West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-09-20


going up again or down to the Kitchen
':Don't be coward, my boy" l said,
feeling it my duty to be moral. 'fOf
course Miranda will scold If she finds
you, but you must bear it like q man.
"Scold" repeated Bob, with scorn in
his subdued tones. "Do you think I'd
care il il was unly thatl"
l understood the full peril of the
situation now. Miranda prided herself
on doing mothers duty to the mother
less boys, and knew that whatever her
hand found to do she did it with all her
might.
"And it's just because 1 amt coward
don't want to meet her." went on Bob.
evidently mindful of the traditions OF
Fitzroger valor. "You see, Jack, I
coulo hit back II she was man, but she
amt, you know, and of course no fel-
low who is gentleman ever HITS a
woman.p
''Robert," murmured, 'you are the
soul Of chivalry"
''oh, shut up, Jack Smithw and my
small brother-in-law elect held me with
desperate grip. ''She's coming in"
peered cautiously between the heavy
curtains, and caught 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 for you. / think
you might help me to pot the Jam. Smith
may not be here tonight, and If nc
comes let him wait. How pale you look
i can tell you, my dear, that your ap-
pcarancc has not improved since you
took up with Fitzherbert.n
/ stood with freezing blood behind
the curtains, wondering what awful
revelation was about TO wreck my life's
happiness. in lightning flash of jeal-
Gus imagination saw FitLherbert. No
doubt he was ore Of the swells Katie
had met in London: A military swell,
one of those handsome, naughty guards
men / had read about in society novels.
Miranda" said Katie, don't Won
think l ought to tell Jack about Fitz-
herbert?n
mo, DON'T" said Miranda, sharply.
81 don't see why the interests OF our
family are to be risked in collision
with the narrow mddlo-class prcjudices
of Mr.. John Smith"
Katic's voice sounded little weary
when she spoke again.
''You know, Miranda, you were horri-
fed yourself when / first told you about
FitZherberts proposal
Miranda replied in tone of cold supc-
riority.
al was moro 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 yester-
day. Besides, your conduct in this af-
fair is justified by the example aud APP
proval of women in the best society"
II hate concealment," said Katie;
''and Jack is so truthful himself, that |
can't bear the idea Of deceiving him.
oh, Miranda, dear. i was so happy when
Fitzherbert made me the oler that l
never stopped to wonder what Jack
would think about it, but now | am so
miserable that l sometimes think / must
give up Fitzherbert."
"Rubb .shl" said Miranda, "and self
ish rubbish too. wonder, Kate Rogers,
how you can talk in that way, when You
know how useful Fitzherbert's money is
tc your poor father"
Oh, this was too awful7 Katie not
only false to me, but actually so mean as
TO take money from her new lover. I
could stand it no longer. / wrenchcd
myself from poor little Bob's gasp, aud
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" ] said scornfuliy.
"Do not let my vulgar prejudice in
favor OF truth and honesty interfere with
the wider morality OF the best society.
Marry Fitzherbert tomorrow, If you
like, and be as happy as you deserve to
be-"
The color rushed back into Katic's
face The l'ght sparkled in her eyes.
She actually laughed.
"ThaDk you very much, Jack, " she
said, "but even with your kind per-
mission I can't marry Fitzherbcrt. The
fact is, and her blue eyes danced,
"Fitzhcrbert is married woman"
Then, with the crushing consciousness
Of having made fool ot myself. /
listened humbly to Katie's little story.
FitLherbert is West End milliner.
and was Aunt Clara's maid before her
marriage. Her name is not really Fitz-
herbert, but something quite ordinary,
ike Brown or Smith - oh, / beg your
pardon, Jack She was always fond Of
me, and I often amused myself looking
through her new fashions. One 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
because none of the new Paris bonnets
suited her She was ono of the best
customers, and poor Fitzherbert was In
despair when she was leaving the shop in
q rage. Well, Jack, have quite a geniu,
for millinery. Ono Of our ancestors was
painter, AID Aunt Clara says have his
artistic csc for color and form. Anyhow,
] always seem 20 know exactly what suits
p face. ] persuaded the old lady to sit
down again, and with Fitzhcrbert's per.
mission. i made a few alterations in one
particular bonnet. The result was 80
becoming that the old lady was
charmed. You arc heaven bora
millincr, my dear she said. why
don't you 20 I'm for that sort Of thinn2
It Is oil the fashion among tho
best people Aunt Clara called for me
presently, and was quite struck with tho
new idea. After n long talk with Fitl-
herbert, it was decided that 7 should 20
20 the shop every day, aud qualify for
the position Of millinery aidc-de. camp.
] became quito popular with the custom
ors, especially the elder ones love old
ladies, and delight In making them look
lovely, and some Of them threatened to
leave Fitzhorbcrt unless undertook the
arrangement OF their Eonnots and cans
Tor The torn Of nv eiuuio life Fffzhee-