The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-08-30

dusty and faded with travelling. and gave
herself sly pinch as she did SO. "One
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 a wife and mother in this
elegant house.
ssWhy did you not tell me you had a
daughterl" she asked, as Mr.. Talconer ap-
peared two hours later. She had had re-
freshing nap and was dressed for dinner.
"You did not ask me-" he said; '.remem-
Der. you did not wish to skip any of the
pages in your book of experience. Is it q
distasteful oner'
| "Rather a momentous one, you must ad-
nit" she replied, smiling, Ito lind myself a
mother as well as a wife, on such short nc.
tice. but" and she looked in his face with
earnest eyes, 81 will strive to prove myself
worthy of the trust you have shown in me-"
81 am sure you will, 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 ilother," and
he toyed absently with the charms on his
watch-chan, land think you will find her
very docile and easily managed"
"She reminds me of Lilly Stanford" re-
piled Isabel, ''and l loved her at first sight"
.'Lllly is indeed a lovable girl, and if you
can train Oracle to be like her. in spirit as
well as in looks, shall be well satisfied. To
tell the truth her birth was the cause Of
her mothers death, and l fear l 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 a little sensitive
about giving her up to the care ofanother," ),
said Isabel, thoughtfully. +
Probably, and little fearful and jealous
| Of you as a step mother to her charge, but
| leave it to your good sense, to be so 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 an employee
myself to feel any superiority to Mrs.
Montford on that ground" said Isabel,
quickly.
"And vet, Mrs. Falconer, allow me to
| suggest that you keep that fact buried in
your own BOSOM" he spoke, earnestly;
"whle Idespise snob above all things, and
would have you treat our dependents with
all kindness and courtesy; still there is no
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 trifie
awkward at first In small matters, but
doubtless Mrs. Stanford 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,
as in bonnets.n
"Ah, Mrs. Stanfordr' and the young
wife sighed deeply. II fear she will be
too angry with me to do me sisterly kind
ness"
Il think you are distressing yourself
without cause" said MIR. Falconer, kindly.
"At least would advise you not to read
this chapter in your experience until you
come to it, and, by the way, that reminds
me that wish you to go out with me and
select present for Lilly and Ralph as soon
as you aresssufficiently rested, and you had bet
ter pay Nine. Morand a visit also, and have
your wardrobe replenished, as l wish to
have you appear suitably clothed from the
first" He took out bill book and gave her
thousand dollars, more money than she
had ever seen at once before, saying:
"Piease remember there is no need for
economy, and if there is not sufficient, ask
for more without hesitation"
She thanked him gracefully and quietly;
she was indeed dropping into her new
sphere of luxury with ease and dignity. and
no one would have known from her man.
ner that pln-money in thousand-Gollar guam
nf -iax fair it,h nr Of
life
Harvey Falconer looked at her with
pleased smile; had she gushed or over
whelmed HIM with profuSe gratitude he
would have been annoyed: as it was she
met his idea of a well-bred woman per-
fectly.
1--WE will go in the morning." she said,
quietly: "one'S ideas are so much clearer
than in the heat of the day"
Meantime far less peaceful scene was
being enacted in Mrs. Stanford's dining
room: the postman had come just as they
were gathered there for dinner, and Mrs.
Stanford read the letter from her brother.
Mercy on us.' she gasped, "you can
never guess the news
"What can it be, mamma, why you actu
ally look FAINT" Mrs. Stanford had not yet
put on her evening complexion.
"YoUr Uncle Harvey is married; but that
isn't all of it, was the answer.
Z" Mdrried!'' echoed Lilly, SIT must be mat
rimony is a catching disorder. but to whom!
/ didn't suppose he had looked at woman
since Aunt Matte died. Pardon the ex-
travagance, but a society young lady must
have some latitude of expression.
We'll, he has looked at one to some pur-
pose, 1t SEEMS replied Mr.. Stanford, dis
mally; 'you remember that homely girl
that waited on you the other day at Nine.
Arnots?r
'That shop-girlr' cried Lilly
'Thdt shoD-girlF' groaned Mrs. Stanford;
che has married her on one days acquaint-
ance. knew that Harvey Falconer was a
living monument of oddity, but this beats
every thing" and she read the letter aloud.
Mr.. Stanford laughed heartily. Harvey
IS original, at any rate" he said, helping
himself to the toast, which in the excite
ment was being neglected.
"What shall we dol'' sighed Mrs. Stan
ford; ''the miserable story will get out Ill
spite of u.s."
"Cut Harvey off with a shilling" sug-
gested Mr.. Stanford. facetously; his
record was truly American, having risen to
his present position from being barefoot
boy in the streets of New York, consequent
ly his sympathies were with the working
people, and he saw no particular disgrace
in the fact that Harvey had married one of
them.
do be sensible. Mr.. Stanford,' said his
wife, rather snappishly.
Then l say. in ali seriousness, that you