Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-19
ISABEI:
From Shop to Mansion.
The Romantic Story Of a Dress
Makers Rise in Life.
BY MRS. =. M. Howard.
Copyrighted, 1881
CHAPTER V-CoSTTYrrn.

| you," said Mrs Stanford, as she inspected
the garnet velvet with the eye of an ex
pert, 81 must say you have shown th'
most perfect taste in your selections" Sht
had half expected to see a gaudy display
such mistake as might easily have beer
made by less pure taste.
Isabel received the commentator with 6
flush Of pleasure; she was anxious 10 bt
friendly with this naughty sister-in-law
though she did not intend to crlnge, or sac
| rifice shade of her self-respect, TO gain heI
friendship, and it was pleasant to hear {
compliment from her, even upon the sec
ondary topic of dress.
sit is the first time have ever had the
opportunity of pleasing myself without re
gard to expense" she replied, quietly, ''anG
doubtless my taste will improve with oppor
/ tunity and culture"
'I don't see how it can," said the other
with candor. 81 haven't told you of Lilly's
wedding gifts, have I!'' she continued, with
a mothers pride in her only daughters
marriage festivities.
81 shall be delighted to hear" said Isabel
cordially. II admire Mrs. Norton so much
and am in such haste to make her acquaint
ance"
The balm was soothing to the mothers
QSdTL1 anu Suc TcplloO COIuldAly dIoOs Will q
little laugh: ''The admiration is mutual
then, for Lilly quite raves over you; that
picture which you and Harvey sent quite
captivated her, and it is beauty; it takes a
front rank in her list Of gifts" and then
followed description OF the wedding and
trousseau, which occupied the remainder OF
the morning.
In the afternoon more callers came in,
Trrf fhar.a
prominent lady in the circle which Isabel
was expected to enter.
She had tired of Newport, she said, and
had come home to rest; she was bright,
captivating little body, and, like bracing
breeze, cheered and cleared the atmosphere
wherever she went. Society had quite
failed to spoil her, and she carried her
warm heart where nature had placed it, in
direct communication with her bright, busy
brain, and her deeds of charity ana kind
ness will perhaps never be estimated until
she meets them again in that hereafter,
where even the kindly word and modest
cup of cold water are not forgotten.
ave shall have such a delightful oppor
tunity to get acquainted before the season
commences" she said, brightly. ''If only
knew how to knit 1 would put on a black
knitting, as grandmamma used to do"
"But in lieu of knitting, please lay aside
formality and come in without ceremony"
said Isabel, gracefully, meeting her callers
cordiality. Mrs. Stanford was more than
ever impressed with her new sisters abil-
ity to make her way in society, and she was
in a very amiable frame of mind as evening
drew near, which fact Mr.. Falconer OBJ
served with pleasure.
ave will spend the evening in the home
room,' - he said to Isabel in a low voice, as
they passed out of the diningroom.
Every WE'LL" she said, looking up, with a
happy smile. 81 have to speak to Mrs
Montford a moment, and will join you
there"
"This is our snuggery; where we keep
the altar fires of home burning" said Mr..
Falconer, as he threw open the door and
ushered his sister in. 1t was a revelation
to her, and she looked about her in sur
prise; as well she might, for there was
nothing in her elegant home which COM
pared with it for beauty and purity of de-
sign.
1T is Isabel's work." said Mr.. Falconer.
'She and Oracle planned it all"
"Even to the portrait!" said Mrs. STAN
ford, ineuiringly, as she paused before the
picture IN surprise. She had imagined fair
Mattie's face banished from the new wife's
presence.
"That was her thought, also, and a COM
plete surprise with the rest''
81 surrender, Harvey" The sister turned
with tears in her eyes toward her brother
and placed her hand upon his arm affection
ately. She had a tender heart, though, as
we have seen, it was surrounded with a
heavy crust of worldliness. You have in
deed found a treasure among women, and
together we will fight her battles, if need
be, before the world.
The remainder of Mrs. Stanford's visit
was very pleasant and she seemed striving
TO atone for her first unlundness. "If there
is any thing in which can be of assistance
to you," she said the following morning as
they were sitting in the library. She spoke
with a little hesitation; she did not wish to
be patronizing, but she was so accustomed
to being so that she feared to blunder into it
unconsciously.
81 am ignorant on some points, Twill con-
fess," replied Isabel, frankly. There are
certain forms and ceremonies in society in
which have hitherto had no need to educate