Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-07-11

morning isabel had received letter from
htr aunt, with whom she had always lived,
apd it was filed with bitter complaints OF
poverty, of the husbands drunkenness, and
sad beivailings Of her hard lot, which sent
the girls heart, throbbing with pain, down,
down like lead, and made her feel as if she
had no right in that already over-crowded
home.
She was no tender-eyed heroine who could
go into that disordered household and, with
gentle words and sanity influences, lure
coarse John Harmon from his cups ana be
q tower Of strength TO the long-suffering
wife. No, indeed! she felt only too clearly
that, harassed goaded and.over-worked as
she had been, she would only prove another
element of discord there, aud she longed,
with fierce intensity, for some refuge which
would take her from it.
Miss Grant, if you can not look mora
pleasant you had better retire 20 the work
room and let Miss Dewey take your place"
said Nine. Arnot, coldly, as Mrs. Mon
tenth swept out to her carriage, followed by
Isabel's flashing eyes. ''Your expression
is enough to drive customers away, instead
Of attracting Them
They We're alone for a moment, and Nine.
Arnot took the opportunity to speak her
reproof, but another party coming in she
was all smiles in n moment.
There were several in the pertv. and de-
manaih.r Immediate atten'n.'. "'ae Isabel
woGid uiiiS loo gitldiy have followed Nine
Arnots advice, and retreated to the work
room. Upon so small "A thread our destinies
sometimes hang, but one of them, a bright
young lady, who was evidently about TO be-
come Il bride, claimed her attendance
Two gentlemen came in with them, a tall,
mlddle-aged man, whom theyounger lady ad-
dressed as "Uncle Harvey" and younger
gentleman, evidently the bridegroom elect.
1t was pleasant task to wait upon this
gentle girl after the rasping experiences Of
the day. and while Nine Arnot smiled
lavishly on tho elder ladies of the party lisa
bel brought out the daintiest and most ex-
quisite models OF the millinery art for the
inspection Of the younger lady who received
her attendance with sweetness and grace
which sOothed and com forted her in spite
of herself
The elder of the gentlemen had thrown
himself upon little sofa, and was watch
ing proceedings with silent attention.
Isabel was not handsome girl. She
realized this painfully when placed in con
trast with those more favored, but there
was in her face an interesting expression
which attracted more attention than she
knew; her eyes, which were large and full,
were really fine when lighted up with feel
ing, or brilliantly electric when in passion;
her hair, if allowed to curl, would shape itself
into long glossy ringlets which well became
the haughty poise of her head but aside
from these redeeming features Isabel was
undeniably plain; yet few gave her pass
ing glance, and surely this elderly stranger
was not doing so, for he fixed his eyes upon
her and watched her every movement with
intense interest.
isn't that hat perfectly lovely on Lillysn
said one of the ladies'. Il never saw any
thing more perfectly in her style"
1t was indeed a gem, as bonnets go, and
was further adorned by the pure, gentle
face which it framed.
"Mrs. General Lansing ordered one just
like it for her daughter; you know they
spent their honeymoon in Europe, and the
bride was exceedingly particular" said
Nine. Arnot; she was all smiles, as these
customers were looking al her best goods.
AMI Isabel was redeeming herself in her
eyes, as she waited on the young bride-tob be
with pleased interest.
GLOW do you like it, Uncle Harveyi" and
the young lady whirled gracefully on one
toe, interrupting the gentleman in a brown
study.
"Mel Oh, really am not Judge of mil
linery," he replied, rather absently. "He.
sides, the absurdity of asking me for an
opinion when Ralph is here"
"She knows only too well what my opin-
ion ISL said the younger man, gallantly
More badinage was gayly tossed back and
forth, and more hats We're brought out and
tried on, and amidst the merriment Isabel
had forgotten her troubles; even her aunt's
unhappy letter had faded from her mind,
and she was smiling cheerfully with the
rest and for the moment forgot that she
was only a shop-girl, so soothing was Lilly
Stanfords gentle manners and pretty
speech.
Finally the purchases were made, and the
party were ready to go.
"Why, aren't you going with us, Uncle
Harveyl" said Lilly, as the elderly gentle
man remained on the sofa, hat in hand.
"If you'll excuse me, believe I'll do no
more shopping to-day. You see you have
given me no opportunity to select hat for
myself" he added, laughingly, land l can
easily walk home when find one to suit
me.n
"Quite likely he is going to look up
suitable present for Lilly" said one Of the
elder ladies', nodding her head sagaciously
''since he can not stay for the wedding"
Meantime Mr.. Harvey Falconer had
stepped up to Isabel, as she was arranging
the debris of the last invasion of band
boxes, and, as the carriage drove away, he
said, gravely: pardon me- miss, for such
an apparently objectionable liberty, but
would like very much to see you alone,
with madams permission" with bow to
Nine Arnot smiling behind her counter,
She would have been supercilious under
other circumstances, but this mans family
were among her best customers, so she re-
strained her surprise, and said, politely.
'SMiss Grant, show Mr.. Faconer to the
parlor up stairs" but there was trace OF
suppressed GOODNESS and disdain after all
| beneath her smiles, and her mental com.
ment was :''What Gun Harvey Falconer have
| to say to that shop-girlf'
Isabel led the way to a small but hand.
| somely- furnished parlor on the second floor,
and as her companion dropped into the
easy chair which she wheeled out for him.
| he handed her his card, saying: II hardly
| know how to commence this interview,
which must seem so very strange to you,
| but have found myself taking remark
able interest in you as l have been watch
| ing you in the shop and l wish to inquire
into your history, so far as is necessary for
clear understanding between US, and ], in
turn, will give you my own"
"My history is soon told" said Isabel,
with half smile. II am Isabel Grant, an