The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-25

Everybody that is anybody knows Tattleton."
The brides large, gray eyes had been opening
wider and wider as Popsie ratified on, and at the
end of her fusillade of phrases there came a cold
little answer:
Excuse me. 7 shall stay at home this after
noon"
But her husband, looking quite amused and
delighted, said: IF you won't go with Popsie,
my dear, we can ask Mrs. Whipple to our sit
ting room. She will be most improving com
pany."
Eyes" Popsie fastened to second him, Mrs.
Whipple can tell you ever so much that will
make you au fait of things next winter. But do"
she added coaxingly, "do let me take you under
my wing"
Mrs. Stevenson bit her lip, looked appealingly
at her husband, who nodded pleasantly in return,
then she mastered some emotion and finally
consented.
Very we'll. Take me under your wing"
Whereupon, Philip laughed and sauntered
p proceeS Ha' to b b1siness af0R !Eow' '"s she I beg gan'F "y you
won't hang back or be overcome, will you?
There's a dear! just take everybody in a jolly
way as | do. Don't show any shyness, any en-
! barrassment, and the battles half won. Frank
~, you haven't been much used to society, have
you! Now, don't have any reserve with me; for
do like you so much; indeed, L do"
Mrs. Stevenson, for an instant, showed a
title blaze of anger; then she accepted the
, cordial grip that Popsie gave her hand under the
table, and replied with shyness and hesitation:
mo, truly, Tve-Ive-never been used to
anything like-like-New York society"
'Of course not" exclaimed Popsie delighted,
"but that's nothing. Why, Petrolia Squirt came
from the wilds of Pennsylvania, and IN one sea
son picked up our ways nicely, and had lots of
of chic. And there's Mrs. C~lifford-she came
right from the stage, and now she's ever so styl-
ish and a capital hostess. By the way, you
came from" and Popsie held her breath inter-
rogatively: -
quietly.
ooh r>1 n-o II. haon hu vp1r cnQaoh that
you're English, but-but aren't you lately from
Paris?"
mo" said Mrs Stevenson looking confused.
But you've been in Paris?' asked Popsie
eagerly, surely you've been in PARISH
Very often"
Popsie seemed somewhat satisfied, then said;
BLACK Bess is very wild. Are you afraid"
I'm not afraid of any horse" was the answer,
and it sent Popsie away in a tiutter of delight to
say to Tattleton Prime: 'She's very lady-like,
but there's certainly something in her antece-
dents that she wants to hide. She was dread
fully overcome, poor thing, when proposed to
take her up, Now, Tattleton, I've invited her
to ride Black Bess. Observe her we'll and see If
you can't place her exactly
Meanwhile Mr.. Belts had buttonholed Philip
Stevenson. "Ahem!" said he. "Barnwell-Barn-
well. l know people of that name in Boston.
Did you happen to marry into somo English
branch of the family, Ell"
NO" answered Philip shortly. II didn't
mo" drawled Duncan Scott, who was a lazy,
long-limbed, heavy swell, with a blonde mus
tache and sleepy blue eyes, 'no| Then perhaps
Mrs. Stevenson is some relation to the Con
pecticut BarnwelIs."
mo, she isn't" replied Philip, as he lighted a
cigar.
vewy good hotel in London. He has several
pwetty daughters
Never heard of him." said Stevenson. and
turned on his heel.
But he-aw-didn't offer to explain who Miss
| I9;+h Dooo-o1 uoc - Soot+ ,apoarlaA m Mr.
Belts. 'Well-aw-there are fascinating women
in the London shops, and the Bwitish BARNARD
is a charming creature. and some governesses
are"
''Nonsense!" said Popsie, appearing in her
riding dress, "my Mrs. Stevenson was no mere
drudge. l won't have it so. She shall have
trod the boards or kissed her hand from a trapeZe,
or presided i at some wild revel like one of OuidaS
heroines. Look at her in her habit, there,
standing by Black Bess. Did you ever see any
ordinary woman with that poise of head, or those
shouldersW
''Aw-well," returned Scott, "you cawn't be
certain in judging women by their points.
They're such deucedly favored creatures by ma
ture, and then so adaptable, too. Now, there's
Mrs. Stevenson's maid; look at her" Margaret,
a pretty, we'll formed girl was just
bringing her mistress a handkerchief, and
passed close by. THAT girl has a good fgure-as
good as her mistress's, by Jove. Her skin is fair,
her hair bright and abundant. Let her chance
to bewilder some old fogy or some well-in-
t%entioned young chap who has lots of money,
and, to prevent such a maid servant
from becoming a society leader and the toast of
the town."
Margaret" said Mrs. Stevenson in her clear
voice, you've forgotten my whip. Bring it,"
us it the wan wild the goOld handle!" asked the
handsome creature in Il soft brogue.
'Ha! ha!' laughed Popsie as the peasant stood
betrayed; there's the coLfutation of your
theory. Mrs. Stevenson speaks charmingly.
OF course riders, and dancers, and singers and
cprh panDlnh aua = ha ROT I'M and clpCarf
You've no doubt, aw, penetwated Bohemia
to its heart, young lady answered Scott, eX-
changing amused glances with Prime; but as to
refinement and cleyerness, draw your line at the
sawdust."
ooh, we'll; pshaw! won't be exacting. Let
Mrs. Stevenson have been an opera singer then,
but a governess-never. She must have a his
tory-a splendid, wild history; she must be
talked about, wondered about, scandallZed and
defended. Why, we shall go everywhere
together next winter. My blue eyes and black
hair will set off her dreamy gray eyes and blonde
ness, and | shall make an immense success of
her. Goodness" she screamed. Look at Bess."
The horse was executing & savage. plungine
war dance, but Mrs. Stevenson used the spur.
keeping her seat admirably, while the brute
reared and kicked. and presently Bess subdued
her %nostril, lifted her slender legs to the slight
touch of the riders whip and owned herself mas
tered.
''Acte de manege, by Jove..' exclaimed Tattv
Prime, and Popsie, with a triumphant gesture
and Il told you 80" hurried away to mount her
her own horse.
Then Mr. Belts and Mrs. Whipple proceeded
to exchange very sensible views on the subject
Of mesalliance.
ALI" began Mr.. Belts, "a low marriage is a
great mistake. Birth and breeding az my
grandfather used to say, birth and breeding
can't be counterfeited.'
Undoubtedly" said Mrs. Whipple, 'this
poor woman must keep herself we'll in hand to
avoid committing solecisms. Why, although to
spare her embarrassment, | waved ceremony and
took her up as kindly as if she had been properly
accounted for, she colored, bit her lip and was
very i'll at ease"
':Ah!' and Mr.. Belts pointed the words with an
action of the middle finger as if he were spearing
some invisible prey. "Ah! if there were to be
dreaded nothing worse than mere solecisms; no