The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-04-04

Isabel held out her arms, nestled in her lap,
utting her arms confidingly about her
eek. "Would you like to go home with
Aunt Emily and be her little girl for q
Ime?"
The child looked from one to the other
oubtfully, and then at her aunt, who
waited her answer smilingly.
"If you please, papa, Iwould rather stay
with you and mamma" she answered, pat
ing Isabel's cheek with her little white
land.
$50 you shall, DEAR" said Mr. Falconer,
satisfied tone; he had little doubt of
er reply when he put the question.
"Don't you remember what lovely time
nu had when you were there last year"
aid Mrs. Stanford, coaXingly; "the rides
/ Central Park, and all the other nice
hings you enjoyed so much?"
"Yes, auntie,' replied the child, readily,
''but didn't have mamma then"
Mrs. Stanford bit her lip in annoyance
What was the charm about this plain, un-
Ssuming woman which brought her such
I'VE and respect? she asked herself impa-
iently, and the answer would have been
apparent had she not been SO blinded by
pride and prejudice that she would not src
''Shall we spend the evening in the
home room?" said Isabel to ner nuspa
nauiringly. Mrs. Stanford had stepped
,ut upon small balcony, ostensibly to look
It stand of flowers there, really to re-
over from her veXation, which her native
good sense told her was unladylilze and un-
called for.
"No." he replied, decidedly, "not until
rur family wheels have an application
# the oil of kindness and love-" and he
oolzed Significantly at the form on the bal
,ony; tive want no jarring or discordance
there"
SIS there any thing l can say or do Mr..
Falconer?' in low, panied voice.
''No, my dear wife," he had never called
her that before, and she looked up at him
gratefully "Only be patient and natural.
emily is not showing her better self, and
IN sure little patience and forbearance
vii bring it out all right"
Mrs. Stan ford, even then, was struggling
with herself, having the grace to be ashamed
If her petulance. 81 know l should love
Ter with the rest" she said to herself, "it
she had been one of our own rank in
society, but" and that little "but' was
enough to embitter all her thoughts.
Mrs. Stanford had two sides to her char
lcter, one selfish and worldly side, with
would say or do, the other a charmingly
friendly and kindly one, which few could
resist. This better self was struggling for
ore-eminence, as she absently looked into
he depths of pure Gala lily.
"Oh, papa, let's ride out to Paramount
his evening"" said Oracle, as Mrs. Stan
ford came rustling in with happier shade
upon her hands me face. "Auntie has not
seen the new statuary."
True, my little girl, that is happy sug
gestion," said Mr.. Falconer, ''if auntie
would like to CO."
sit would certainly be a very pleasant
way of spending the evening"" said Mrs
Stanford, graciously; she had senslbly de
ermined that there should be no more fric
ion for that evening at least, and Mr.. Fal
coner went at once to order the horses.
The cool evening air, after the heat of the
day, and the beauty of the drive insenslbly
calmed Mrs. Stauford's ruffled feelings and
brought out her better self, and she was
particularly chatty and agreeable, to Isa
oels relief, who responded at once to hei
mood
Oracle delighted in riding, and expressed
he happiness of her little heart by flow Of
-hildish conversation as she nestled close
" Isabel's side, laying her cheek lovingly
tgainst the soft velvet and chenille OF hel
wrap, and occasionally looking in her face
With smile of satisfaction.
Mrs. Stanford was not slow to observe
hese signs of affection, and, happily, she
vas inspired by them to desire to do hel
orother's wife justice at least, II Ae here.
The next morning she arose with de
termination to be kind toward the younS
hostess, and she succeeded so well that SHE
was unexpectedly agreeable. She was sit
ting in the drswing-room when Isabel en-
tered from visit to Mrs. Montford's room
That good woman had OWNED the state O.
fairs intuitively, and her sympathles wer,
With this young wife, ana she could nat re
'ist the temptation of saying, with q sig
nifcant nod:
Don't you let her browbeat you enc par
ricle, Mrs. Falconer,n and Isabel had re
piled smilingly, with little pat Of the goot
| womans motherly shCplderI iinanit b,
alarmed, Mrs. Montford, on my account
"Gracie tells me you have been havin.
some new dresses made" Mrs, STANFORD
vas saying, pleasantly. II must confess t,
4 weakness for liking to see pretty cos
tumes," and, in obedience to the hint, Isa
bel led the way to her room, and the re