Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-13


hit back if she was a man, but she amt,
you know, and Of course no fellow who
| IS gentle man ever hits woman"
Robert" l murmured, "you are the
soul of chivalry.',
"Oh, shut up, Jack Smith, and my
small Observation-Disclosures held me with
des perate grip. "She's coming in"
peered cautiously between the heavy
curtains, and coHght glimpse of Miriam
| da's lank form and lynx eyes. The next
moment she was vanishing, but she stop
| ped as Katie appeared at the door.
Kate" she said, in her thin sharp
voice, II was looking for you. L think
you might help me to pot the jam.
Smith may not be here tonight, and if he
comes let him wait How pale you look!
Loan tell you, my dear, that your appear
ance has not improved since you took up
with Fifzherbert."
stood with freezing blood behind the
curtains, wondering what awful revelati n
was about tc wreck my life's happiness.
In lightning fash of jealous imagina-
zion | saw Fitzberbert. No doubt he
was one of the swells Katie had met in
London. military swell, one Of those
handsome naughty guardsmen, I had
| read about In society novels.
Miranda" said Kate, don't you think
ought to tell Jack about Fitzherbert?'
"No, don't" said Miranda, sharply.
| 81 don't see Why the interests of our
family are to be risked in collision with
the narrow middle-class prejudices Of
Mr.. John Smith"
Katie's voice sounded a little weary
when she spoke again.
"You know, Miranda, you we're horri-
fed yourself when 1 told you about Fitz-
herbert's proposal"
Periority:
81 was more open to conviction than
you would find Mr.. John Smith. We who
have been rooted in English soil for Ell : ht
centuries naturally take larger views of
life than mushrooms of yesterday. Be
sides, your conduct in this affair is justi-
fed by the example and approval of
women il the best society,""
What world of whlted sepulchers! l
had never loved Miranda, but had Away
respected her. However skeptical |
might have been about her personal
charms, had never doubted her princi-
Piles. Miranda taught class in the Sun
day-school, worked a district on strict
charity, organization principles,sapd was
bon. Yet here was this seemingly virtu-
Gus Miranda applaudiug her younger
sisters falseness To true lover, because
it was the fashion OF women in the best
society co trample on honest hearts.
81 hate concealment," said Katie; and
Jack is so truthful himself, that l can't
bear the idea of deceiving him. Oh, Mi.
randa, dear, l Twas SO happy when Fiz-
| herbert made me the offer that / never
stopped to wonder what Jack could think
about it, but now | am so miserable that
l sometimes think 1 must give up Fitz
herbert"
"Rubbish!" said Miranda, sand selfish
rubbish, too. L wonder, Kate Rogers, how
you can talk in that way, when you know
how useful Fitzherbert's money is to your
poor father"
| Oh, this was too awful! Katie not only
false TO me, but actually so mean as to
| take money from her new lover. | could
stand it no longer. I wrenched myself
from poor little Bob's grasp, and stood
sternly facing the two girls.
Miranda fed from the room. Katie
stood white and still.
"Pray, do not give up F;tzherbert on
my humble account" 1 said, scornfully y.
Do not let my vulgar prejudice in favor
of truth and honesty interfere with the
wider morality of the best society. Marry
| Fitzherbert morrow, if you like. and be
as happy as you deserve to be-"
| The color rushed back into Katie's face.
The light sparkled in her eyes. She ac-
tually laughed.
"Thank you very much, jack" she
said, "bnt even with your kind permits
sion I can't marry Fitzherbert. The fact
is" and her blue eyes danced. ''Fitzher-
bert is married"
! "And you dare to tell me,' cried in
wild rage" that you have not only ac-
cepted love but money from a married
man."
She looked straight into my furious
face with her Iaug hing eyes.
"Fitzherbert is not married man." she
said.
81 was never good at guessing riddles"
/ said, loftily; land as 1 am not in the
mood for them tonight, 1 give this one
up. If Fitzherbert is married, and if
Fitzherbert is not married man, what in
Heavens name, is Fitzherbert?"
Clear came the answer in the sweet,
gay, girlish voice:
"Fitzheroert is a married woman"
Then, with the crushing consciousness
of having made a fool of myself. l lis
ed humbly to Katie's little stroy.
"Fitzherbert is a Fest E I'D miliner, and
was Aunt Clara's maid before her mar
rage. Her lame is not really Fitzher-
bert, but something quite ordinary, like
Brown or Smith-oh, beg your pardon,
Jack! She was always fond of me and 1
often amused myself looking through her
new fashions. One day, while was wait
ing for Aunt Clara, who had gone to her
dentist, fussy old lady came into the
shop, aud WAS very angry because none
of the new Paris bopnets suited her. She
was ore of the best customers, and Fitz
herbert was in despair when she wae
leaving thu shop Ia rage. Well, Jack,
have quite genius for millinery. One
of our ancestors was a painter, and Aunt
| Clara says have an artistic eye for color
and form. Anyhow always seem To know
exactly what suits face. / persuaded
the old lady to sit down again, and with
Fitzherbert's permission, made a few
alterations In one particular bonnet. The
result was so becoming that the old lady
was charmed. You ere heaven born
milllner, my dear she said Why don't
you go liz for that sort of things 1t is all
the fashion among the best people,
Aunt Clara called for me presently, aud
was quite strdck with the new idea. After
long talk with Fritzaerbert, it was de-
cided that should go to the shop every
day, and qualify for the position of mil
liDary aide I became quite
popular with the customers, especially
with the elderly ones. l love old ladies,
| and delight in making them look lovely,