Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-07-18
ISABE L.:
-l OR O.
From Shop TO Mansion.
The Romantic Story OF a Dress
Makers Rise in Life.
BY MRS. F. M. Howard.
fCopyrightsd, 1859.
CHATTER III.

CHAPTER Ill
~ have brought you present, Oracle"
he said, as he embraced the child, then
placed her on the walk, and turned to
Isabel, "a mamma, and | hope you will be q
very good little daughter to herr
"a mamma" repeated the little girl,
looking up at Isabel with shy eyes; she had
never known mothers care, and could not
realize what it implied.
"My dear" said Isabel, her heart warm
ing at once to the little one, an orphan like
herself, and taking the little hand in hers.
she pressed q kiss on the sweet red lips, Il
am sure we shall love each other very dear
ly."
''Mrs. Falconer, this is Mrs. Montford,
my housekeeper," said Mr.. Falconer, as
they were met in the spacious hall by an
elderly woman, simply dressed in black.
She had good, sensible face, and Isabel
felt as if she would find in her friend in
her new and untried position.
Mrs. Montford dropped little courtesy
and welcomed the new conner IN spite OF
her surprise with a few cordial and we'll
chosen words, and then looked lnquiringly
at Mr.. Falconer
81 should have appraised you of the
event, he said, smiling, "but l wished to
surprise you. Please show Mrs. Falconer
to the east room and see that she is made
comfortable after our journey. The trunks
win soon be here, and will have yours
sent to you Immediately" turning to lsa-
bel, t'and you had better lie down and rest
before dinner.p
1t was a large and beautiful room tto
which Mrs Montford led the way, and fur
nished elegantly with every thing needful
Il "a
heavy walnut, and the draperies of rich
crimson terry gave rich, SHADED light
which was very grateful to the tired eyes of
the traveller; the soft carpet yielded to her
tread like velvet and the touch of luxury
was everywhere apparent
''Is this really you, Isabel Grant?n she
said to herself, as she stood before a large
mirror and looked at her face somewhat
dusty and jadcd with travelling, and gave
herself a sly pinch as she did 50. zone
week an unhappy retainer in Nine.
Arnot's train, with no prospect of a home,
but corner in Aunt Debby's crowded cot
tage, the next wife and mother in this
elegant house.
siWhy did you not tell me you had a
daughters" she asked, as Mr.. Falconer ap-
peared two hours later. She had had a re-
freshing nap and was dressed for dinner.
'tYou did not ask me-" he said; 'Temem-
Der, you did not wish to skip any of the
pages in your book of experience. Is it a
distasteful onep'
Rather a momentous one, you must ad-
NIT, she replied, smiling, "to find myself a
mother as well as a wife, on such short no
tice, but" and she looked in his face with
earnest eyes, II win strive to prove myself
worthy of the trust you have shown in me-"
II am sure you wall, he said, touching his
lips TO her hand; it was the first sign Of a
caress he had given her, and she blushed
wildly.
"Gracie is very like her MOTHER and
he toYed absently with the charms on his
watch chain, land think you will find her
very docile and easily managed
'She reminds me Of Lilly Stanford re-
piled Isabel, sand loved her at first sight"
.Lllly is indeed q loyable girl, and if you
can train Oracle to be like her, in spirit as
welt as in looks, shall be well satisfied. To
tell the truth her birth was the cause OF
her mothers death, and fear | was neg
lectful OF her for that reason, and 1t is only
Of late that have known much about her.
Mrs. Montford has lived with me many
years, and have trusted the child to her
care entirely
"She will naturally be little sensitive
about giving her up to the care ofanother,"
said Isabel, thoughtfully.
Probably, and q little fearful and jealous
of you as a step mother to her charge, but
leave it to your good sense, to be so kind
aud considerable that this difficulty will
soon be overcome with mutual respect and
goodwill remaining. Mrs. Montford is an
excellent christian woman, and has every
claim on our consideration, and the fact Of
her being my housokeeper does not detract
from her worth in the least
''Surely have too lately been an employe
myself TO feel any superiority to Mrs.
Montford on that ground said Isabel
quickly.
"And yet, Mrs Falconer, allow rae to
suggest that you keep that fact buried in
your own BOSOM he spoke, earnestly
"while despise a saob above al things, and
would have you treat our dependents witt
all kindness and courtesy; still there is nc
need for them, or society at largo, to know
that you were not born to position equal
to that sou now occupy; you may be tribe
awkward ut first ii small matters, but
doubtless Mrs. Stanford viii gladly post
you on society points, she is an expert III
these things, thou gh must confess have
paid little attention 70 them myself, as fash
ions in etiquette change almost frequently
as in bonnets."
"Ah, Mrs Stanford and the young
wife sighed deeply. / fear she will be
too angry with me 70 do me q sisteriy kind
ness
az think you are distressing yourself
without cause said Mr Falnoner. kindly