Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-10-31

The curtains hanging over the entrance to
the library were opened for the second time.
With comp0sure and dignity the lady WHO
had startled Sydney entered the room.
Have you been reading in the nbrary?"
Mrs. Linley asked. And Mrs. Presty an
swered: mo, Catherine; have been listen
iUg." rs
Mrs. Linley looked at her mother; her
lovely complexion redeemed with deep
blush.
Introduce me to Miss Westerfield," Mrs.
Presty proceeded, as coolly as ever.
Mrs. Linley showed some hesitation. What
would the governess think Of her mother?
Perfectly careless of what the governess
might think. Mrs. Presty crossed the room
and introduced herself.
miss Westerfield, l am Mrs. Linley's
mother. And l am, in one respect, a remark
able person. When form an opinion, and
find it's the opinion of fool, am not in the
least ashamed to change my mind. l have
changed my mind about you. Shake hands. I"
Sydney respectfully Obeyed.
''Sft down again"
Sydney returned to her chair.
II had the worst possible opinion of you"
Mrs. Presty resumed, before had the pleas
ure OF listening on the other side of the cur
tain. 1t has been my good fortune-what's
your Christian name? Did hear ii, or have
/ forgotten it? Sydney eh? Very well.
was about to say, Sydney, that it has been
my good fortune to be intimately associated,
in early life, with twOremarkable characters.
Husbands Of mine, in short, whose influence
over me has, l am proud to say, set death
and burial at defiance. Between them they
have made my mind the mind of a man.
judge for myself. The opinions of others
(when they don't happen to agree with mine)
regard as chaff to be scattered to the winds.
No, Catherine, am not wandering. l am
pointing out to young person, who has her
way to make in the world, the vast imp0r-
lance, on certain occasions, of possessing an
independent mind. If had been ashamed
to listen behind those curtains there is no in
jury that my stupid prejudices might not
have inflicted on this unfortunate girl. AS
1t Is, have heard her story, and do her
Justice. Count on me, Sydney. as yOul
friendAand now get up again. My grand.
child never accustomed to wait for anything
since the day when she was bornl. is waiting
dinner for you. She is at this moment shout
80 Ava hS4 6OsCAiiCoo - Ailte piCudIu " I'LL
a great reader of Shakspeare) once shouted
for his horse. The maid (you will recognize
her as . stout person suffering under tight
stays) is waiting outside to show you the
way to the nursery. Au revoir! Stop!
should like to judge of the purity of your
French accent Say 'au revoir' to me. Thank
you. Weak In her French, Catherine" Mrs
Presty pronounced, when the door had closed
on the gOveness; but what can you expect,
poor wretch, after such a life as she has led?
Now we are alone, have word of advice
for your private ear. We have much to an
ticipate from Miss Westerfield that is pleas
ant and encouraging. But don't conceal it
from myself or from you, we have also some
thing to fear?'
TO fearT' Mrs. Linley repeated. II don't
understand YOU"
Never mind, Catherine, whether you UNI
,derstand me or not l want more informa-
ton. Tell me. what your husband said to
yon about this young lady,"
wondering at the demon OF curiosity
which appeared to possess her mother, Mrs,
Linley obeyed. Listening throughout with
the closest attention, Mrs. Presty reckoned
up the items of information and pointed the
moral to be drawn from them by worldly ex.
perience
First obstacle in the way of her moral de-
Veiopment, her father-tricd, found guilty.
ana dying in prison. Second obstacle, her
Ano'ner-an unnatural wretch who neglected