The Irish standard., 1889-06-01

in her days Of poverty, in lieu OF q better
offer, and through all her years of prosper
ity he had remained the same, low, vulgar
and illiterate, q creature to be kept out Of
sight Of her present circle Of friends, 80 far
as possible, and it CALLED her and filed her
with wrath and jealousy that girl, hitherto
dependent upon her for her daily bread,
should by one stroke of fortune rise SO high
above her in the social scale which she
would occupy as Harvey Falconer's wife,
"But there's no dangeri He's foolirg you,
girl; he'll meter marry your
Slime will tell, !" was Isabel's quiet reply.
1t seemed to her now, In the family atmos~
phere Of the work room, that it was all
dream, and that Nine. Arnot's disdainful
words were only too reasonable, but, as she
had said, time would tell, and a very short
time, for Mr.. Falconer's last words had been:
expect me at q inc tomorrow"
''In case Of such an absurdity occurring.
will give you just one year to get behind
my counter; no good results could possibly
come from such strange alliance" and
Nine Arnot dounced out Of the room far
frona gracefully, and the girls we've left
alone.
sThe sp,tefulold cat said Jennie Dewey,
Indignantly; Sits no wonder abe env1es you,
rid John Arnot; but do tell US all about it,"
But Isabel could not; she was not a gush-
ing or elusive girl, and her deeper feelings
especially were inexpressible. Mr.. Fal.
coner had touched these in his conversation,
and she could no more have repeated 1t
than she could have brought out for inspec-
ton the tenderest OF love making.
"It all seems so unreal" she pleaded; call
can tell is that he proposed to me aud I ac-
ee 19t, him. him. < 49,, p,,,., nx..-, ,.,..
ing in from the shop at the moment with q
small package.
'sThat certainly looks like tangible proofs
said Jennie, rs Isabel undid the package and
disclosed q plush box which, when opened,
revealed an elegant diamond ring. Mr. Fal
oner must have studied the slender white
fingers to advantage during his stay, for the
ring fitted her engagement finger to
nicely. A new, sweet feeling stole into her
heart with the 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
happiness as we'll as her own in her hands,
and tho question whether or not she would
fail in the trust committed to her was
serious one.
y
80 like an owl il had some one TO send me
diamond rings" cried Jennie, as Isabel
turned the brilliant slowly around on her
finger.
''Dear Isabel, am 80 glad for you," said
gentle Lottie Ford, rising and limping over
to her side, where she stood caressing the
waves Of Isabel's dark hair, as she whis
pered softly: III believe he is q good man,
and that is worth more than gold Or dia-
monds.;s
s'Yes, Lottie, - replied Isabel, in whisper
also; "yet that seems to be the last thing
others think Of. If I could not have felt
that he was good and true, would neper have
consented.'
Nine o'clock precisely brought Mr.. Fal-
coner to the shop, where he proffered his re-
guest with the air Of a man who knew what
he was about. Madam was all smiles, and
seeing that the affair was reality and near
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 person Of much more Importance in
her eyes than plain Isabel Grant.
She could not forbear one little malicious
shot, however, and she asked with touch
Of sarcasm IN her honeyed tones: 'Do your
friends, the Stanfords, attend the wedding9"
'sMrs. Falconer will make the acqualntr
ance Of my friends in her own home,
madam replied Mr.. Falconer, coldly; he
understood the sarcasm perfectly, and re-
sented it.
81 observe that the ring fitted, Miss
there were too many curious eyes about to
indulge in aught but comn1onplaces.
II wonder you could have guessed SO &C.
curately," she replied.
Sat one, then, you will be ready" he con-
tinued, still holding her hand.
'Yes." How strong he was; how his pres
ence swept away all the objections which,
when the darkness and solitude Of Eight
had surrounded her, came troopng to her
mind, suggesting Thousand tormenting
thoughts and fears.
"If there are any expenses to be met you
will allow me to defray them," making q
motion toward his breast pocket Nine. /
Arnot had withdrawn her sharp eyes for |
the moment
ooh, no, no." and she shrank back
hastily; Il have been frugal and TN we'll
supplied for the present"
There was little accomplished in the
work room that morning, the prospect Of
the wedding in che afternoon effectually .
dissipating business ideas.
Isabel would almost have preferred leav- :
ing her life at Nine. Arnot's where she had
taken it up, in the work room, but she ban
ished the idea as a sentimental one. All the
girls were to be present at the ceremony,
and Kitty Ray remarked that they owed
Isabel 9 vote Of thanks for getting thema
glimpse OF madam's parlor, which, though
nothing grand in itself, she held sacred
from the intrusion Of her shop girls, but tn
this instance she could not refuse the re-
quest of the rich Mrs. Falconer TO be.
She was too busy during the short time
remaining to have many ideas aside from,
packing her slender wardrobe into trunk
several sizes too small for it. II suppose the
next time you travel you will have sara
toga trunk with cupola on IT." said
Jennie, as she dextrously fitted 1sabeps
best hat into a box. !
ssThe future looks like a vast untried
sea-" replied Isabel, $50 entirely vague
that I make no calculations on what may or
may not come to me.''
"Not even in the prosaic matter Of
trunk," laughed Jennie; snow, should have
whole wardrobe, hung with elegant
dresses, and half jewelry store blocked
oet in my mind IL stood in your shoes" j!
r..lo, a.o..,a 1,a~c alf y, har hoef a nloin