The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-04-18

sion of fine clothing the chief aim IN life. ~
81 do not" she answered emphatically
''TO be sure there is a certain pleasure in
selecting beautiful materials and having
them made up artistically and well, but in
the abstract, how foolish it seems to have a
dozen dresses, where two or three would
answer every purpose"
Looking at things in the abstract, my
:ear there are great many queer things
i'll hfe-the unequal distribution of wealth
for instance. While you are signing over
the necessity of getting upa new costume
which you do not need, your poor neighbo1
may be shedding real tears of distress over
the lack of means to get the one dress Which
she does need pitifully, and so the world
goes. In the abstract, the 'all things in
common rule, practised in New Testament
lines, is the true one, but in actual expert
3uce, IN our time of hurry and greed, it
would produce worse muddle than we
have now.''
1.-THE requirements of fashion are another
abstract nuisance" said Isabel, laughing
''1tseems such utter nonsense that ] must
put enough rich material to trim my poor
neighbours dress lavishly into a bungling,
unnecessary train. which serves no pur-
pose whatever except to get in the way and
trip upawkward gentlemen"
There is one fashionable folly which
hope my wife will never give up to-" he
said, gravely. II notice with pleasure that
you have not as yet appeared in public with
barred neck and arms"
She blushed rosily. "Pray do not think
Mr.. Falconer that could be so lost to all
sense of delicacy as to appear IN a pro.
miscuous crowd of people dressed in such {
manner. Iassure you blush for my sex
when see such exhibitions, and I believe
it is at the bottom of a great deal of the
laxness and immortality to be found in our
fashionable life.'
Il do not doubt it." he replied, heartily
II believe many scandal in high life may
be traced to this unwomanly folly for its
origin, and it ought never to be seen out
side of the slums or variety theaters
shamelessness is to be expected there"
Il am glad you agree with me,'' said
Isabel, 'and wish YOU would carry your
good taste q little farther, and tell me what
to purchase for this occasion"
'Since you speak of it, noticed piece of
velvet brocade in q delicate shade of
lavender gray, at Hoags, which l thought
at the time would make up beautifully"
"There, now, Dou are developlng unex-
pected traits" she said, laughing merrily
II had no idea that you were so much of a
man milliner.'
He retorted smilingly: "Let us go into a
partnership business; you to make matches,
l to d sign the wedding garments ~
A little kindergarten outfit had been pro-
cured for Oracle, and these were placed in
Loitie's room, and many happy hours were
spent there blythe young teacher and her H.
tie pupil, who never wearied of the pretty
,contrivances by which she was learning the
rudiments of more advanced study. .
Lottie had become much attached to the
little girl, and her affection was fully re-
ciprocated by the affectionate child, who de-
lighted in waiting upon her and taking the
steps which still caused Lottie such pain
and weariness.
They were engaged with the simple les
sons when Isabel returned from her ride,
and Oracle was bending over her little
desk engaged in a problem in addition
wrought by means of pegs stuck in the
holes of gaily painted board.
What studious pair we are" said
Isabel, coming in with ruddy checks from
the bracing October air
mamma, there has been man in our
room while you were gone" SAID Oracle,
looking up from her work gleefully; the
NOME room was SPOKEN OF as our room De-
cause each felt an ownership in it,
"a mani" replied Isabel, in some sur
prise; "what an unheard-of proceeding"
"You had better investigate the matter,'
said Lottie, demurely, and Isabel, in obe-
dience to the hint, rose and went in at once
Mr. Falconer was there before her, and
hanging upon the wall in the best light the
room afforded was a picture, theexact coun-
terpart of the one chosen for Ra.ph and
Lilly, and the first offering which had been
made to the home shrine since it had been
established.