Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12

/ do not know Qsabels nose went up
scornfully) had left her suddenly; Jennie
Dewey had gone soon after, and the girl you
| call Lottie was sick ="
"Lottie sick, dear sweet little Lottie
SICK" interrupted Isabel; ibid she say OF
whatl'
"Her lameness 1 believe, which had be-
come so painful that she could not get to
and from her work"
"Poor little grill She is the dearest and
sweetest little martyr that ever lived, ~
cried Isabel, pitifully; SIT must re the
fever sore has broken out again, and her
parents are so poor they need every penny
she can earn" Tears stood in Isabel's
eyes, and she was scornful no longer. Mrs
Stanford, won't you go and see her when
! you returnl"
"IKel well, that would be new role for
me to appear in, replied the lady; ''proba-
bly, she lives in some low, filthy street;
really, my dear Mrs. Falconer, that is ask
| ing too much, but I'll tell the district Wis
itors or send the servants If you wish.'
''My dear, dainty sister," said Mr.. Fall
coner, who had been silent listener to the
conversation, with a touch of wholesome
disdain in his voice, 'tif the Lord of Glory
had come on earth in your time, you would
too low place for you to visit Him in, and
would no doubt send your respects by q
servant or district visitors
''Harry Falconerp The lady was really
shocked. "What an idea; as if there were
any parallel between the two cases."
'.I'm not an extensive Bible reader, but l
have faint recollection of something in it
like this: Tnasmuch as We have done it
unto the least of these, We have done it unto
Me-" replied Mr. Falconer, quietly.
"Pardon me if / seem rude, Mrs Stan
ford" said Isabel, "but recall my request
Please do not go, for Lottie is so sensitive,
so quick to read hearts and faces, that she
would detect a proud or unsympathetic
thought at once"
'sHave no fears; didn't have the least in
tention of going" replied Mrs. Stanford,
with hard little laugh; ''it's quite out of
my line; but speaking of my return, have
a proposition to make. What do you say to
lending Oracle to me for a few months
Lille is gone and l am very lonely" she
spoke feelingly now, and with much softer
tone
Isabel looked inquiringly at her husband,
who answered promptly: "Why no, Emily,
we could not think of sparing the child;
could we, Mrs. Falconer!"
Certainly nothing but a desire to oblige
Mrs. Stanford could be an inducement, and
we should miss her very much" replied
Isabel, thoughtfully; she had not realized
how the little one had crept into her heart.
at would not be at ali advisable" re-
joined Mr.. Falconer, decidedly; but hearing
Grace's light step in the hall, 1--WE will leave
it to her, and see if she wishes to go. How
is it, Gracie?'' as the child came in, and, as
Isabel held out her arms, nestled in her lap,
putting her arms confdingly about her
neck. Would you like to go home with
Aunt Emily and be her little girl for a
time?"
The child looked from one to the other
doubtfully, and then at her aunt, who
awaited her answer smilingly.
eff you please, papa, Iwould rather stay
with you and mamma" she answered, pat
ting Isabel's cheek with her little white
hand.
$50 you shall, DEAR" said Mr.. Falconer,
in satisfied tone; he had little doubt of
her reply when he put the question.
"Don't you remember what lovely time
you had when you were there last year!'
said Mrs. Stanford, coaxingly; "the rides
in Central Park, and all the other nice
things you enjoyed so much?"
"Yes, auntie," replied the child, readily,
shut l didn't have mamma then"
Mrs. Stanford bit her lip in annoyance.
What was the charm about this plain, I'M
assuming woman which brought her such
love and respect? she asked herself impa-
tiently, and the answer would have been
apparent had she not been so blinded by
pride and prejudice that she would not see
"Shal we spend the evening in the
home room?" said Isabel to her husband.
inquiringly. Mrs. Stanford had stepped
out upon a small balcony, ostensibly to look
at strld of flowers there, really to re-
cover from her vexation, which her native
good sense told her was unladylike and IN
called for.
"No," he replied, decidedly, "not until
our family wheels have an application
Of the oil Of kindness and love-" and he
looked significantly at the form on the bal
cony; "we want no jarring or discordance
there"
''Is there any thing 1 can say OF do Mr..
Falconer" in low, panied voice.
"No, my dear wife, he had never called
her that before, and she looked up at him
gratefully. "Only be patient and natural
Emily is not showing her better self, and
am sure little patience and forbearance
will bring it out all right"
Mrs. Stanford, even then, was struggling
with herself, having the grace to be ashamed
of her petulance. al know 1 should love
her with the rest" she said to herself, "if
she had been one of our own rank in
society, but" and that little "but, was
enough to embitter all her thoughts.
Mrs. Stanford had two sides to her char
acter, one selfish and worldly side. with |
an overwhelming respect for what they |
would say or do, the other a charmingly |
friendly and kindly one, which few could |
resist This better self was struggling for |
pre-eminence, as she absently looked into |
the depths of pure Gala lily.
"Oh, papa, lett. r.te 1ut g Paramount |
this evening" said Oracle, as Mrs. Stan |
ford came rustling in with a happier shade !
upon her handsome face. "Auntie has not |
seen the new statuary."
''True, my little girl, that is a happy sug-
gestion," said Mr.. Falconer, ''if auntie |
would like to CO."
at would certainly be very pleasant
way Of spending the evening" said Mrs.
Stanford, graciously, she had senslbly de-
termined that there should be no more fric-
ton for that evening at least, and Mr. Fal-
coner went at once to order the horses.
The cool evening air, after the heat of the
day, and the beauty of the drive insensibly
Gained Mrs. Stauford's ruf1ed feelings and
brought out her better self, and she was
particularly chatty and agreeable, to Isa-
bells relief, who responded at once to her
mood.
Oracle delighted in riding, and expressed
the happiness of her little heart by flow of
childish conversation as she nestled close
by Isabers side, laying her cheek lovingly
against the soft velvet and chenille Of her