarly delicacY of
her skin arousing the liveliest envy in
Mrs. Abel's heart.
Though, of course, its only some French
balm. or Circassian cream or some other,
that haven't heard off," said she to her.
self.
But, after Mr.. Percy had buttoned
on his overcoat and gloves, he came back
to the breakfast-room while his wife was
putting up the children's school-lunches
in the pantry.
81 am not much of a talker Plume, 'said
he, in an odd, hesitating way, but you
are welcome my dear-very welcome
And hope you will try to feel at home.
DON'T mind Matilda-just at first. She's
little peculiar, Matilda is, but do as
sure you She"
"Mr. Percy IL uttered sharp. WARNING
voice, at this instant, from the threshold,
lis it possible that you haven't started yet ?
Aud you know how particular Bulge and
BodIey are, as to your getting to the store
at nine precisely"
Mr.. Piercy turned pink all over.
Eyes, my dear-yes." said he, II tn quite
sure to be in time -
And off he started on gentle-trot.
When he was gone, Plume took off her
bonnet and veil, removed her mantle and
gloves, and went into the kitchen.
Cannot 1 do something to help you
sister Matilda j. said she pleadingly.
Mrs. Abel Percy looked, with cold blue
eyes and lips primly compressed, at the
fair face. which was younger and fresher
than ever without the jet-black circlet OF
the bonnet, and the slight, graceful figure
before her.
mo. thank you," said she. s'1'm not
used to having fine ladies in my Kitchen
"But if you will lend me an apron"
mo, thank you, Mrs. Oswald Piercyl'
repeated the house wife. "You will hnd
the newspapers in the hall. Perhaps the
advertising columns may interest you.
"We are sisters" said the young widow
with quivering lips. Twill you not cal
me Plume ?''
sOh, no, we're no relations at all, ir
reality" said Mrs. Abel PiercY, weighing
out oupces of sugar and pounds of flou
with an unerring hand. "Perhaps howsv
err" with keen. sidelong glance, ''yol
have been on the stage ?"
"No,'' said Plume. 81 was teacher