Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-10-10
ISAB E L:
- OR e
From Shop to Mansion.
The Romantic Story Of a Dress
Makers Rise In Life.
BY MIS-. r. NJ. Howard.
Copyrighted, 1881
CHAPTER TX

CdARIE6 Tx.
Mrs Belmond's reception was the most
elegant affair which Isabel had ever at
tended, and she felt almost lost in the crush
of splendid toilets and bewildering adorn-
ments; the spacious rooms were beautiful
ly decorated, and on every hand was a
lavish display of wealth and luxurious taste.
Mrs. Falconer was looking her best, to
her own satisfaction as well as her hus-
bands, who had looked at her with a salts
fed air as she appeared before him.
She had chosen the lavender gray in a
combination of plain and brocaded velvet,
and it was very becoming to her clear COM
plexion, and Nine. Morand had ouudone her
self in the tasteful manner in which it was
made. A handsome set of diamonds gave
finishing touch of brilliancy to its some
what quiet effect, and the diamond locket
had been reburnished by her jeweler, and
hung conspicuously about her neck. She
had an object in this beyond display; an
ever-present hope that it might yet lead to
the discovery of her family.
She was listening with rapt attention to
the performance of a skilled pianist, when
upon lifting her eyes she observed gentle
man watching her intently; he was an elder
" man, tall and with a distinguished mill
tary bearing, and noting that his gaze was
observed, he turned.away and began speak
ing to another gentleman
He was evidently person of note among
the guests, for wherever he went there was
marked attention paid him, as Isabel noticed
curIously, after having her attention drawn
by the fixed look with which he had re-
garded her.
Supper was over and she, with her friend
Mrs. Dwight, had strolled into the conserva-
tory to admire Mrs. Belmond's large and
rare collection of plants. She stood by
wonderful specimen of the lily tribe, its
heavy pendulous blossoms filing the air
with rarely sweet perfume, when she felt
light touch upon her arm, and Mrs. Colonel
De Longs familiar voice said, slowly:
MRS. Falconer, allow me to present to you
Major Darlington, of Richmond
She started and looked up; the tall gen.
tleman who had watched her by the piano
stood by her side, holding out his hand to
her, with his eyes fixed, not upon her, but
upon the locket which she wore.
She turned pale, as a momentary deathly
faintness seized her at hearing the name so
familiar to her, but she mastered her emo
ton and gave him her hand, managing to
speak a few words Of conventional greeting
pardon me for approaching personal
topics, Mrs. Falconer," he said, as he led
her to a quiet corner of the music room,
where they could converse freely. II sought
this introduction, because the locket you
wear has made me very curious to know
more of you. 1t is the exact counterpart Of
one worn by a dear friend of mine, and I
am anxious to know how it came in your
possession"
"Major Darlington" she said, her heart
beating unanimously, 81 have worn the
locket in the hope that it might lead to the
discovery of my family" and she unclasped
the trinket from her neck and laid it in
his hand; he opened it, starting as the
familiar faces within met his eye.
"Who are you!" he cried, in agitation,
"and how came you by this?"
81 SDaS Isabel Darlington" looking up at
him with eyes moist with her emotion,
land the pictures are of my father and
mother; and you, Major Carringtonp'
''1f what you say is true am your uncle,
my DEAR" he replied, more composedly and
looking searchlngly in her face; 1" you are
very like your father, my brother"
'fOh, tell me of my fatherr' she cried,
earnestly, a sweet hope springing up in her
heart at the words. SIS he iving!'
Eyes, he is living" ne replied, slowly and
doubtfully.
"And 1 shall see him!" She clasped her
hands in grateful emotion. ''Oh, 1 am so
happyw
eyes, you will see him; but, my dear
child, why do you not inquire why you have
been left all these years, unclaimed and ap-
pareutly uncared fora"
81 have but recently come to the knowl-
edge of who my family were," she replied,
simply, 'and have laid our separation to
the fortunes of war"
''Yes, too true; the sad, sad fortunes Of
war;" with tone of regretful sorrow.
when my brother came South and joined
the army l only saw him once ior few
moments; he told me then that he had left
his young wife in Northern burial ground
and his little babe in the care of Northern
woman with Nurse Chloe. He mentioned
the name Of the village, but, in the excite
ment Of meeting him, 1t slipped my mind en-
tirely, and / could never recall it or the
name of the woman with whom you were
left.
ga fierce battle occurred soon after, and
your father was terribly wounded, was
taken of the field among the dead, in fact,
but afterward revived and was sent to the
hospital, and after a wonderfully critical