The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-06-22

"Then you do not CONSIDER tue pOSseS-
sion of fine clothing the chief aim III life. !"
Isl do q,ot,n she answered emphatically.
$40 be sure there is q certain pleasure in
selecting beautiful materials and having
them made up artistically and well, but In
the abstract, how foolish it seems TO have q
dozen dresses, where two or three would
answer every purpose"
Looking at things in the abstract, my
dear, there arc great many queer things
in hfe-the unequal distribution of wealth,
for instance. While you are signing over
the necessity of getting up q new costume
which you do not need, your poor neighbor
may be shedding real tears Of distress over
the lack of means to get the one dress which
she does need pitifully, and so the world
goes. In the abstract, the 'all things in
common rule, practised in New Testament
times, is the true one, but in actual expert
ence in our time Of hurry and greed, 1t
would produce q worse middle than we
have now"
1.-THE requirements of fashion are another
abstract nuisance said Isabel, laughing.
''It seems such utter nonsense that I must
put enough rich material to trim my poor
neighbours dress lavishly into a bungling,
unnecessary train, which serves no pur.
SS>>S.
trip upawkward gentlemen"
"There is one fashionable folly which /
hope my wife will never give up to- he
said, grayely. II notice with pleasure that
you have not as yet appeared III pup1lc "lJn
barred neck and arms.''
She blushed rosily. SPRAY do not think,
Mr. Falconer, that could be so lost 10 ali
sense of delicacy as to appear III pro-
miscuous crowd Of people dressed Ill snca
manner assure you blush for my sex
when see such exhibitions, and believe
it is at the bottom of u great dea! OF the
laxness and immortality to be found in our
fashionable life.''
II do not doubt it," he replied, heartily.
Il believe many q scandal in high Life may
be traced to this unwomanly folly Tor its
origin, and it Gus ht never to be seen out
side OF the Sums or variety theaters;
shamelessness is to be expected there"
~ am glad you agree with me,'' SAID
Isabel, t'and wish you would carry your
good taste little farther, and tell me what
to purchase for this occasion.''
s'Since you speak Of it, noticed a pioce OF
velvet brocade in 6. delicate shade OF
lavender gray, at Hoags, which thought
at the time would make up beautifully
t'There, now, yoI are developing unex-
pected traits" she said, laughing 2nerIily;
"l had no idea that you were so maca Of q
man 1nilliner."
He retorted snilingly: ''Let us go into e,
partnership business; you to make matches,
to design the wedding garments"
A. Little kindergarten outfit had been pro-
cured for Oracle, and these were placed in
Lottie's room, and many happy hours were
spent there by the young teacher and iaer lit
tie pupil. who never wearied Of the pretty
contrivances by which she was learning the
rudiments of moro advanced study.
Lottie had become much attached TO the
little girl, and her affection was fully re-
ciprocated by the afectiona5e child, who de-
lighted in waiting upon her and taking the
steps which still caused Lottie such pain
and WEAKNESS.
They were engaged with the simple les
sons when isabel returned from her ride,
and Oracle was bending over her lttie
desk engaged in problem in addition
wrought by means of pegs stuck in the
holes of q gaily painted board
s:What u studious pair WE are" said
isabel, coming in with ruddy cheeks from
the bracing October air.
ssMamra, there has been a man in our
room while you were gone," sad Oracle,
looking up from her WORK giee1ully; the
home room was spoken Of as our room be-
cause each felt an ownership in it,
GA naan!" replied Isabel, in some sur
prise; s'what an unheard-oi proceedings"
<sYou had better investigate the MATTER -
said Lottie. demurely. and Isabel, in obe-
dience to the hint, rose and went in at once.
Mr.. Falconer was there before her, and
hanging upon the wall in the best Light the
room afforded was picture, the exact coul1.
terpart of the one chosen for Ralph and
Lilly, and the first Offering which had been
made to the home shrine since it had been
established.