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

AS 10 ner Uealty. that was lnGlSputaDle. Inere
were some who held that her shoulders betrayed
too much muscular power, or the firm column of
her throat was a trifie too long; but nobody
could cavil at the brightness of her hair or the
purity of her C omplexion. Then her full, ripe
lips were tender and womanly, and she had
great eyes that were gentle and attentive when
any one spoke to her. In short, Mrs. Stevenson
had so far conquered prejudice that Mr.. Belts
would say each morning, as she came down to
breakfast:
Good m~orning-ahem! Mrs. Stevenson. The
sun-ahem!-seems hardly risen until you ap-
pear 10 which compliment she always replied
graciously, and sent Mr.. Belts away smiling and
making little bronchial muFmur of self salts
faction, after the fashion of old gentlemen when
they are fiattered by pretty women.
Any questions as to her former life Mrs. Ste
venson evaded, and she was plainly on her guard
against giving the slightest clue that Mrs. Whip
pie might follow up. MY dear, said that lady,
smiling and peering even more than usual, and
coming upon her quarry suddenly, I'VE are talk
ing of the Prince of Wales. Is he really growing
bald| You're so lately from London that you
can surely teh u.s."
81 really forget what people were saying about
the Prince when | left" answered Mrs. Steven
son; they say so much, you know"
But my love, when you saw the Prince, was
he baldl' persisted Mrs. Whipple quite folding
away her eyes in beguiling wrinkles OF good
nature, and toying lightly with the work basket:
II was-he was-oh, it's a long time since L
SNF AALh1 CGLA - GIN (" $3.50
riedly chatting with Duncan Scott.
And where did you last see him, my dearP
asked the pertinacious questioner.
"At-at-the theater, | believe. oh, anybody
may see the Prince. He goes everywhere, Mrs.
Stevenson answered, plainly anxious to be rid of
the matter.
''Ah!7 remarked Mrs. Whipple to Miss Fox,
that was a leading question. Did you observes"
She had seen the Prince at the theater.
''NNhy, what's the use of harping on her origin
any longer!" said kindly Miss Fox, she's q de-
lightful person and l really love her"
80 do l." declared Mrs. Whipple, with quite
passionate warmth. Don't, pray don't misun-
derstand me-. I've no vulgar curiosity--not the
east-but by knowing Just what her position had
been | would advise her more to the purpose IN
matters of etiquette next winter. Intend to be
quite a | mentor for the dear girl, and run about
with her all the season. Philip has already Sc
to my winters comfort. We shall be quite sis
tiers, sha'n'u we, Edith, dear?' and Mrs. Whipple
touched Mrs. Stevenson ~playfully with the tip OF
a crochet needle.
II beg your pardon!" said Edith, coldly.
I'm saying that we shall be quite sisters in
next winters campaign. l so long to hear the
divine Patti with my sweet Edith's eyes beaming
into mine. Sympathy is so much to the pleasure
of music" Then the widow sighed the sigh
~ecstatic, which was somewhat more tremolo than
the sigh devotional
Once or twice there were disagreeable little
scenes brought about by Miss Carriers senten-
tiousness.
ITO marry out of ones station is a most
dangerous blunder and one that can never be
kept secret" she calculated one day, suddenly
looking up from a page of Heine and as sud
denly abStracting herself again. Whether the
phrase was in the book nobody knew and
nobody inquired, but a general Embarrassment
fell on the whole group. Worst of all Mrs.
glance, and then colored deeply.
Upon this, Miss Fox seized one of Edith's
hands, caressed it and said emphatically:
Persons are said TO bo judged by what they
are, not by the accident of birth or station.
Then, Mr.. Belts made an asserting murmur, and
Mrs. Whipple, with a dazzling smile, exclaimed,
"Of course" Tatty Primes dclicacy not being
equal to his curiosity, he fastened mis- eyes full
on Mrs. StevensOn's face, which while Miss Fox
was caressing her hand, kept working painfully.
Even Scott managed to indulge himself in a
glance at the helpless victim. Presently Popsie
broke through the constraint, and crying. oh,
you sweet, sweet, lovely darlingl' threw herself
upon Mrs. Stevenson's neck in a transport of
affection. So the furry of opposition passed in
q triumph for the gentle and courteous beauty.
That very evening, as MIR. Belts, to breathe
the air, yet avoid a draught, sat sheltered III one
of the meaningless inches on Gibson's piazza.
Mr.. and Mrs. Stevens passed on close by him. tax
Ing the lover like walk which Philip claimed
from his wife every night. The shadow was so
deep In that ridiculous angle that they never
observed the slender. motiOnleSs figure bolt
upright against the side of the house. and they
were talking freely. Although the snatches of
conversation which reached Mr.. Belts concerned
their own private affairs, as there was no inten-
ton in his choice of a seat, he felt no moral
obligation to discover himself.
well. Philip was saying, 1T was less bother
to come here for awhile than to take u house,
when our own country place will so soon be fin
ished." Then they sauntered on, and when they
passed again Edith was speaking.
"Oh! Philip, can they suspect anything? Poor
kind Miss Fox is SO intensely American, and so
anxious to impress me with her republican prin-
ciples. Then, [ fancy, old Betty Belts eyes me
strangely at times, and that dreadful Mother
Whipple eternally tries to trap me with ques-
tons"
Mr.. Belts shrank still more into the corner,
and almost petrifed there. Betty Betts!@ He
tried to repeat the words to realize their full
horror, but his parched hips refused their office.
He made himself as small as possible, and waited
for further developments. They came soon
enough. Mr.. Stevenson had slipped an arm I'M
der the drapery which Edith wore over her head
and shoulders-a most graceful drapery it was
a gauze scarf of oriental design. curiously
wrought in silver thread and rose color. One
stray moonbeam was imprisoned in its meshes.
and, as the loving pair stopped in front of Mr..
Belts to indulge their overlooking sentiment,
they made a charming picture.
Edith, my darllng, said Philip, ours was a
true love match
The young wife. very beautiful with that
glistening film about her face, laid her head
against his shoulder, and answered:
IF we had waited for everybody's approval,
we wouldn't be SO happy at this minute, Phil,
dear"
There followed that little sound which defes
all alphabets, and lends itself to no phonetic
system; then Mr.. Stevenson, stroking his wife's
hair and laughing softly said: Ha! if the Old
Tables here knew who you really are!'
Il suppose there would be quite an uproar in
the house., said Edith, contemplatively." yet.
how absurd it is that Americans should consider
wealth and station so much"
Yes" said Philip, for half the aristocfats at
Gibsons are descended, and not so remotely,
either, from soap boilers, or patent medicine, or
petroleum. Why, there's Belts, now, with his
humbug about my grandfather That worthy
ancestor kept a small rum and tobacco booth be-
hind my grandfathers rontierfur-tradin station.