Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-07-22

.Ak the massive steps, with beaminR smiles, to meet them.
 'Papa, dear papav' sho cried, as she threw herself eagerly into his arms.
 CHAPTER 111
 Fl have brought you Q present, Oracle, !" he said, as hc embraced the child, then placed her on the walk, and turned to Isabel, "a mamma, and hope you will bo 0 very good little daughter to her."
 "A r1amma," repeated the little girl, looking up at Isabel with shy eyes; she had never known q mothers care, and could not realize what it implied.
 "My dear," said Isabel, her heart warm ing at once to the little ono, an orphan like herself, and taking the little hand Tn hers. she pressed kiss on the sweet red lips, I am sure we shall lovc each other very dear ly."
 "Mrs. Falconer, this is Mrs. Montford my housekcepcr," said MT. Falconer, as they were met in the spacious hall by all elderly woman, simply dressed in black. She had q good, sensible face, and Isabel felt as if she would find iu her a friend in her new and untried position.
 Mrs. Montford dropped Q little courtesy and welcomed tho new conner in spite of her surprise with q few cordial and we'll chosen words, and then looked lnquiringly at Mir. Falconer.
 ''I should have appriscd you of the event." he said, smiling, "but wished to surprise you. Plcuse show Mrs. Falconer to the east room and see that she is made comfortable after our journey. The trunks will soon be here, and will have yours sent to you immediately" turning to lsa- bel, "and you had better lie down and rest before dinner"
 It was q large and beautiful room to 1.,hio oh Nfrc lal tn fin nished elegantly with every thing needful for 0 restful toilet. Tho furniture was of heavy walnut, and the drapcries of rich crimson terry gave a 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 GrantH she said to herself, as she stood before a large mirror and looked at her face. somewhat dusty and jaded with travelling, and gave herself sly pinch as she did so. "One week an unhappy retainer i'll Mime. Arnots train, with no prospect of Q home, but a corner ill Aunt Debby's crowded cot tagc, the next 0 wife and mother in this elegant house.
 "Why did you not tell mo you had @ daughtera" she asked, as MT. Falconcr np- peared two hours later. She had had re- ITcSuluS uup tluu was uTeSSeu TOT Qluucr. ''You did not ask me" he said ''remen- Der, you did not wish to skip any of the pages in your book of experience. Is 1t @ distasteful oncf'
 "Rather momcntous one, you must nd- mit," she replied, smiling, ito find myself a mother as well as U wife, on such short no- tice, but" and she looked in his face with earnest eyes, 'I will strive to prove myself worthy of the trust you have shown in mo- II 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 vividly.
 "Gracie is very like her mothcr," and he toyed absently with the charms on his watch-chan, and think you will find her very docile and easily managed" ''She reminds me of Lilly Stanford" re- piled Isabel, "and 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 Tc ! tell the truth her birth was the cause p1 1 her mothers death, and fear 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 l years, and have trusted the child to he, care entirely"
 ''She will naturally be little sensitive l about giving her up to the care ofanother, 1 said Isabel, thoughtfully.
 "Probably, and little fearful and jealou: l of you as o step mother to her charge, but | l leave it to your good sense, to be so kine and consideratc that this difficulty wll soon be overcome with mutual respect ani l goodwill re maining. Mrs. Montford Is al ! excellent christian woman, and has every claim on our consideration, and the fact O. her being my housekeepcr does not detrac | from her worth in the least" l "Surely have too lately been an employ' myself to feel any superiority to Mrs l Montford on that ground" said Isabel quickly.
 "And yet, Mrs. Falconcr, allow mo t,
 suggest that you keep that fact buried Ii l your own bosom" he spoke, earnestly
 "while despise s'sob above all things, an( would have you treat our dependents witt
 all kindness and courtesy; still there is n
 need for them or society at large, to knov that you were not born to position equa
 to that you now occupy; you may be trifl
 awkward at first in small matters, bu
 doubtless Mrs. Stanford will gladly pos
 you on society points; she is an expert il
 these things, though must confess hav
 paid little attention to them myself, as fash
 ions in etiquette change almost frequently
 as in bonnets."
 .'Ah, Mrs. Stanford!" and tho youn
 wife sighed deeply. II fear she will b
 too angry with mo to do me sisterly klnC
 ness"
 II think you arc distressing yourse
 without cause," said Mir. Falconer, kindl.
 Mf J? 1 1T