The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-31
MARK ANTONY'S WIDOW.


Melihorpe, sharply. Again, Didn't l
desire you to tell her yesterday, when
she called, that l was particularly en-
gagedg"
Hyacinlh Melthorpe hesitated. She
was a tall, angular girl Of 10, with feet
and hands pitifuily in her way, and big,
frightened eyes, like those Of hare dis
turbed in its woodland haunls.
Mamma, she venlurcd, won't YOU
see herr She is very pretty and young,
and she looks so dreadfully tired"
"No, / won't" said Mrs Melthorpe,
standing with little Dresden statuette
in her hand, and considering whether it
had better be packed in a trunk or car
ried by hand Il am going down to my
brother-in-law Harpers, with Norine,
and have no time TO spare for poor re-
lations."
ooh, mamma, hush She will hear
you,"
Let her hear me. The truth never
yet did anybody any harm. Mark
Anthony would marry her, in spite Of
all Of us, when he might have had Pru-
dentia Goldiland, with her quarter Of a
million, for the asking"
Mamma, she is your brothers
widow"
Mrs. Melthorpe fixed upon her young
est born a Gorgon glance which nearly
froze her 70 stone.
"Be silent, miss!" said she. "Is it for
a slip Of q thing like you to contradict
me and lay down the law; Tell Mark
Antony's widow to go about her bust
nessl"
At this moment, however, Hyacinth
was reinforced by a slight, fair haired
little woman in a very plain black gown
who valiantly presented herself on the
scene.
"Do not blame Hyacinth, Mrs. Mel
thorpe" said she. Il called to see you
because l have just returned from a
visit to Harper castle
Mrs. Melthorpe stiffened visibly. Hya-
cinth looked appalled,. Even Norine
the beauty of the family, who lay like a
sultana among her cushions and drank
chocolate, reused herself into something
like attention, lifting her big. deerlike
eyes to the blushing face Of the new
conner.
"She is pretty, in n wax doll sort Of
fashion," thought Norine, who herself
was a sort Of Junonian belle-large, Ian
guild and pink checked.
Eyes, said Mrs. Melthorpe. "But if
YOU will allow me 20 mention it, Mrs
Mark Antony, it was hardly the thing
for you to besiege my poor dear brother
in-law-even at his own house"
"His wife was Mark Antony's sister. 3"
"Humph~ said Mrs. Mclthorpe. IF
you expect, madame, 20 be adopted by
all Mark Antony's relations, you will
find yourself considerably mistaken.
You are young, and perhaps inexperi-
enced Allow me to warn you that too
much pushing will not be tolerated by
the family
Mrs. Mark Antony haywood colored
to the very roots Of her golden fringe
Of hair; she would have spoken, but her
sister-in-law kept the foor.
IF You will read the newspapers,
said she, "you will perceive that there
are plenty Of situations as companions,
stenographers, amanuenses, and 50 on,
TO be had.
But
Again Mrs. Melthorpe struck in:
cor l would recommend you 10 study
telegraphy, or purchase a typewriter
and practice diligently upon it. Any
thing would be preferable to becoming a
burden upon your friends Good morn
ingl"
Mrs. Mark Antony withdrew silently.
Norine Melthorpe tossed her head; Hya-
cinth burst into tears.
"Goosey," cried Norine, "what are
you sobbing about"
ooh, it was too cruel, p" faltered Hya
cinth. "You might at least have offered
her a cup of your chocolate, Norine."
Nonsense" said Norine. "The wo
man has got to be taught to know hei
placel Let her go to work.
"But she never was brought up to dc
ANYTHING. She was rich when Uncle
Mark Antony married her, pleaded Hy-
acinth.
"She might have lad few thousand
dollars - nothing to what Prudentia
Goldiland would have inheriteds but it
is no fault Of ours that Mark Antony
gambled them all away. Her mother
should have brought her up differently
Mamma, it's just the way you have
educated Norine. She cant even sew on
her own shoe buttons!' protested truth.
full Hyacinth.
~How dare you argue with me, you
trnu~-t:nent mink retorted Mrs. Mel
thorpe, putting down the Dresden statu-
cite and giving Hyacinth asmart box on
the ear. 500 down stairs and help
Bridget. at once; and don'tyou ever dare
again to dictate to me!'
SO the packing went on, for although
Mrs. Melthrope had only written 10 her
wealthy brother -in-law that she would
spend few weeks at Harper castle, will
his permission. as dear Norine.s health
:. as uencaJe, ana Hyacintn, sweet N'i'u,
was growing a great deal too fast stili
she had made up her mind to remain
there permanently, when once she had
obtained footing.
"And l wonder" thought indignant
uvacinth, "what mamma calls that but
pushing"
The Melthorpes went down by train
he next week but one, leaving the pack
ng boxes on storage and taking only
nine trunks. For Harper Castle was not
many miles from Saratoga, ana mrs.
Helthorpe intended that dear Norlne
,bould have the benefit Of the fashion
1ble season. ,
albert Harper is as rich as Cresus'
thought the maneuvering mother land
here's no reason that some Of the money
lhouldn't be spent on his niecesl
She had not seen much Of the harpers'
II Harper Castle, Of late years, because
here had been no very particular warmth
Il affection between herself ana her SIS
er "If | had supposed" reasoned Mrs.