Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-01
MISS MARSHALL.
a new poarder!

A ripple of interest went down the long
table and came back on the other side.
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to intro
duce Miss Julia Marshall" said motherly
Mrs. Lane, up at the head of the table The
new conner bowed via great composure and
the other boarders acknowledged the intro
duction, each in his own peculiar manner.
Then the slender, black robed figure slipped
into its appointed place, and was politely I'M
conscious of the curious glances that followed
its motion.
"What did you say was the name? Mar
shallfm
Eyes, Miss Marshall Wonder who she's
in mourning for"
''Her mother probably. Rather good look
ing"
mo, no; too pale" The speaker was
young Mrs Bernard, who certainly could
not be objected to on the same ground. ga
great many women affect that style because
it makes them look interesting I can't en-
dure it myself"
81 should think not indeed" returned sar
castle Mrs. Palmer, with genial emphasis.
"Aafectation of any kind is always unpleasant
TO Unaffected people"
''Such a pity!' drawled little Mrs. May,
the boarding house beauty, toying with her
toast and casting an indignant glance at the
young lady in black "We were all getting
along SO nicely together, quite like family,
and am positively sure that we shall not
like herr
"a little more tea, if you please, ma'am,"
said Miss Marshall, in low, clear tones-and
ell the critics started as though they had
been overheard.
As for the gentlemen, they had nothing to
say. In the first place, there was breakfast
to be disposed of, and no trivial affair could
interfere with that. Moreover, they had all
glanced at the young lady more than once,
and had found her not disagreeable to look
at 1t was, therefore, not in the nature of
things that they should pronounce Judgment
at once, so they were discreetly silent; and
when the breakfast was concluded they went
off to their several places of business and left
the ladies to settle the affair as pleased them
best.
Miss Marshall, indeed! One solitary girl in
a house full of married womenl And they
were all women whose husbands carried the
family burdens, while they themselves toiled
not, neither did they spin. They crocheted,
however and embroidered, and did arasens
and kensington stitch, and painted on satin
and on velvet and plush and china, and when
ever they assembled for all these things they
canvassed the appearance and conduct Of
Miss Marshall
Rather singular, isn't it, her boarding
here all alonei" asked Mrs Bernard when the
congress had assembled for business on that
first morning.
Especially since she is young and good
loohing,n added irs. Palmer, much absorbed
in her crochet.
"Youngl" cried Mrs Demands voice out
of the chorus of disapproval, and 'Good look
ing!n screamed Mrs May, dropping her work
in establishment
We'll, since she Is neither young nor good
looking perhaps she can take care of herself
said Mrs. Palmer, who was always making
everything uncomfortable, and dead silence
fell, during which every woman attended de-
voutly to her work.
That Miss Marshall is q wonderfully pretty
girl" said Mr.. May-who was nothing if not
obtuse-that day at dinner, after Miss Mar
shall had left the table.
"Va-a-ryIn remarked Mr. Bernard, who
affected the English.
These remarks practically sealed Miss Mar
shsll's fate, 50 far as this particular boarding
house was concerned.
She was quiet, unobtrusive girl, but she
could not always escape the sharp eyes and
sharper tongues Of the ladies who had set
themselves on her track To tell the truth.
she did not care to elude them. So, when the
feminine coterie wayiaid her IN the parlor,
and Mrs May implored her 70 remain in the
room and to keep on playing, she yielded,
and played 50 sweetly that the gentlemen
came to the parlor too, and were viSbly en-
chsnted
''Oh, that is lovely, Miss Marshall cried
Mrs. Msy with enthusiasm you must come
down among Us often 1t is SO seldom one
has an opportunity 10 hear any really good
music. OF course, several Of Us play, but we
are only amateurs"
Ali and there arc grades even in amateur
music, replied Miss ! rshau. in that low,
calm voice Of hers, snd Mrs May, whose play
ing was notably bsi, shrsnk back and forgot
what she intended TO say.
1t was Mrs. Bernard who made the next
attack Personally MIS- Bernard was obnox-
ious TO Miss Marshall, as any woman with af-
fscted manners and A ARTIFICIAL ccucisxiaa