Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03
A WTFE'S FAULT.

Five pounds of grapes!" said old
Mrs. Mildmay in establishment. care
you quite sure that you understand
your mistress order, Hester? White
grapes are SO dear, and surely for so
small a dinner-party rs this
There's no mistake, ma am, =" said
Hester pertly. Servants will soon learn
the spirit of their superiors, and Hester
knew that young Mrs. Mildmay was
not particularly partial to her hus-
band step-mother. 81 took the order
myself, and it amt likely that [ should
be mistook."
Hester is quite right, said Mrs.
Rufus Mildmay, who came in at that
moment handsome brunette, in a
PM, cashmere mOrning-dress, trimmed
with bands, q la n1iLjt0jre, Of black vel
yet-rather q contrast to the neat cali
co gown which her mother-in-law was
accustomed to wear about her morning
aVocations at home. s'And l do wish,
mamma, you wouldn't interferer'
The old lady's serene brow flushed.
My dear" she demonstrated, 81 do
not wish to NEEDLE with your concerns;
but really fear that Rufus income
''Rufus's income is his own, to spend
as he pIeases, . interrupted the young
lady. And you seem to forget,
mama, that people don t live nowadays
as they did when you were q girl"
Mrs. Mildmay said nothing more. It
was not the first time, nor yet the Sec
ond, that she had been given to under
stand, by Mrs. Rufus. that her interpo-
sition in household affairs was unwel-
come.
The stepson, whom she loved with as
fond devotion as if he had been her
own child, had married beautiful girl,
and settled in the city.
So far, all was well, although Mrs.
Mildmay had secretly hoped that he
would love sweet Alice Acton. the
clergyman's daughter of Pole Hill, and
settle down on the old farm, as his
father before him had done.
Yet if Rufus was happy, she also
would rejoice, she assured herself,
even although he preferred Rosamond
Thursby to Alice Acton, and city's
hustle TO the sweet peace of the wales
and 9lens.
If Rufus was happy! Yes, there was
the question. And sometimes Mrs.
Mildmay feared that he was not, in
spite of his smiles and assumed cheer
fulness.
1t had been his fondest hope that his
mother might be one of his household
after marriage. Mrs. Mildmay had
hoped SO, too; but after this, her first
visit, she felt that the dream was in
vain.
''O1 and water will not MIX" she
said to herself with sigh. land /
belong to past generation.
And she left the store-closet, where
Rosamond and her cook were holding
counsel as to proposed dinner-party,
she went slowly and spiritlessly up to
the breakfast-room, where Rufus was
reading the morning paper before the
fire
Rufus" she said little abruptly,
Il think | had better go back to The
Hemlocks this week"
Mother" he demonstrated.
Il don't think that Rosamond wants
me here"
Rufus N1ildmay Redeemed.
Il hope, mother" he said, ''she has
not said anything to"
need my presence" said the old lady
gently. II might have known it; now
/ am certain of it. Home IS the best
place for me. But remember one
thing, dear Rufus. Do not outspend
thoughtless. You yourself are inexpe-
rienced--"
'Oh, it's all right, mother" said the
young man carelessly. ''But l did hope
that you could be happy here!'
Mrs. NIildmay shook her head.
Il shall see you sometimes, said
she. If ever you are in trouble,
Rufus-you or Rosamond, either-you
will know where to come"
So the old lady went away from the
pretty bijou of a house in Parabole-
place, with its bay windows, its Turco-
man p0rtieres, and the boxes of flowers
in all the easements.
''Rosamond," said the young hus-
band, as he studied over the list of
weekly bills a short time subsequently,
81 believe my mother was right. We
are outrunning our income
"Pshawi" said Rosamond, who was
sewing frill of point-lace on to the
neck of rose-colored satin reception
dress ''What has put that ridicule
idea into your head, Rufus?"
Facts and figures, answered Rufus.
stJust look here, Rosie"
s.But / don't want to lookr' said
Rosamond, impatiently turning her
head away, ''and I won't-so there!
OF course one can't live without mon
ey, especially if one goes into society,""
Rufus whistled under his breath.
'.But Rosamond." said he. eff man