The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-01-24

soned Mrs. MelthOrpG. that Artemis
WAS going to marry rich, I should have
treated her very differently those years
that she lived at home with RE. But
Melthorpe said there was no reason she
shouldn't earn her living, and save us
the extra expense of q lady's maitland,
OF course, all that is bygone now, and
If we play our cards well, we can have a
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 its two coachmen in black
livery, was waiting at the station.
Norine entered it, more like royal Juno
than ever. Mrs. Meithorpe hustled
after her, and Hyacinth seated herself
timidly at the back of the carriage.
"7his is something like" said Norine,
languidly exultant. Mamma, we've
been grubs all our lives, nop we are
commencing to be butterflies. must
say, like to feel my wings"
And Hyacinth was silent.
Colonel 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 eyeglasses.
Norine kissed him effusively. Mrs.
MelthOrpe squeezed his hand. Hyacinth
shrank back, scarcely daring to appro-
pirate any of the welcome to herself.
pray walk in," said the Colonel.
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 Colonel Harper, ushering
them into stately drawing-room. II
do not know that my affairs particularly
affect the rest of the family, hut had
decided to let you know of my second
marriage"
Mrs. Melthorpe gave gasp. Norine
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. 1.-THE Lady who has hon.
ored me by intrusting her future to my
care is 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
draSeries), 81 wish to introduce to you
my late wife's sister and her daughters.
Mrs. Melthorpe-young ladies-this is
Mrs. Harper"
''Whyr' cried out Hyacinth, in her
impulsive fashion, sit is Uncle Mark
widowr'
Mrs. Melthorpe had Redeemed as If
boiling carmine paint had been poured
through all her veins. Norine grasped
at her lace neckfrills as if she found
difficulty in breathing. Mrs. Harper
greeted them with certain calm gra-
like a queen receiving her
subjects.
81 tried to tell you about it that day
in the 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. / could not get chance to
a friend of mine in the old days before
Mark Antony, and before he
was betrothed to Miss Artemis May
wood"
Mrs. Melthorpe 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 a plea for Hyacinth to remain at
the castle.
''She was the only one who spoke
kindly to me-" said sine. ''Without in
tending to be an eavesdropper. heard
her begging for quarter for me. That it
was cavalierly refused was no faul. of
hers. You will stay with me, dear little
Hyacinth?"
aft mamma does not object" said
Hyacinth, secretly wondering if the
world was not coming to an end.
Mamma did not object in the least.
It 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, Il can't |
maginer
Perhaps all this was lesson to Mrs. |
perhaps not. There are |
some people who will never learn much |
N the school of that grim old peda- |
yogua, experience!-AmyR Randolph, in |
n. Y. Ledger.