The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-06-20

Il think had better not tell you," she
said. playfully; 'Gracie and will surprise
you some evening""
he stood biting his lip in grave indecislon.
81 think, Mrs. Falconer,'' he said at last,
s'that there is such room III the house, but
it is never opened except when Mrs. Mont
ford dusts and cleans it; would you like to
see it!o
She looked in his face, and read the truth.
1T is your first wife's room,' she said. gent
": s.forgive me for touching on subject
which fear has gwen you pain"
NO, no, not that" he said: 1.-THE room is
very dear to me, and when you have seen
it, you will read her character in it'll think"
They turned and went silently up the
stars to door which he reyerently un-
locked, and they entered.
It was revelation of pure. sweet mind,
as everywhere the eye met light and deli.
cate things; pink aud white were the man
colcrs used in its adornment: the walls were
tinted pink, with cornicc Of ivory white !;
the windows were curtained in delicate
filmy lace, looped back with pink satin rib
bons: small bookcase filled with her favor
tie books; q cabinet organ stood in corner,
with an open book on the rack: dainty, rest
full chairs, ornamented with laces aud pink
ribbons, stood about in unstudied positions,
as If the owner mad but just placed them
there.
A little round table stood by window; Q
wicker sewing-chair, with its lace draper
les. stood close beside it, and on the table
was q fragile work-basket. a lace-trimmed
'kerchief lay beside it, just as the owner
had laid it down, and in the basket a little
ehemise-for the infant visitor expected
by the young wife, the lace half sewn on,
the needle still where she set it last, and q
tiny gold thimblc close by the Das.sct.
From the wall above looked Gown the pict-
urcd face of the young wife in its gildcd
frame; a fair, sweet face, the index Of a
loving and pure spirit 1t was a pathetic
scene, and lsabel's eyes filled with tears as
she looked upc:. it; she held out her hands
20 him in earnest sympathy, saying in low,
tremulons tones: ~ can never. never fill
her place in your heart, am snre.''
CHAPTER ~.
No. he answered, grayely taking her
hand in his, mo one could do that: she, my
first love, holds sacred shrine in my heart
that none else can occupy: but, my wife, you
can fill your own place, and that is fast be-
coming dear one" He drew her to him,
and, placing his arm about her waist,
pressed his first kiss upon her lips in the
presence of the smiling face looking down
ben;gnly upon them.
Love: it was the first time the subject
had been approached since their first meet
ing, and Isabel wondered what love would
be like when it came. She had dreamed OF
love. What girl has not, and thought of it
as turbulent, ovcrmasterlng passion, un-
bounded by reason or common sense AT
least that was the version Of il given by the
story-writers, and she was positive there
was no such emotion in her heart for Mr..
Falconer.
He was simply fricnd--a kind. true gen.
tleman--who had rescued her from her try.
ing life Of poverty. and brought her to all
these delightful things, and she respected
him above all men whom she had ever seen
Friends may exchange kiss, and she
raised her lips TO his without Il tremor, and
hoped for the day when kisses III ght be a
symbol of sweeter, deeper feeling than
friendship
Mrs. Montford = Isabel was seated IL
an easy rocilcrin the housekeeper's room
MIR. Falcon"r has given me permission Il
iii UP one OF the rooms 10 suit my own taste
| and have come to You for assistance, as ol
course wish to consult his tastes also, ant
you have lived with hm 80 many year.
that you must know him well 1t is to b,
al evening room, where we can meet fo
| quiet rest after the day is over, and wisl
| it to be thoroughly restful and coy
Yes, ma'am, l think | see what yo,
| wist,' said Mrs. Montford, with her littl,
courtesy. She liked this new Mrs. Fal
coner, with her quiet ways. so far remove,
from haughtiness or patronage. though
with the rest Of the family below stairs
she had alittlc natural curiosity in regard I
/ the sudden marriage; she checked 1t per
| emptorily in the servants under her, an
she was by far too well bred to express il
by word or look, in herself. yet she coul
not help seeing that their relations wer
quite different from those of the Ii rst Mrs
| Falconcr, whom she had tenderly loved
| with her husband
In a certain sense this pleased her. for |
| would have hurt her 10 see another take
at once into the tender companionship en-
/ joyed by the first wife
| Mr.. Falconer likes bright. rich colors
ma'am." she said, though,fully sbut
dcspises fashionable fancy work." and sh
smiled at the peculiarly. The first Mr..
Falconer never did any of it. Have yo
seem" and she stopped, fearing that SD
| had touched on forbidden ground
YES" replied Isabel, gently, readin
her thought; II have seen it, and il is yer
lovely and touching
.Then. ma am, you have some guide as I
Mr.. Falconer's tastes" replied Mrs. Mon
ford; s'onlv, Of course, you would not folio,
| tSat as q model too closely. Mrs. Falcone
always had blooming plants in her room
ha, LII Fr,,.
was gone, and gave up trying to care fo
them there" Tears came in her homes
blue eyes as she spoke, and she wiped thel
away with the corner of her ample whit
apron.
Mrs. Falcoucr must have been rarel
sweet aud loveable lady, said Isabel. sil
ccrcly and fcelingly. Il do not wonder tn;
she was SO well beloved
"Thank you for saying it, The wore
formed new link in the chain Of Mr.
Montford's kindly feelings toward the ne
wife. ut does YOU honor. ma am, to
willing to give the first wife her place
our hearts. So many ladies' that / ha,
known that seemed to think the first wi
should be forgotten out of respect to Il
second.n
"Oh! no, no, Mrs. Monlford." cried is
bel, with earnestness. Il should despl
myself could cherish such q feeling, and
honor Mr.. Falconer and yourself far mo
than could had you suffered your love
SO sweet lady to give way to the claims
a stranger. True, hope to be loved al
respected by you, also, but not at the G
pense of your loyalty to herr" and, risin
she offered her hand impulsiyely to Il
housekecper. who took it i'll friendly Cha
which came from the heart. now complete