Smyrna times., 1883-02-07
" That Witoheth all for Good"

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 appear
ance. The longer she gazed upon
what she considered an open confess
sion of poverty, 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 a
much higher prize in the matrimonial
lottery.
Truth to tell, there was a good deal
the matter with Mrs. Araminta Dykan-
dyke, as shall shortly be proven, and
nothing at all the matter with the
apartment around which she gazed so
superciliously. To be sure, it was in
expensively furnished, yet most people
declared 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 grey 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 a
rag carpet, laid down like a rug. The
rags had been carefully selected, and
a shop-keeper's remnant-basket furn.
ished a harlequin-fringe not in the
least detracting from its general pretti
ness. The curtains were a ten cen
chintz that would never bear washing
but as long as its good, clear Indian
red gave finish to the room few in
spected the quality. The cloth on tn,
small table was of crash, coarsely EN-
broidered in crewels where the seam
came together and to form bordering
The low bookshelves were of pine
finished with shellac and fitted in
recess, so as not to require any cabine
making. There was a neat miro
over the mantel, and underneath a
open CRATE, brimming with dried graS
and Autumn leaves. Last, not least,
rattan lounge tied with bright ribbon
and comfortable, red chintz pillow
made the room complete as to til
furnishing. There were a few add
tional touches, evidently bridal pre-
ents, in the way of two oil painting
sea and land views, brackets with
tiny marble Cupid and other daint
knick-knacks on them, bouquet tab
with vase and flowers, and finally,
bunch of rainbow-eyed peacock feat
ers, set against the soft, gray wall.
- Mrs. Royal was not many minut
S. obeying her neat little maid-servan
summons to the parlor. And, let L
tell yon, her breezy presence made t
al. room complete, although Mrs. Dyka
dyke was more than ever taken abaC
,u That one whose honeymoon of wi
v" hood was scarcely on the wane shou
appear before a caller in a seersuck
and an apron was absolutely on a 7
with barbarism. To be sure, the Sc
sucker was pinky pink, the apron
dainty white dot, and Mrs. Royal, W
her golden hair in golden net, a
= her eyes ms bright as purple viol
~ grading dewdrops and sunbeams
their velvet hearts, looked the 60
house fairy that she was. Yet, for
that, this utter disregard off conventi
dnu alities almost threw Mrs. Dykand.
into spasms.
"We have drifted apart since
OrS marriage two years age" remarked
lady who had been Araminta @
IN after they had kissed and exchaA
oopgratulatoFy greetings, sand she
orse not have called had not been posit
ly assured there were no cards. l
l.n delighted to see you looking so
- and so happy, dear but, excuse m
thought Mr.. Royal was in comforts
circumstances"
. and "He considers himself one OF
esion richest men in the world" replied
D. Young wife, the dewdrops and
- beams daneing in her eyes.