Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-07-27
IS .AB E I;
From Shop to Mansion.

"Thcn you do not consider the posses sion of fine clothing tho chief aim Tn life"
 "Ido not" she answered emphatically seTo be sure there is certain pleasure in selecting beautiful materials and having them made up artistically and well, but in the abstract, how foolish it seems to have dozen dresses, where two or three would answer every purpose"
 "Looking at things in the abstract, my dear, there are great many queer things in ilfe-the unequal distribution of wealth, for instance. While you are signing over the necessity of getting up new costume which you do not need, your poor neighbor may be shedding real tears of distress over the lack of means to get the one dress which she does need pitifully, and so the world goes. In the abstract, the 'all things in common rule, practised in New Testament times, is the true one, but in actual experl- ence, In our. time of hurry and greed, it would produce 8 worse muddle than we have now"
 "The requirements of fashion are another abstract nuisance" said Isabel, laughing. ''It seems such utter nonsense that must put enough rich material to trim my poor neighbours dress lavishly into a bungling, unnecessary train, which serves no pur- pose whatever except to get in the way and trip upawkward gentlemen"
 "There is one fashionable folly which hope my wife will never give up to- he said, gravely. ''I notice with pleasure that you have not as yet appeared in public with barred neck and arms"
 She blushed rosily. "Pray do not think, MT. Falconer, that could be so lost to all sense of delicacy as to appear III pro- of 1roc cn1 in, a manner. I assure you I blush for my sex when see such exhibitions, and believe it is at the bottom of great deal of the laxness and immortality to be found in our fashionable life"
 "I do not doubt it." he replied, heartily. 'sI believe many a scandal in high life may be traced to this unwomanly folly for it's origin, and it ought never to be seen out side of the slums or variety theaters shamelessness is to be expected there." "I am glad you agree with me-" said Isabel, ''and I wish you would carry your good taste little farther, and tell me what to purchase for this occasion" .Since you speak of it, noticed piece of velvet brocade in delicate shade of | lavender gray, at Hoags, which 1 thought at the time would make up beautifully"
 "There, now, uou are developing unex- pected traits," she said, laughing merrily Fl laO no lOca CQaL you were SO uuCu Ol u man milliner.'
 He retorted smilingly: "Let us go into a 1 partnership business; you to make matches, 1 to design the wedding garments" | A little kindergarten outfit had been pro- cured for Oracle, and these were placed in | Lottie's room, and many happy hours were spent there by the young teacher and her Ii l. l tie pupil, who never wearied of tho pretty contrivances by which she was learning the rudiments of more advanced study
 Lottie had become much attached to the little girl, and her affection was fully re, ciprocated by the affectionate child, who de lighted in waiting upon her and taking the steps which still caused Lottie such pain 1 and weariness.
 l They were engaged with tne simple les | sons when Isabel returned from her ride and Gracie was bending over her little desk engaged in a problem in addition wrought by means of pegs stuck in the holes of gaily painted board.
 "What studious pair we are," sai6 Isabel, coming in with ruddy cheeks iron | the bracing October air.
 Mamma, there has been Q man in oul room while you were gone," sad Gracle looking up from her work gleefuly; the home room was spoken of as our room be cause each felt an ownership in 1t.
 "A manl" replied Isabel, in some sur l prise; "what an unheard-of proceeding.'' I "You had better investigate the matter,
 said Lottie, demurely, and Isabel, ill obe
 dience to the hint, rose and went in at once
 MT. Falconer was there before her, ant
 hanging upon the wall in the best light thu
 room afforded was a picture, the exact coun
 terpart of the one chosen for Ralph ant
 Lilly, and the first offering which had beel
 made to the home shrine since 1t had beel
 established.
 ! CHAPTER TX. Mrs Belmond's reception was the mos
 elegant affair which Isabel had ever at