Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-01-26
Towards Choice.

tUu. 1Hc1 UclUuScu W Lildt CLASS So
numerous and respected in that city
of magnificent distances, denomina-
ted poor and proud.
The daughters, Isabel and Louise,
were both beautiful. Isabel was a
brunette, with black, flashing eyes,
and naughty as princess. Louise
was blonde, tall and graceful, with
face that was almost faultless.
Both looked forward to marriage
as relief from the many inconven
iencies that poverty is subject to.
Isabel had already attracted the
regard of a United States Senator, a
widower, and very handsome, who,
at the time my story opens, was on
the way to the capital city.
/ will introduce my readers into
the small family of Mr.. Henry
Rodman, who. though once wealthy
has been reduced it is rumored, by
the heartless extravaganza of his
wife and daughters.
A bright anthracite fire is burning
in the CRATE, and near it faded
woman sits, half buried in the Grim
son cushion of an easy chair. She is
reading a novel, an absorbing and
affecting one,if we may judge by the
pale streaks that are visible through
her rogue. In one hand she holds
a small screen to shield her face
from the intense heat, being too lazy
to change her position. Her daugh-
tiers, negligently dressed, are seated,
one at each window, their beautiful
faces distorted with frowns, and
complaining spitefully of the storm
without.
81 wish Ella Howard would come
here; she is only dressmaker, and
used to muddy streets; its is absurd
that she will not go out to work"
ooh, DEAR" sighed Louise, ''if pa
pa had only kept our carriage, selfish
man !! am sure he might, if he had
pleased. it is not fit to walk out, yet
our dresses must be fitted and our
trimmings bought. How are we to
manage Y''
"Take an omnibus" pipes voice
from the crimson cushions, and is
still again.
can omnibus ?" cried the daugh-
tiers in one voice, with curling lips.
"Of all things, ina that you should
propose public omnibus, when we
wish to ride out-you who deprived
yourself of the pleasure of attending
Mrs. Chester's reception last week
because you had no carriage" add
ed Isabel, in a no way respectful
tone.
"But you can stop at the Capitol
gate, and then l am sure you will
not meet anybody that is of impor-
lance at this hour" returned Mrs.
ROdman.
"Oh, well, / suppose we will have
to; 1 see no other way; how provok
ing it is to be poor! Come, Lou,
Howard Stanley is coming, so we
will condescend to ride in an omni-
bus when we go shopping for the
present; when l am Mrs. Senator
Stanley 1 will have the finest equip.
age in Washington.
Isabel was almost confident that
her beauty would fascinate Howard
Stanley; true he had not seen her for
several years, hut during that time
he had kept up a correspondence
with her father, always referring po-
litely to herself. The sisters set out
and after an extensive shopping tour
they again deigned to enter the de-
spised omnibus. A handsome, frank
looking man, very tall, and with the
airof one who feels himself far ahead
of the ordinary race of men in the
march of intellect had just taken
the seat opposite them, and Isabel
crimsoned at his eager glance of ad-
miration. She remembered him,
though evidently she had grown out
of his knowledge It was Howard
Stanley.
Again the omnibus stopped, and a
pale, sweet featured girl stepped
gracefully in. Her dress, poor but
genteel, was of the deepest mourn
ing; her face was one of those which
once seen can never be forgotten.
She recognized the two young la
dies,and with sweet smile address
ed a few words in a low tone to Isa-