The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-15
ONLY A COMPANION.

'It seems to me l don't look as well as
usual tonight" said Mrs. Major Dart
burg.
She shook her jet-black curls in SER
pentine cataract about her face as she
spoke, and critically surveyed herself in
the glass.
Mrs. Major Dartburg had been young
er, and she had been prettier, but she
was surprisingly well gotten-up for all
that. By gaslight you could scarcely
have told that she was day over thirty
years of age. And, as she invarfbly took
the precaution to be accompanied into
''society" by her companion, Miss Orms-
by, whose special duty it was to observe
and correct all mistakes of costume, COM
plexion and curls before other eyes could
possibly take note of them, Mrs. Dart
burg felt tolerably safe.
Mrs. Dartburg was a widow in search
of rich husband. The deceased major
had been inconsiderate enough to die
and leave her without an income which
was decidedly Incompatible with her
wants-and the only thing left for her
was to marry some enc who could supply
the awkward deficiency.
SO Kate Ormsby was taken every year
to some gay watering place or brilliantly
thronged springs.
Kate was very unlike her patroncss, as
she sat there pale and quiet in her blue
dress. Her face was oval, with limpid,
hazel eyes; features pure and straight,
and masses of raven black hair coiled in
heavy braids at the back of her head.
"Insipid loo..ing" Mrs. Major Dartburg
declared. Kate cared very little for the
verdict, as long as her salary" as Mrs.
Dartburg preferred to phrase 1t, sufficed
for the support of her two little orphan
brothers.
NO." said Mrs. Dartburg, querulous-
", 81 don't look as well as usual, and if
Mr.. Truxton is to be there, l want to
look better. Mr.. Truxton has estates in
the West Indies, owns yacht and drives
a fourin-hand. l tell you what, Kate,
you must put on little more rouge on
the left cheek! And, Kate--if you
would only leave off wearing those dow
dy black dresses! really am beginning
to be ashamed of you when we go into
the ballroom. Do get something new
and stylish-a black iron -grenadine, or
China Grape"
81 have others to provide for besides
myself" said Kate, quietly. 81 cannot
afford the new decorations of which you
speak, Mrs. Dartburg."
'But Pm not aware that am called
upon to support all the beggars and or.
phans in creation !" said the widow,
sharply. 'Herc--put this spray of pur
pie pansies in your hair-they are quite
mourning enough, Pm sure"
Mrs. Dartburg's scarlet-lipped smilt
was unwontcdly sweet that night, as she
courtcsied low TO Mr.. Truxton, the rich
widower.
"Hc's handsome" thought the hus-
band huntress. 'Dear me, he can't bt
over forty, and as straight as an arrow!'
And she chatted away in her most fas-
cinatjng manner as she walked through
the rooms, leaning on Mr.. Truxton's arm
"a very agreeable woman" thought
the millionaire, ''though not as young a
she has been! Knows everybody, anc
seems exceedingly amiablc. If l shoulc
marry again-and, really, little Ton
needs woman's care when he is at HON,
for the holidays--it certainly is wortl
thinking about"
These were the disjointed meditation
that passed through Mr. Truxton's mint
as he politely listened to the widows
ehit-chat, and asked questions about th'
various occupants of the crowded room
"Who is that tall girl by the window. (.
+, he asked, with the black eyes and tn
pretty hairs"
''How strange that you should motto,
herl Why, she is my companion, Kat,
Ormsby, sort of poor relation, whom
keep with me out of pure charity"
every kind of you, am sure" sait
Mr.. Truxton, and he thought again tina
with such an amiable parsonage as thi
his motherless little boy would hardly
fail to be happy.
'It's trial at times" went on Mrs
Dartburg, who was determined to neu
tralize the admiration which beamed il
Mr.. Truxton's eyes, as he glanced bacl
over his shoulder toward Kate's queenI,
form, ''for her temper is exceedingly un
certain
Mr. Truxton felt himself more am
more attracted toward this angelic crea
ture, and he too'l the first opportunity t
ask: "Whether she was fond of childrenl
81 adore them, y said the widow, clasp
ing her hands.
II am glad of that, y said Mr.. Truxton
Il have a little boy Of my own"
How transparent is man! Is it an
wonder that Mrs. Dartburg felt, as sh