The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-06-08

mutually agreeable"
Nothing but Mrs. Stanford's w1lhngnee4
TO find fault in her could have construed
the quiet sentence into any thing improper,
but that lady, with some politely civil reply
outwardly, thought inwardly: "Our home,
indeedi q shop-girl welcoming me to our
! home with such an air."
She could not deny to herself that, after
| the awkwardness of the first meeting wore
! of. the new mistress did the honors OF the
household with graceful dignity, ana sne
found herself involuntarily admlrlng her as
! she came down attired in an afternoon oress
of heavy silk, beautifully made, and worn
! with an unconscious nochalance 1ar e.
moved from the ''dressed up parvee~ a1r'
! which Mrs Stanford SO heartily desplsed
She had come with the benevolent 1nten-
ton of giving her new relative numberless
lessons in department, but she hardly knew
where to commence and wisely concluded
to defer her instructions.
| She watched every movement, July
! prepared to criticise, though Isabel seemed
serenely unconscious of the fact. a lady
| called in the afternoon. Mr.. Falconer's
! cat Home" cards had met few re-
sponses, the most OF the recipients being
out of town, but Mrs. Colonel De Long
was All old-time friend of the Falconers,
and had made tit a point to call while on q
| flying visit to the city. :.
! She was the leader OF a select circle OF
Philadelpllia's best society, and upon her
| depended much Of Mrs. Falconers social
success.
She was, happily, one of the frank, open
| hearted women whom society can not
| spoil, her heart remaining in state OF
| healthy development, in spite OF the re-
! qu1rements of fashionable life. and Isabel
recognized in her a congenlal spirit, ano
| appeared at her best to Mrs. Stantord's
| SURPRISE for she had looked to see her
abashed in the presence OF the stylish
| stranger.
81 do believe the girls effrontery will
carry her through any thing" she com
muned with herself, as the ladies chatted
easily on various topics; still she was
secretly pleased, also, with the ability OF
her new relative to acquit herself so
| creditably in such presence.
"You have reason to congratulate your
| self on such charming accession to your
| fanily,'' said Mrs. De Long, as Isabel ex-
| cused herself for moment to bring book,
j Of which they had been speaking, from the
| library. ssWe shall be delighted to vel
[ come her among u.s." and though Mrs. Stan
| ford received the communication with
sense Of relieved gratitude, she was still IN
a tremor Of anxiety lest it leak out in some
unlooked-for manner that she had been one
of the despised class, among certain CLASS
of aristocrats, ssa shop~girl."
ssWhat do you think of her?" Isabel had
gone to her room and the brother and sister
| We're alone.
Greatly, Harvey, she uou1d be an excets
tionally fine woman il Il were notl" aha
| NF,.c for2 al,furTlV.
ssFor the terrible fact that she has oncee
earned her bread by the honest toll Of hef
! hands, said Mr.. Falconer, finishing het
sentence with a slightly sarcastic smlle1
s'Now see, my dear sister, how differently
you and view this question:: IN my eyes
this fact only stren gyhens my admiration 10Y
her. and shows me that she is a woman o.
resources and ability" !
! "Yetyou do not proclaim it publiclyfa
said Mrs. Stanford, little irritably; $50
YOU see you are not consistent"
ssYou will admit however, that the fa1t
did rot influence my CHOICE he replied9l
| quietly: s:you are onlycone OF large circle
who have this foolish prejudice against
honest labor. The fact will be known,
sooner or later of course, but prefer that
Isabel shall have the opportunity to form
certain acquainta nces first, after which
A'~A'AN
her in the least"
"Mrs. Colonel De Long seemed charmed
| with her to-day.'' said Mrs Stanford, re-
hectivcly, land 1 must confess lnever saw
any one who dropped moro readily and
easily into luxurious belongings"
| "You will find that mere externals are
not all there is co,nmendable in Isabel"
resumed Mr. Falconer, with gratifed
smile, :sand Mrs. De Long is just the
! woman to find these out, and with ner
friendship" but as the rustic Of Isabe1's
dress was heard ON the staircase, no more
was said
t'You have not inquired for Nine.
Arnot,n said Mrs. Stanford, as Isabel was
seated: Oracle was in Mrs. Montford's
room, and the three were together; there
was a little malicious curiosity in the re.
mark, to see how Isabel would take the
alluslon to her past life.
81 am not aware that have any desire
to hear from Nine. Arnot," she replied,
coldly; she recognized the covert fling
which sought to bring her former poverty
to her mind.
"Why!" said Mrs. Stanford, elevating
her eyebrows with well-affected surprise.
sBecause she is a selfish, cruel woman"
replied Isabel, with more heat than she had
shown since she had become Mrs Falconer.
land because she has little power which
money gives her she rules her work women
with a. rod Of iron.''
What, that weak, pretty little woman?"
said Mrs. Stanford, incredulously
1.-THE very same." replied Isabel, wrath.
fully. "R2ising from.the most a0ject poverty
herself, she has no pity for others who are
| poor, and grinds every ounce Of work and
humiliation and selfrespect out Of her girls
that is possible. I should Like to hear how
Lottic and Jennie and the other girls are,
but do moi care to hear Of Nine. Arnot."
"She was complaining bitterly Of her
trials when was in there LAST" said Mrs.
Stanford, ignoring Isabers last remark.
In the first place, you, who had always
been her favorte: llerrig ht-hand assistant
how much Of that she put On for my benefit
do not know CIsabel's nose went up
scornfully) had left her suddenly; Jennie
Dewey had gone soon after, and the glrlyou
call Lottie was sick ~
sLottie sick, dear sweet little Lotto
sick,'' interrupted Isabel; s'did she say OF
what?''
sHer lameness, I believe, which had be-
come so painful that she could not get to
and from her work