Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-08-17
STANTON, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY, AUGUST II, 1885,

Eyes" said Mrs. Abel, tartly. paying
lin gloye-factOry, you know, or fancy
store, or even as nursery governess or
, attendant to some elderly invalid. For Of
course, you know with another Of those
oblique looks that made Plume feel so un-
comfortable, ''you expect to work fer your
living. We are not rich enough to sup
port all our relations, Abel's salary was
reduce last year and no one knows how
strictly I have to economic in orderetO
make both ends meet. And a strong
young woman like you ought not to sit
down on a sickly man with family, like
my husband. because"
''Stop-o oh. stop!' said Plume, lifting
up her hands, as if to ward off some IN
visible terror. "He said I was welcome.
de told me-"
''rhat's just like Abel!" said Mrs.
Percy, scornfully. "'He'd take all crea-
tion If he could. He never stops to think
| whether he can afford it or not.''
81 am sorry,that I intrude, said Plume.
with dignity. sit shall not be for long.
| will look at the newspaper at once.
Eyes. that's deal the best plan,"
assented Mrs. Percy, ungraciously. ''Of
course you won't mention our little chat
to Abel. He might be vexed and, after
all, I'm only speaking for your good.
Plume looked at her with an expression
of face which somehow made Mrs. Abel
Piercy feel as if she were shrinking up like
withered walnut in its SHE'LL
Yes, know" said she. "But you
need not be afraid; I'm no tale bearer, to
make mischief in any ones family
Mrs. Piercy felt very uncomfortable az
ter this little conversation was ended.
How she did look at ~ thought
she. "But only spoke the truth, after
all. We can't be burdened with her sup
port, let Abel talk as he pleases. And no
matter what she says, l believe she has
been an actress! No one but an actress
could ever put on such royal ways as that!"
Half an hour afterward, when the bell
rang, and some one inquired for Mrs. o.
valid Percy. Mrs. Abel nodded her head
to the cake she was taking out of the
oven.
Company already" said she; land gen.
tleman company, as live! Well, if this
is the way she intends to 60 on, the soon-
er she suits herself with a situation the
better ~
Mrs. Percy had been secretly anxious
for an opportunity of quarrelling with her
sister-in law. Here it was at last; and
when the old gentleman with the glossy
broadclotA suit was gone. she bounced in
to the parlor with red spot on either
cheek-bone like signals of war.
80 you have been receiving company,
Mrs Oswald?' said she.
EYES," Plume innocently answered.
"Gentleman company, tool" cried Mrs.
Percy.
"It was Mr.. Van Orden. my husbands
lawyer explained Plume.
"Oh, 1 dare sayl' said Mrs. Piercy.
''All that sounds very well; but L have the
character of my house to look to, and"
s'He is coming back with carriage -
hurriedly spoke Plume. II am to 60 to
his wife's house at once. Mrs. Van Orden
is willing to give me the shelter which my
own relatives begrudge me ~
II wish her joy of her bargain; I am
sure.'' said Mrs. Abel Percy, with toss
of the mountain of false hair that crowned
her head.
E! And so the two women parted in no
spirit of amity.
II dare say she'll 20 straight to the
store" thought Mrs. Abel, "and invent d
pltiful story for my husbands benefit.
And Abel will make great fuss-Abel
was always soft about his relatives-but ]
shan't mind it. always have been mis-.
tress in my own house, and I always in
tend to be, Oswald's widow or no Os.
wald's widow.
Nevertheless, she could not help feeling
little apprehensive when her husband
came to tea. For when Abel really was
angry, his anger siznified something. But
to her surprise he entered all smiles, and
rubbing his palms, gleefully.
$50 Pluma has gomez" said he.
Yes" said Mrs. Percy, pretending tc
be busy with a knot in the second child's
shoe. ''She has gone. But how did you
know it?"
ivan Orden stopped at the store to tel
me,'' answered Mr.. Percy. "Slrange
want it2 And quite romantic too"
What on earth IS the man talking
about?" said Mrs. Piercy, aroused at last
into something like active interest.
why. didn't Plume tell you? 1t seems
that those last investments that poor Os.
valid fancied he had beggared himself
with, have turned up trump cards after
after all Aud Van Urden tells me that
Oswald's widow is worth one nund red ano
fifty thousand dollars,
Mrs. Abel Percy turned first green
then crimson. Alas for the fatal blundel
she had committed! Alas for the ruined
chances of her three little girls to inherit
their aunt's money! She made some trivial
excuse about a forgotten pocket handker
chief, and went up stairs to weep the bit
terest tears she had ever shed.
1t was lesson to her, but it was an ex
pensive one. For Plume Piercy, although
she always remained on the most excellent
terms with her kind little brother-ln-law
never crossed Mrs. Abels threshold again
She had been too deeply stung-too bit
terly lnsulted there.
And it's all my own fault" sadly re
Elected Mrs. Abel. sob, dear, oh, dear
why can't we see little way lato thu
future"
Origingof Popular Phrases.