The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-09-22

swell--one OF those handsome, naughty
cuardsmen | had read about in society
novels.
Miranda said Katie, don't you think l
ought 10 tell Jack about Fitzherbert"
mo, DON'T" said Miranda sharply. II
don't SEQ why the interests Of our family are
TO be rsked in q collision with the narrow
middle class prejudices Of Mr. John Smith,
Katie's voice sounded little weary when
she spoke again:
"You know, Miranda, you were Mortified
yourself when first told you about Fitz-
herbert's proposal"
Miranda replied in a tone OF cold superb
GRITTY;
~ was moro open TO conviction than you
would find Mr.. John Smith. We who have
been rooted in English soil for eight cen
turtles naturally take larger views OF life
than mushrooms OF yesterday. Besides,
your conduct in this affair is justified by the
example and approval OF women in the best
society"
What world of whited sepulchres! l
never loved Miranda, but I had always re-
spected her. However skeptical might have
been about her personal charms, had never
doubted her principles. Miranda taught
class In the Sunday school, worked district
on strict charity organization principles, and
was decorated with the Order OF the Blue
Ribbon. Yet here was this seemingly virtu-
Gus Miranda applauding her younger sisters
falseness to n true lover, because 1t was the
fashion Of women In tho best society 10
trample upon honest hearts.
81 hate concealment," said Katie; land
Jack is SO truthful himself that can't bear
the idea Of deceiving him. Oh, Miranda
dear was so happy when Fitzherbert made
me the offer that never stopped to wonder
what Jack would think about IT, but now l
am SO miserable that | sometimes think 1
must give up Fitzherbert."
Rubbish" said Miranda, "and selfish rub
bish, too. / wonder, Kate Rogers, how you
can talk in that way, when you know how
useful Fitzherbert's money is 10 your poor
father"
Oh, this was too awful Kate not only
false to me, but actually SO mean as to take
money from her new lover. could stand 1t
no longer | wrenched myself from poor
little Bob's grasp, and stood sternly facing
the two girls
Miranda fled from the room. Kate stood
white and still
"Pray do not give up Fitzherbert on my
humble account" said, scornfully. do not
let my vulgar prejudice in favor OF truth
and honesty interfere with tho wider moral
ity Of the best society. Marry Fitzherbert to-
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 actually
laughed.
"Thank you very much, Jack" she said,
"but even with your kind permission, | can't
marry Fitzherbert The fact is," and her
blue eyes danced "Fitzherbert is married"
"And you dare to tell me-" | cried in wild
rage, "that you have not only accepted love,
but money from a married man"
She looked straight into my furious face
with her laughing eyes.
"Fitzherbert is not married man, sho
said.
~ was never good at guessing riddles" |
said, loitily; "and rs am not in the mood
for them tonight, | give this one up. If
Fitzherbert is not married man what, In
heavens name, is Fitzherbert"
Clear came the answer in the sweet, gay,
girlsh voice.
"Fitzherbert is married woman"
Then, with the crushing consciousness OF
having made fool of myself, listened hum
bly, to Katie's story
"Fitzherbert is a west end miliner, and
was Aunt Clara's maid before her marriage.
Her name is not really Fitzherbert but
something quito ordinary, like Brown or
Smith-oh, | beg your pardon, Jack! She
was always fond of me, and | amused my
self looking through her new fashions. Ono
day while | was waiting for Aunt Clara,
who had gone to her dentist a fussy old lady
came into the shop, and was very angry be-
cause none of the now Paris bonnets suited
her. She was one Of the best customers, and
poor Fit2herbert was in despair when she
was leaving the shop In rage. Well, Jack,
| have quito genius for millinery. One OF
our ancestors was n painter, and Aunt Clara
says have his artistic eye for color and
form. Anyhow | always seem to know ex-
actly what suits IA face. persuaded the old
lady TO sit down again, and with Fitzher-
bort'5 permission made a few alterations in
ono particular bonnet. The result was SO
becoming that the old lady was charmed
You are heaven born milincr my DEAR
she said why don't you go in for that sort
Of thingl II is all tho fashion among tho
best people, Aunt Clara called for me
presently, anu WIS uuilc htIuth WIN tuo Hc"
idea. After u long talk with Fit2herbcrt
it was decided that | should go to the shop
every day and qualify for the position of
millinery aido-de-camp. | became quite pop
lar with the customers, especially tho elderly
ones | love old ladies and delight in making
them look lovely, and some of them threat
ened to leave FItzherbert unless | undertook
the arrangement of their bonnets and caps
for the term of my single life. Fitzherbert
offered me very liberal pay for my assist
ance, and was SO glad TO think of helping
poor old daddy that at first forgot about
you and your possible objection to marrying
young woman who worked for shop, but
/ thought of this afterward, and was always
fighting with my conscience about telling
you the truth, But, indeed there are many
lady mlliners In London, and--oh Jack,
see you don't mind so very much, after allp'
The precise nature of my conduct on his
occasion need not here be recorded
The bridal wreath was present from
Fitzherbert Household Words,
How Cables Arc Made.