The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-01-31


thought the maneuvering mother, land
there's no reason that some of the money
shouldn't be spent on his nieces!'
She had not seen much of the Harpers.
of Harper Castle. of late years, because
there had been no very particular warmth
of affection between herself and her sis
ter. "If had supposed" reasoned Mrs.
Melthorpe that Artenlis was going to
marry ricL l should have treated her
very differently those years that she
lived at home with me. But Melthorpe
said there was no reason she shouldn't
earn her living and save us the extra ex-
pense of ladys maid, and of course all
that is bygone now, and if we play our
cards well we can have a home at Har-
per Castle for the rest of our lives"
The elegant open landau with its deep
bay horses glittering with gold plated
harness, and its two coachmen in black
livery, was waiting at the station.
Norine entered it, more like royal Juno
than ever. Mrs. Melthorpe hustled after
her. and Hyacinth seated herself timidly
at the back of the carriage.
''This is something like" said Norine,
Aoh6 uAoiS CAuitoHe. hdAlid, we We
been grubs all our lives, now we are COM
mencing to be butterflies. must say,
like to feel my wings"
And Hyacinth was silent.
Col. Harper met them at the door-a
superb arched portal beneath a row of
Corinthian columns. He was a hand
some, middle aged gentleman. his hair
just sprinkled with gray, his keen. dark
eyes sparkling through eye glasses.
Norine kissed him efAusively Mrs. Mel
thorpe squeezed his hand. Hyacinth
shrank back, scarcely daring to appro-
pirate any of the welcome to herself.
pray walk in" said the colonel II
was just considering the propriety of
writing to you when received the let
ter announcing your speedy visit"
"My dear Albert! OF writing to us?'
EYES," said Col. Harper, ushering
them into a stately drawing room. II
do not know that my affairs particularly
affect the rest Of the family, but had
decided to let you know of my second
marriage"
looked appalled,. No thunderbolt could
have taken them more by surprise.
'Artemis has been dead year now,"
went on the colonel, in cool, business
like accents. THE lady who has hon.
ored me by intrusting her future to my
care is a connection of this family. Eve
Ign, my DEAR" (beckoning to a slight
figure which up to this time had fingered
among the shadows of the bay window
draperies), II wish to introduce you to
my late wife's sister and her daughters
Mrs. Melthrope-young ladies-this is
Mrs. Harper"
r 'tWhy!' cried out Hyacinth, in her inn
pulsive fashion, sit is Uncle Mark Anto-
ny's widow
Mrs. Melthorpe had Redeemed as if boil
ing carmine paint had been poured
through all her veins. Norine grasped
at her lace neck frills as if she found
difficulty in breathing. Mrs. Harper
greeted them with certain calm gra-
ciousness, like queen receiving her sub
jects.
II tried to tell you about it that day in
the city," said she. 81 should have
liked to ask you to our quiet wedding;
but you declined to hear me out. You
desired me to read the newspapers, or to
buy typewriter, or something of that
kind. I could not get chance to ex-
plain to you that Col. Harper was a
friend of mine in the old days before /
married Mark Antony, and before he
was betrothed to Miss Artemis May
wood"
Mrs. Melthorpe and Miss Norine re-
f,,rpod fc Noxu Vnrlr IN tho fr,;v,
After all that was come and gone they
deemed it best speedily to retire from
the field. But Mrs. Harper put in plea
for Hyacinth to remain at the castle
''She was the only one who spoke kind
ly to me-" said she. without intend
ing to be an eavesdropper, heard her
begging for quarter for me. That it was
cavalierly refused was no fault of hers.
You will stay with me, dear little Hya-
cinth?"
eff mamma does not object" said Hy-
acinth, secretly wondering if the world
was coming to an end.
Mamma" did not object in the least.
1t was something to have that tall. awk-
ward school girl provided for. she
thought.
"But what Col. Harper could have
seen to fancy in Mark Antony's widow"
said she afterwards to Norine. "f can't
imagined"
Perhaps all this was lesson to Mrs.
,Melthorpe; perhaps not. There are
some people who will never learn much
in the school of that grim old pedagogue.
Experience!-Amy Randolph in New
York Ledger.