Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-07-18


pressed his first kiss upon her lips in the
presence of the smiling face looking down
benignly upon them
Love; it was the first time the subject
had been approached since their first meet
ing, and Isabel wondered what love would
be lige when ID came She had dreamed Of
love. What girl LAS not, q q thought Of it
as q turbulent, oyermasLarug passion, un-
bounded by reason ar common scnse. At
least that was the version of it given by the
story-writers, and she was positive there
was no such emotion ia her heart for Mr..
Falconer
He was simply b frGnd-a kind, true gem
tleman-who had rescued her from her try
ing life OF poverty, and brought her to all
these delightful things, and she respected
him above all men whom she had over seen.
Friends may exchange q kiss, and she
raised her lips to his without tremor, and
hoped for the day when kisses might be q
symbol Of q sweeter deeper feeling than
friendship.
"Mrs. Montford Isabel was seated in
an easy roclserin the h0useheeper's room.
"Ar, Falc1ner has given me permission to
fit up one OF the rooms Is suit Tiny own taste,
and have come to you for assistance. as or
course | wish to consult his tastes also, and
you have lived with hum 50 many years
that you must know him well 1t is to be
an evening room, where we can meet for
quiet rest after the day is over, aud wish
it to be thoroughly restful and eozyn
eyes, maam, I think see what you
wish,n said Mrs. Montford, with her little
courtesy She liked this new Mrs. Fal-
coner, with her quiet ways, so far removed
from haughtiness or patronage, though
with the rest OF the family below stairs,
she had alittle natural curiosity ia regard 10
the sudden marriage; sho checked it per-
emptorily in the servants under her, and
she was By far too well bred to express it,
by word or look, IL herself yet she could
not help seeing that their relations were
quite different from those OF the first Mrs
Falconer, whom she had teHderly loved,
with her husband.
IN certain sense this pleased her, for il
would have hurt her TO see another taken
at once into the tender companionship en-
joycd by the first wife.
"Mr. Falconer likes bright. rich colors,
maam," she said, thoughtfully, "but he
despises fashionable fancy work" and she
smiled at the popularity. The first Mrs
Falconer never did any of it, Have you
scent" and sEc stopped, fearing that she
eyes" replied Isabel, gently, reading
her thought; Il have seen it, and il is very
lovely and touching"
"Then, ma'am, you have some guide as to
Mr.. Falconer's tastos,n replied Mrs Mont
ford; ''only, of course, you would not follow
that as q model too closely. Mrs. Falconer
always had blooming plants in hor room,
but they would not bloom for me after she
was gone and l gave up trying to care for
them thcrc.n Tears came in her honest
blue eyes as she spoke and sine wiped them
away with the corner Of her ample white
apron.
"Mrs. Falconcr must have been rarely
sweet and loveabe LADY,, said Isabel, sim
cerely and feeIingly. Il 10 not wonder that
she was so well beloved"
"Thank you for saying IN Tho words
formed a new Ink in tho chain of Mrs.
Montford's kindly feelings toward the new
wife, 1T does you honor, ma'am, to be
willing to give the first wife her place in
our hearts. So many ladies' that l have
known that seemed to think the first wife
should be forgotten out of respect to the
second
"Ohl no, no, Mrs, Montsord,n cried Isa.
bel, with earnestness Il should dcsplse
myself could cherish such feeling, and l
honor Mr. Falconer and yourself far more
than | could had YOU suffered your love for
so sweet a lady TO give way to the claims of
a stranger True, hope 70 be loved and
respected by you, also, but not at the ex-
pense of your loyalty to her. and, rising,
she offered her hand impulsiyely to the
housekeeper, who took it in q friendly clasp
which came from the heart, now completely
won over TO her by tho few simple, woman
ly words.
81 wished to speak to you also in regard
to Oracle, she continued 4 should not
blame you at all if you felt some natural
jealousy upon being called upon so unex-
pectedy to give the child over to the care Of
a stepmother; and being totally unaccus-
toned to the care of children, 1 10 not feel
competent to undertake the charge without
your assistance
She could not have CHOSEN her words bet
ter, and Mrs. Montford's face lighted up
gratefully . will confess, ma'am, that
did feel it, she said, frankly; "any one
would with a heart, Mrs. Faconer, after
having the care Of the sweet Child from her