Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-07-31
IS S.ABEI IA:
From Shop to Mansion.

From Shop to Mansion. Nrs. Pembroke was at the door to meet her, and she seemed nore lovable and win. ninx even than before in her own homo. The house, though not so largo as that of tho Carringtons, was still ample, and the servants were fewer, being chiefly old re- tainers who refused to leave their mistress after tho fortunes of war had made them free.
 ssThis picture of Alicia was taken just after her marriage" said Mrs. Pembroke. It was . beautiful oil picture of the fair young mother, taken in her white wedding dress, the misty folds of the bridal vail fall ing about her with lovely effect. "How sweet, how fair," said Isabel, look ing at 1t with tenderness. How she loved | the memory of this beautiful mother, whose ''The beauty of her face was only eQualled by the lovcliness of her character" replied Mrs. Pembroke; mono could know her without loving her; but now, my dear, l l must know all about yourself; to be sure Major Darlington has given me an outline of your history, but want to know your | inner life, your heart. dear child" | l00Y WCI0 SlLVlHR 1u O lOVCly uttl0 UOu> doir one which Alicia had loved in her girl hood; Mrs. Pembroke sat in wide-armed rocker, and Isabel, on g low, wide foot-stool at her feet, leaned against her in confiden- tial fashion as she told her of her early trials, as 8 child, in her aunt's home, at Mme. Arnot's, and of her sudden marriage, and the visit to the lonely grave of Alicia, who looked down smilingly upon them in her bridal array.
 | ho,, da hox hoo with needles, and forced to menial labors. An the sad shame of It." said the old lady, taking Isabel's hands and caressing them fondly.
 "But. indeed, grandmamma, tho needles did not prick my hands nearly so bad as tho unkind tongues did my heart, said Isabel.
 "But you have no unkind tongues in your home now." and the old lady looked at her inquiringly. ''This husband of yours, has he no fanlts1"
 "If he has he Is very successful In hiding them," replied Isabel; ''he Is all kindness | aud tenderness toward mo-" and then sho l told of Lottie and her gentle, dove-like char l Rcter.
 "And she was shop girl, too; you did l well to remember her. am glad you can not forget your friends" and the soft little hands carossed again the bowed head. | Fl could not be content to have these | IACAOS "AIuOoC AA6 CO uo 6ooA "ACA suO1h , to make others happy as well as myself" replied Isabel, earnestly
 "Quite right, dear," and tho small head | nodded approvingly; "but l can not help feeling that this woman whom you have called aunt has been much to blame, that she did not advertise or search for us in some way"
 "But, dear grandmamma, remember, she was SO crushed, SO sad and believing as she | Ai1 thok v,ov fothop hoA hoau lfl1nd aha had % little to direct her in her search; she was bitterly poor, too, and could scarcely havo paid for an advertisement" Isabel pro tested, eagerly, for she could not bear to have her second mother blamed.
 'That Is right, child, defend those who have been kind to you," and the kind hand patted her shoulder.
 "And now, grandmamma, tell mo of your self," said Isabel; "I long to know of your life, alsQ."
 "After Alicia left us we were very lonely, but she was SO near we could visit her very often, and we were so happy in seeing her happiness that we could not regret her marriage"
 "You mean my Grandfather Pembroke and yourselfr'
 "Yes. dear; how I wish you could have known him; one of the noblest of men, ,' replied Mrs. Pembroke with 8 sigh. ''It was not long, however, before she began to show signs of failing health, and her phy. sicians advised the trip to the North which resulted 90 disastrously. It seemed as ii my heart would break when saw her gc
 awsy-so fraiL yet so hopeful-but as faith
 full Chloe, who had nursed her from an infant
 went with her, I knew she would not suffer any lack of care, and tired to think 1t was , for the best, but have regretted so terri bly, since that since she must die she could
 not havo stayed and died in her mothers
 arms."
 "lt Is 30 natural for the sick to grasp at
 every straw of possible relief," said Isabel "Yes, and Chester would have taken he,
 to the ends of the earth on the shadow of {
 hope, he was 90 nearly frantic when ht : learned that her disease was dangerous
 one: then tho war broke out In all 1t.
 strength, and 1 had one letter saying tha
 they had come to the town where she died
 aud then ttAlt you wore born and after that . silence, terrible silence, until 1t seemed a
 If should die with suspense and dread. E was all alone with the exception of tn, servants, for your grandfather had joine,
 the army Ut the first alarm of real war. Tn g next news heard was when Major Caring
 ton came homo on . brief furlough, an, = told mo he had seen Chester for fev
 moments, and that my darling was dead
 and that you, hor babe, and Chloe were lei
 behind in Q Northern town, the name o which he had forgotten, in the charge of 1, woman whose name had entirely escape N him. Oh, 1t was dreadful, dear, and yo 3: can not know how l mourned and grieve y for you both. Then Chester was wounded el and your grandfather was sent home @ corpse, though, thank Heaveni not nut
 lated one, and my cup of sorrow was full.
 "Poor. poor little Rrandmamma" sai
 Isabel, oaressing the white hands.
 After the war was over we had all W
 could do to accustom ourselves to the nc, i; <: {: ;| - A|AlHHsE11E! E11! !: ,: ,: 85jAkA]yN2EEEy 5k E: