Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-10-17

irlenuS, MISS Teresa remarked, In q
provokingly demure voice.
Mrs. Calender gave an impatient
sniff.
Charming. do you call himp Then
the sooner you disabuse your mind OF
that notion the BETTER" she answered
coldly. "He is frivolous and vain; he
laughs and sneers at everything good
and proper, and he is, besides, man
of no fixed principle"
And then Miss Caroline made the
unfortunate speech which at once and
forever deprived her of place in
Mrs. Callender's good graces.
"No fixed principles!" she answered
coolly. Dear mel suppose that is
the reason he is so nice! l always
notice that people with elastic princi-
pies are much pleasanter and easier
10 live with than straight-laced people.
Oh, | can see that Mr.. Cleveland and
l will be great friends by-aud-bym
A short silence followed. Mrs.
Calender, who was unaccustomed to
opposition, glared ut her young COM
panion in stormy silence; but Miss
Caroline returned The stare with placid
serenity, and seemed altogether undis-
turbed by the disappearing look.
"Oh, yes-great friends!" she re-
peated, with u sweet smile.
IL would not advise it, He is not
desirable acquaintance for any young
lady," Mrs. Calender answered at
last. There are some most extraor-
binary stories ahoat concerning his
treatment OF his wife"
"Oh, he's married then?" There
was just a shade of disappointment in
Miss Cardines voice.
Eyes, he has been married some
years; but his wife never goes out or
sees anyone. He keeps her shut ur
in that dismal old Priory."
''WhyP Is she an invalidP"
"Oh, dear, no! But she is very
pretty and they say he is fearfully
jealous"
dear me-quite modern Blue
beardn said Miss Caroline languidly.
She drew her wrap more closely round
her as she spoke and gave a little
shiyer. "How very cold it is!'
The remainder of the drive passed
almost in silence, for Miss Caroline
was tired and sleepy and disinclined
for conversation. They left the streets
and factories far behind, and drove
through narrow lane, between tall
hedges, bare and leaaess now, but
which summer would make beautiful
tri will hnnnV.stn1lrln
the carriage turned in at a gata,
swept up long avenue OF beech treec.
and stopped before a large house.
A servant came forward and opened
the door; and Miss Caroline chilled
and cramped with her cold drive, and
feeling little depressed and resent
full, followed Mrs. Calender into the
hall.
lis your mistress in the drawing
room, james,"
YES, madam"
Every well; you had better see her
Teresa, before going upstairs" Mrs.
Calender said, as she threw her cloak
upon the hall-table. Come this
way"
And Tessa meekly followed.
The room they entered was large and
filled with handsome but somewhat
old fashioned furniture. The curtains
and carpets were rich and sombre; a
few water-color drawings hung on the
walls; but the arrangement of the fur
nature was stiff and formal, and the
room had an unhomelike depressing
air, which touched Tessa unpleasant
ly. There were very few ornaments
no piano-and a few dingy books
formally piled upon center table
constituted the literature of the room
and-an omission which struck Teresa
most forcibly-no plants or flowers.
BY the fire, in low chair, little
Old lady, wearing a gray silk gown
and close muslin cap, was sitting.
She had book on her knee; but she
was not reading-her clasped hands
were resting on the open page-aud
there was look OF patient sadness in
her gentle face, which Tessa noticed
and wondered over at once.
Her is Teresa Caroline, mother"
Mrs. Calender said in her loud voice.
The little lady thus rudely awaken
id from her reverie started, colored
family, and half rose from her seat to
greet the newcomer.
Teresa moved hastily to her side.
"Please don't novel can come to
YOU" she said shyly.
Mrs. Bevau took the proffered hand
between her wrinkled palms, and
looked eagerly into the girls face.
Thou art like thy mother, my
love-" she said, after a little pause.
"Dost thee mind kissing an old wom-
amp"
''Mind!"-and Teresa knelt down
upon the carpet. With pretty grace
she bent her head and put her sweet
cold lips to the soft face. at is so
good of you to have me here!" she said
gently.
"Good! / hope you will be happy
with us, my dear" Mrs. Bevan an
swered. "Wilt thou have some tea
now, or wouldst thou prefer it in thine
own room?"
Better have it upstairs, :" Mrs. Cal
lender suggested; but Teresa, who
was conscious of a growing disposi-
ton 10 oppose everything, no matter