Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-07-24

to find fault in her could have construed the quiet sentence into any thing improper. but that lady, with some politely civil reply outwardly, thought inwardly: "Our home, indeed shop-girl welcoming me to 'our kome' with such an air" She could not deny to herself that, after .he awkwardness of the first meeting wore off, the new mistress did the honors of the household with graceful dignity, and she found herself involuntarily admiring her as she came down attired in an afternoon dress of heavy silk, beautifully made, and worn with an unconscious nochalance far re- moved from the ''dressed up" parUenu air, which Mrs. Stanford so heartily despised.
 She had come with the benevolent 1nten- tion of giving her new relative numberless lessons in department, but she hardly knew where to commence and wisely concluded to defer her instructions.
 She watched every movement, fully prepared to criticise, though Isabel seemed serenely unconscious of the fact. A lady called in the afternoon. Mir. Falconer's "At Home'' cards had met few re- sponses, the. most of the recipients. being out of town, but Mrs. Colonel De Long was an old time friend of the Falconers, and had made lit point to call while on a flying visit to the city.
 She was the leader of select circle of Philadelphia's best society, and upon her depended much of Mrs. Falconer's social success.
 She was, happily, one of the frank, open hearted women whom society can not spoil, her heart remaining in state of healthy development, in spite of the re- qulrements of fashionable life, and Isabel recognized in her a congenlal spirit, and appeared at her best, to Mrs. Stanford's surprise, for she had looked to see her abashed in the presence of the stylish stranger.
 "I do believe the girls effrontery will carry her through any thing" she com muned with herself, as the ladies chatted easily on various topics; still she was secretly pleased, also, with the ability of her new relative to acQuit herself so creditably in such a presence.
 "You have reason to congratulate your self on such Q. charming accession to your family" said Mrs. De Long, as Isabel ex- cused herself for a moment to bring book, of which they had been speaking, from the librar55. i've shall be delighted to wei come her among us," and though Mrs. Stan ford received the communication with sense of relieved gratitude, she was still in a tremor of anxiety lest it leak out in some unlocked for manner that she had been one of the despised class, among certain class of aristocrats, ia shop-girl." s'What do you think of her7" Isabel had gone to her room, and the brother and sister were alone.
 "Really, Harvey, she would be an excep- tionally fine woman if it were not" and Mrs. Stanford stopped abruptly. "For the terrible fact that she has once earned her bread by the honest toll of her hands,' said MT. Falconer, finishing her sentence with a slightly sarcastic smile. '.Now see, my dear sister, how differently you and view this question; in my eyes this fact only strengthens my admiration for | her, and shows me that she is woman of resources and ability,'
 "Yet you do not proclaim 1t publicly" <! said Mrs. Stanford, Q little irritably; "so you see you are not consistent" "You will admit, however, that the fact | did not influence my choice," he replied, quietly; ''you are onlyoone of large circle who have this foolish prejudice against honest labor. The fact will he known, sooner or later, of course, but prefer that Isabel shall have the opportunity to form certain acquaintances first, after which l have no idea that the knowledge will harm l her in the least'
 l "Mrs Colonel De Long seemed charmed with her today" said Mrs. Stanford, re- | f1ectively, land I must confess never saw any one who dropped more readily and easily into luxurious belongings"
 ''You will find that mere externals arc not all there is commendable in Isabel" /" resumed MT. Falconer, with gratified smile, 'and Mrs. De Long is just the woman to find these out, and with her friendshp-," but as the rustic of Isabeps dress was heard on the staircase, no more was said.
 "You have not inquired for Mme | Arnot, :" said Mrs. Stanford, as Isabel was seated; Oracle was in Mrs. Montford's room, and the three were together; there was little malicious curiosity in the re mark, to see how Isabel would take the alluslon to her past life.
 II am not aware that have any desire to hear frosn Mime. Arnot," she replied
 coldly; sho recognized the covert fling
 which sougbS. to bring her former poverty
 to her mind.
 "Why?" said Mrs. Stanford, elevatinl
 her eyebrows with well-affected surprise
 "Because she Is a selfish, cruel woman,
 replied Isabel, with more heat than she hat
 shown since she had become Mrs. Falconer
 "and because she has a little power whicl
 money gives her she rules her work-womel
 with a rod of iron.'
 "What, that weak, pretty little womanf
 said Mrs. Stanford, incredulously.
 "The very same," replied Isabel, wrath
 fully. "Rising from..the most abjeot povert.
 herself, she has no pity for'others who ar
 poor, and grinds every ounce of work an'
 humiliation and self-respect out of her girl
 that is possible. I should like to hear hoy
 Lottie and Jennie and the other girls are
 but do not care to hear of Mme Arnot." "She was complaining bitterly of he
 trials when was in there last" said Mra
 Stanford, ignoring Isabers last remark
 "In the first place, you, who had Rlway been her favorite, her right-hand assistant
 how much of that she put on for my beneh l do not know Qsabels nose went u scornfully) had left her suddenly; Jenni
 Dewey had gone soon after, and the girl yo 1 call Lottie was sick -"
 , ''Lottie sick, dear sweet little Lotti sick" interrupted Isabel; 'did she say C
 what?'
 "Her lameness,I I believe, which had b' come so painful that she could not gett
 and from her work"
 "Poor little girl! She is the dearest an sweetest little martyr that ever lived, cried Isabel, pitifully; 'it must be th fever sore has broken out again, and he , parents are SO poor they need every penn she can earn" Tears stood in Isabel
 eyes, and she was soornful no longer. "Mr Stanford, won't you go and see her whe