Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-07-22
SAB E Tx;
From Shop to Mansi0l.

Tn her surprise; "Harvey Falconer, the ,ntAiondirc; nonsense, girl, you're joking"
 "The n.i1onahcn' It was Isabel's turn now to be surprised; she had thought little of his position in life, and had supposed him to be comfortable tradesman, or, to come nearer the truth, she had had no definite thoughts on the subject except as his words, "peace and plenty, sugE ested a home of comfortable abundance, and she sank into q chair trembling. "Im not joking" she said, faintly, "but had no idea he was q man ot such wealth when I accepted him." 'Therc will be a fine humming among his aristocratic friends when they hear he has married Q shop-girl,' said Mme. Arnot, scornfully; she had married canal driver in her days of poverty, in lieu of a better offer, and through all her years of prosper ity he had remained the same, low, vulgar | and illiterate, a creature to be kept out or sight of her present circle of friends, so far | as possible, and it galled her and filled her | with wrath and jealousy that q girl, hitherto dependent upon her for her daily bread, should by one stroke of fortune rise so high | above her in the social scale winch she would occupy Harvey Falconer's wife. "But there's no danger! He's fooling you, | girl; he'll ncusr marry you!' ''Time will tell" was Isabers quiet reply. It seemed to her now, in the family atmos- phere of the work room, that it was all a dream and that Mme. Arnot's disdainful words werc only too reasonable, but, as she had said, time would tell, and d very short time, for MT. Falconer's last words had been: | Expect me nt nine tomorrow" "In case of such an abs urdity occurring, will give you just one year to get behind | my counter; no good results could possibly | come from such strange alliance" and | Mime. Arnot founccd out of the room far | from gracefully, and the girls were left | alone.
 .'The spiteful old cat p' said Jennie Dewey, | indignantly; tits no wonder she cnvlcs you, l Isabel, in comparing Mr. Falconcr with hor- rid John Arnot; but do tell us all about It." But Isabel could not; shc was not a gush- ing or effusivc girl, and her deeper feelings | especially were inexpressible. Mir. Fal- | concr had touched these in his conversation, | and she could no moro have repeated it | than she could have brought out for inspec- | ton the tenderest of love making. 'It all seems unreal,' she pleaded; ''all can tell is that he proposed to me and ac- cepted him."
 "For Miss Grant," said Ellicc Ryan, con- l ing in from the shop at the moment with small package.
 "That certainly looks like tangible proof" said Jennie, as Isabel undid the package and disclosed plush box which, when opened, revealed an elegant diamond ring. Mir. Fall | OucT "uSG nave Sluulcu IuC SlClucI WullC l fingers to advantage during his stay, for the ring fitted her engagement finger to 0 nicety. A new, sw eet feeling stole into her | heart with tho gift; she had not been used | to being considered and cared for, and new world was opening up before her; one of | responsibility also, for she held this mans l happiness as well as her own in her hands, | and the question whether or not she would fail in the trust committed to her was 0 l serious one
 "Dear me! you wouldn't catch me looking so like cn owl if had some ono to send me diamond rings" cried Jennie, as Isabel turned the brilliant slowly around on her finger
 l 'Dear Isabel, am so glad for you," said gentle Lottie Ford, rising and limping over to her side, where she stood carcssing the waves of Isabels dark hair, as she whis- pered softly: 'I believe he is a good man. and that Is worth moro than gold or dia- | monds."
 "Yes, Lottie, !" replied Isabel, in whisper also; ''yet that seems to be the last thlng others think of. If I could not have felt that he was good and true, l would ncrer have consented"
 Nine o'clock precisely brought Mir. Fal- coner to the shop, where he proffered his re- quest with the air of a man who knew what
 he was about Madam was all smiles, and
 
 at hand, began to alter her department to- ward Isabel materially, in hope of gain to
 herself; the future wife of a millionaire be-
 ing Q person of much more importance in
 her eyes than plain Isabel Grant.
 She could not forbcar one little malicious
 shot, however and she asked with touch
 of sarcasm Ill her honeycd tones: "Do your
 friends, the Stanfords, attend the weddings"
 "Mrs. Falconer will mako the acquant- I Df fyir de in hnr h.N,S
 madam,' replied Mir. Falconer, coldly; he
 understood tho sarcasm perfectly, and re-
 sented it.
 II observe thas tho ring fitted, Miss Grant," he said, gravely, taking her hand there were too many curious eyes about to
 indulge in aught but commonplaces.
 q wonder you could have guessed so ac. curately," she replied
 "At one, then, you will be ready" he con
 tinued, still holding her hand.
 "Yes." How strong he was how his pres
 cnce swept away all the objections which
 whom the darkness and solitude of nigh
 had surrounded her, came dropping to hel
 mind, suggesting thousand tormentins /, thoughts and fears.
 Y If there arc any expenses to bo met yol ,: will allow mo to defray them,'' making J. motion toward hls breast pocket Mme i Arnot had withdrawn her sharp eyes fol e the moment
 "Oh, no, mo-" and she shrank bacl
 hastily; Il have been frugal and am wei
 supplied for the present"
 There was little accomplished in tn
 work room that morning, tho prospect o '. tho wedding in tho afternoon efrectuall
 dlssipating business ideas.
 Isabel would almost have preferred leav r. ing her life at Mmc. Arnot's where she ha a taken it up, in the work room, but she ban
 ished the idea as a sentimental one. All tn ,te girls were to be present at tho ceremony - and Kitty Ray remarked that they owe
 Isabel vote of thanks for getting them
 glimpse of madam's parlor, which, thoug
 nothing grand in itself, she held sacre
 from the intrusion of her shop girls, but 1
 this instance she could not refuse the rt R quest of the rich Mrs. Falconer to be.
 She was too busy during the short tim
 remaining to have many ideas aside frol = packing her slender wardrobe into a trun
 several SECS too small for it. "I suppose tn