Wichita eagle., 1889-05-16
HISS INMAN'S GUESTS.
They Were Very Distinguished
People, for q Time.

"How dreadfully AWKWARD 1or Aunt
Oecima 10 come just now n said Miss Helen
2nman, as she sat before the glass, brushing
out her beautiful blue-black tresses with
slow, leisurely strokes, ''when the Syden-
ham Wickfords are here, and mamma is
strainfng every nerve to make good I'M
preston on them"
"But Aunt Decima was grandmamma' s
sister, and the Sydenham Wickfords are no
relations at all" protested Lizzie.
"But they are such charming people,"
said Helen.
"All the same" declared Lizzie, 81 don't
see why mammals aunt should be tucked
away in the garnet bedroom, and that fat
Mrs. Sydenham Wexford and her blowsy
daughter and the English maid put into the
best rooms"
That is all you know about the require
nlents of society" said Helen, somewhat
disdainfully. AUNT Decima will do very
well, l dare say. If she don't like it she
can go back TO her huckleberry swamps."
Helen was a brilliant brunette, with
lovely liquid eyes, a complexion Ike balsam
blooms and a Cupid's bow Of a mouth.
Lizzie was an overgrown schoolgirl Of six
teen, who was being kept resolutely in the
background until her elder sisters marriage
should open to her the gates of society.
Mrs. Inman was one Of those hardwork-
ing ladies who are forever trying to reach
one rung higher of the social ladder. Helen
was unquestionably a beauty; and she in
tended that Helens good looks should fetch
the full market price. For the turthering
of this scheme Miss Inman had been taken
to Europe, to receive the seal set by foreign
travel. And, on the return voyage, they
- had been fortunate enough TO meet the
Sydenham Wickfords, coming over to view
the untried wilds of America.
Mrs. Sydenham was the niece-or at least
she said she was-of Lord Corlindale, and
niece Of the Baron Brattleberg. Her daugh-
ter was going TO write book about the de-
funct Indian tribes. Her husband-a little
man, with pale hair and eye-glasses-was
the bearer Of dispatches to the British Min
lister.
To all this Mrs. Inman listened with
rapture-and she considered herself highly
honored when the Sydenham Wickfords
consented 10 accept her hospitality, instead
of going, as had been their original plan, TO
hotel.
But all this involved no little expense
Mrs Inman, although refined, was not rich.
The hiring of additional servants, the re-
furnishing of a good part of the house, the
ordering in Of dainties from the nearest
restaurant, nearly wore out her slender
means.
But they are such charming acquaint-
ances," said Mrs. Inman. They can't stay
Usrv long, because Florinda wishes to visit
Dakota and Nebraska before the fail sets In
80 gather material for her book. And what
an advantage IL WILL be for Helen to know
them in society this winter
Society" repeated Lizzie, leaning her
plump elbows on her mothers dressing ia
- bic. at seems to me, mamma, that society
IS always demanding sacrifices from US, and
never giving any thing back"
"You are only child said Mrs Inman.
''But to think that Aunt Decima should
drop in upon US now, Of all times in the
worldr'
Aunt Decima was delicate, timid, little
old lady, who Wore softly-rustling black
silks, string Of gold beads around her
mock and caps that Mrs. Inman secretly
pronounced to be just the style that Mrs.
Methuselah might have worn.
u am afraid" said she, timidlv, THAT
have arrived at an inopportune season"
Mrs. Inman and Helen were both silent
Lizzie, whose tendency it always was 10 take
the weaker side, put her arm tenderly
around the little old lady's waist, and gave
her hug.
"rH take you about wherever you want
good rs any guide-oook, and l delight in
shopping"
Aunt Decima smiled gratefully on her
little grand-niece; and so it happened that
she and Lizzie formed a little clique of their
own, while Mrs. Inrlan and Helen devoted
themselves TO the Sydenham Wickfords.
"Your housekeeper, l presume-a most
spectable-lo0king cid person." said Mrs.
Sydenham Wexford, noddinC towards
Aunt Decima; ''but q little deaf, l should
jd,saoy. Iawsked her to see that the maids
brought hot water to my room every morn
ing and she really-ah-aoted as If she
didn't hear me-"
Mrs. Inman turned red
I'VE American ladies are our own house
Aeepers," said she Mrs. Everard is my
aunt Aunt Bessie, let me present you to
Mrs. Sydenham Wexford"
Delighted, I am sure p" said Mrs Svden-
ham, who, being very stout, and very tight
" laced up in q fame-colored satin dress.
was unable to courtesy in reply to Aunt
Decima's bow. land this tai gurl-didI
understand that she is your sIepdaugh-
terf'
No." smiled Mrs. Inman; "she is my
own child"
Not a particle like our chawming Helen
here" said Mrs. Sydeuham Wexford.
All, Will you please ring. my sweet Helen,
70 see what detains Florinda. The dear
child is apt TO fall into fits of abstraction
over her literary labOrs, and l am quite
perssiag for my dinnerH'
After that Aunt Decima and Lizzie kept .
out OF the drawing -room.
I'VE don't Ike 10 be patronized, do We" .
SAID Lizzie, with laugh. But 1t makes .
me angry to see mamma and Helen wait /
upon those vulgar English people. Dear .
Aunt Oecirna, let US go back 10 the old farm
In Massachusetts am sure / should like /
the country. Mamma and Helen don't need /
me, ana am sure they wouldn't miss me.n 1
i am expecting a friend on the next .
steamer, gently spoke Mrs Everard. 'As .
soon as she arrives we VIII al go bacl |
home"
Il hope 1t viii be soon," said Lizzie,
"for am sure you must be awfully uncom-
Portable IN that hot attic chamber. where
the roof touches your head and there isn't
Q sign OF carpet on the foorr
l Aunt Declrna had never before seen her