The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-08-09

lIldu.
"Scoldp repeated Bob, with scorn
in his subdued tones. "Do you think
I'd care if it was only that?"
understood the full peril of the
situation now. Miranda prided her
self on doing II mothers duty to the
motherless boys, and l knew that
whatever her hand found to do she
did it with all her might.
"And it's just because l amt q
coward | don't want to meet her"
went on Bob, evidently mindful ofthe
traditions of Fitzroger valor. "You
see, Jack, could hit back if she was
a man, but she amt you know, and
of course no fellow who is a gentle
man ever hits woman"
Robert" murmered, "you are
the soul of chivalry.'
ooh. shut up, Jack Smith, and
my small brother-in-law-elect held
me with a desperate grip. "She'scom-
ing in''
l peered cautiously between the
heavy curtains, and caught a glimpse
of Miranda's lank form and lynx
eyes. The next moment she was
vanishing, but she stopped as Katie
appeared at the door.
Kate" she said in her thin, sharp
voice, 81 was looking oryou. 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! l can tell you, my dear,
that your appearance has not inn
proved since you took up with Fitz-
herbert
l Istood with freezing blood behind
the curtains, wondering what awful
revelation was about to wreck my
life's happiness. In Il lightning flash
of jealous imagination l saw Fitzher-
bert. No doubt he was one of the
swells Katie had met in London. A
military swell, one ofthose handsome,
naughty guardsmen l had read about
in society novels.
miranda" said Katie, "don'ty you
think ought to tell Jack about Fitz-
herbert?"
"No, DON'T" said Miranda sharp
ly. 81 don't see why the interests OF
our family are to be risked in a col
lision with the narrow middle-class
preiudices of Mr.. John Smith"
katie's voice sounded a little weary
when she spoke again.
"You know, Miranda, you We're
Mortified yourself when l first told
you about Fitzherbert's proposal" F"
Miranda replied in tone of cold
superiority:
Il was more open to conviction
than you would find Mr.. John Smith.
We who have been rooted in English
soil for eight centuries naturally take
larger views of life than mushrooms
of yesterday. Besides, your conduct
in this affair is justified by the ex-
ample and approval of women in the
best society"
What a world of whited sepulchers!
/ had never loved Miranda, but had
always respected her. However skep-
tical l might have been about her
personal charms, Ihad never doubted
her principles. Miranda taught a
class in the Sunday-school, worked
a district on strict Charity Organiza-
tion principles, and was decorated
with the Order of the Blue Ribbon.
Yet here was this seemingly virtuous
Miranda applauding her younger Sis
ter's falseness to a true lover because
it was the fashion of Women in the
best society to trample on honest
hearts.
81 hate concealment," said Katie;
"and Jack is so truthful himself, that
l can't bear the idea ofdeceiving him.
Oh, Miranda, dear, l was SO happy
when Fitzherbert made me the offer
that l never stopped to wonder what
Jack would think about it, but now l
am SO miserable that I sometimes
think / must give up Fitzherbert. !"
"Rubbish!" said Miranda, "and
selfish rubbish too. / wonder, Kate
Rogers, how you can talk in that
way, when you know how useful Fitz-
herbert'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. Icould stand it no longer. 1
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 Fitzherbert
on my humble account, Isaid scorn-
fully. "Do not let my vulgar preju-
dice in favor of truth and honesty in
terfere with the wider morality 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'tmarry 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 q
married man."
She looked straight into my face
with her laughing eyes.
'Fitzherbert is not q married
man," she said.
II was never good at guessing
riddles" l said loftily; "and as l am
not in the mood for them tonight, i
give this one up. IF Fitzherbert is
married, and if Fitzherbert is not a
married man, what in Heavens
name, is Fitzherbert?"
Clear came the answer in the
sweet, gay, girlish voice:
"Fitzherbert is married woman"
Then, with crushing consciousness
of having made a fool of myself,
listened humbly to Katie's little
story.
"F'itzherbertis is q West End milliner,
and was Aunt Clara's maid before
her marriage. Her name is not
really Fitzherbert, but something
quite ordinary, like Brown or Smith
oh, | beg your pardon, Jack, She