The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-06-13

nished elegantly with every thing needful
for restful toilet. The furniture was Of
heavy walnut, and the draperies Of rich
crimson terry gave q 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 Grantr' she
said to herself, as she stood before large
mirror and looked ut her face, somewhat
dusty and jaded with travelling, and gave
herself sly pinch as she did 30. .One
week an unhappy retainer in Nine.
Arnot's train, with no prospect OF home,
but corner in Aunt Debby's crowded cot
tage, the next . wife and mother in this
elegant house.
why did you not tell me you had .
daughter!" she asked, as Mr.. Falc0ner APP
peared two hours later. She had had q re-
freshing nap and was dressed for dinner.
'You did not ask me-" he said; s.remcm-
Der. you did not wish to skip any Of the
pages in your book Of experience. Is it
distasteful one!'
Rather . momcntous one. you must i'd
nit" she replied, smiling, TO find myself q
mother as well as wife, on such short no
tice, but" and she looked in his face with
worthy OF the trust you have shown in me-
Il am sure you wlll,' he said, touching his
lips to her hand; it was the first sign Of Q
caress he had given her, and she blushed
vividly.
.sGracie 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, land loved her at first sight"
LILLY is indeed lovable girl, and II you
can train Gracie to be like her, in spirit -
well as in looks, l 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 ID 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 . step mother to her charge. but
leave it to your good sense, to be 50 kind
and 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 housekeeper does not detract
from her worth in the least
..Surely have too lately been IN employe
myself to feel any superiority to Mrs.
Montford on that ground" said Isabel,
quickly.
And yet, Mrs. Falconer, allow me te
suggest that you keep that fact buried In
your own bosom" he spoke, earnestly
"while despise snob above all things, and
would have you treat our dependents with
all kindness and courtesy; still there is nc
need for them, or society at large, to know
that you were not born to position equal
to that you now occupy; you may be tribe
awkward ct first in small matters, bu,
doubtless Mrs. Stamford will gladly post
you on society points; she is an expert in
these things, though must confess have
paid little attention to them myself, as fash
ions in etiquette change almost frequently
- in bonnets."
.Ah, Mrs. Stanford! and the youna
wife sighed deeply. al fear she will b.
too angry with me to do me aisterly kind
nessn
u think you are distressing yourself
without cause" said Mr.. Falconer, kindly
"At least would advise you not to read
this chapter in your experience until yor
come to it, aud, by the way, that reminds
me that wish you to 60 out with me and
select Q present for Lilly and Ralph as sooL
as you areeulnciently rested, and You had BET
ter pay Mime. Morand q visit also, and have
your wardrobe replenlshed, ~ ] wish t
have you appear suitably clothed from tht
first" He took out q bill-book and gave hel
thousand dollars, more money than she
had ever seen at once beforN, SAYING
Please remember there is no need fol
economy, and if there Is not sufficient, asl
for more without hesitation"
She thanked him gracefully and quietly
she was indeed dropping into her new
sphere Of luxury with case and dignity, anc
no one would have known from her man
ner that pin-money in thousand-dollar guam
titles was not an everyday affair in her pas
life.
Harvey Falconer looked at her with |,
pleased smile: had she gushcd or over
whelmed Hmm with profuse gratitude hi
would have been annoyed; as il was she
met his idea Of wellbrcd woman per
fectly.
I'VE will 60 in the morning." she said
quietly; zones ideas are SO much cleare,
than in the heat Of the day.
Meantime far less peaceful scene wa
being enacted in Mrs. Stanford's dining
room; the postman had come just as the,
were gathered there for dinner, and Mrs
Stanford read the letter from her brother
Mercy on us!'' she gaspcd, ''you car
never guess the news
"What can it be, mamma, why you actu
ally look FAINT" Mrs. Stanford had not ye
put on her evening complexion.
"Your Uncle Harvey is married; but tina
| isn't all Of it, was the answer.
"Mdrried.r echoed Lilly, at must be ma.
rimony is a catching disorder. but to whom
didn't suppose he had looked ut womas
since Aunt Matte died" Pardon the ex
travagance, but society young lady mus
have some latitude Of expression.
Well he has looked at one to some pur
pose. 1t seems replied Mr.. Stanford, dis
Mally; 'you remember that homely CIR
that waited Oh you the other day at MN
| Arnots!''
THAT shop-girin cried Lilly
That siOi,-ItiY' grOancd Mrs. Stanford !;
The has married her on one days acquaint
| ance. knew that Harvey Falconer was 1
living monument of oddity, but this beat.
every thing" and she read the letter aloud
| Mr.. Stanford laughed heartily Harvey
is original, at any rate" he said, helpins
himself to the toast, which in the excite
| ment was being neglected.
"What shall we do" sighed Mrs. Stan
ford; 1.-THE miserable story will get out ii
spite of u.s."
| ''cut Harvey OF with shilling," sug
gested Mr.. Stanford, facctiously; hi.
record was truly American, having risen t.
his present position from being o barc-too'
boy in the streets Of New York, consequent
~ his sympathies were with the working
people, and he saw no particular disgrace
in the fact that Harvey had married one o,
| them.
! 'sDo be sensible. Mr.. Stanford" said hi.
wife. rather snappishly
| Then say, in all seriousness, that yol
had better follow your brothers. advice
and make the best Of it, he resumed, quiet
". "Harvey's head Is pretty generally
level, and I'll dare venture he has not beer
taken in by any frothy headed giglet, and
il you take her up, and make the most O.
her, she may prove y perfect lion in society
as likely to be as any other way, for 70,
know Dame Grundy dearly loves 70
nance,
| ssShe seemed very ladylike and olliet tha