Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-04-01


the next week but ono, leaving the
packing-boxes on storage, and taking
only nine trunks. For Harper Castle
was not many miles from Saratoga, and
Mrs. Melthorpe intended that "dear
Norine' should have the benefit Of the
fashionable season. .----
albert Harper is as rich as Cr9sus,"
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 sister. "f 1 had supposed" rea-
soned Mrs. Melthorpe, that Artemis
was going to marry rich, 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 expense of lady's maitland,
of course, all that is a bygone now, and
if we play our cards we'll, we can have
home at Harper Castle for the rest of
our lives!"
The elegant open landau with its deep
bay horses glittering with gold-plated
harness, and it's 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.
"7Ais is something like" said Norine,
languidly exultant. Mamma, we've
been ~grubs all our lives, noc we are
commencing to be butterflies. Unjust
say, like to feel my WINGS
And Hyacinth was silent.
Colonel Harper met them at the door
"a superb arched portal beneath row
Of Corinthian columns. He was hand
some, middle-aged gentleman, his hair
just sprinkled with gray, his keen, dark
eyes sparkling through eyeglasses.
Norine kissed him effusively. Mrs.
Melthorpe squeezed his hand. Hyactnth
shrank back, scarcely daring to appro-
pirate any Of the welcome to herself.
'Pray walk in said the Colonel. I
was just considering the propriety of
writing to you, when l received the let
ter announcing your speedy visit"
MY dear Albert! OF writing to us?"
Eyes" said Colonel Harper, ushering
them into a stately drawing-room. 81
do not know that my affairs particularly
affect the rest of the family, but had
decided to let you know of my second
marriage"
Mrs Melthorpe gave a gasp. Norine
looked appalled,. No thunderbolt could
have taken them more by surprise.
''Artemis has been dead a year now"
went on the Colonel, in cool. business
like accents. THE lady who has hon
ored me by intrusting her future to my
caro- is a connection of this family.
Evelyn, my dear" (beckoning to slight
figure which up to this time had fingered
among the shadows of the bay-window
iraperies). II wish to introduce to you
my late wife's sister and her daughters
Mrs. Mclthorpc-young ladies-this is
Mrs. Harper"
"Why"' cried out Hyacinth. in her
impulsive fashion. 1T is Uncle Mark
Antony's widow
Mrs. Mclthorpe had reddened as if
boiling carmine paint had been poured
through all her veins Norine grasped
At hor loco nprtf-ills as if she found
difficulty in breathing. Mrs. Harper
greeted them with Il certain calm gra-
ciousness. like a queen receiving her
subjects.
Il tried to tell you about it that day
IN tho city, said she. Il 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 a typewriter. or something of
that kind. l could not get n chance to
explain to you that Colonel Harper was
friend of mine in the old days before l
married Mark Antony. and before he
was betrothcd to Miss Artemis May
wood
Mrs. Melthorpc and Miss Norine re-
turned to New York in the evening
train. After all that was come and
gone they deemed it best speedily to re-
tire from the field. But Mrs. Harper
put in plea for Hyacinth to remain at
the castle.
''She was the only one who spoke
kindly to me-" said she. without in
tending to be an eavesdropper. I heard
her begging for quarter for me. That it
was cavalierly refused was no fault of
hers. You will stay with me, dear little
Hyacinth?"
"1f mamma does not object" said
Hyacinth, secretly wondering if the
world was not coming to an end
Mamma did not object in the least.
1t was something to have that tall, awk-
ward schoolgirl provided for, she
thought.
But what Colonel Harper could have
seen to fancy in Mark Antony's widow"
said she afterwards to Norine, 81 can't
imagine!'
Perhaps all this was lesson to Mrs.
Melthorpe; perhaps not. There are
some people who will never learn much
in tho school of that grim old peda-
gogue, experience!-AmyR Randolph, in
N. Y. Ledger.
Poets Thought Cushi i.
A well-known literary woman of Bos-