The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-31

inc elegant open landau with it's decD
bay horses gIittering with gold plated
harness, and its two coachnen in black
livery. was waiting at tho. station
N0rinc entered it, more like royal Juno
than ever Mrs. Melthorpc hustled after
her. and Hyacinth seated herself iimidls
at the back Of the carriage,
"This is something Ike" ,aid Norinc,
languidly exnl,ant. Mamma. we've
been grubs all our lives, now we are COM
mcncing to be butterflies. must sag, I
like 10 feel my wings"
And Hyacinth was silent
Col 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 eve glasses
Norinc kissed him eGusivelV Mrs Mel
thorpe squeezed hia hand. nyacinth
shranh back, scarcely daring TO appro-
pirate any Of the welcome to herself.
pray walk in" said the colonel. 81
was just considering 'he piopnety Of
writing 20 )ou when l received the let
ter announcing your speedy visit"
my dear Albert OF writing 10 usg'
Eyes" said Col. Harper, ushering
them into stately drawing room. Il
do not know that my affairs particularly
affect the rest of the family; but / had
decided TO iet YOU know Of my second
marriage"
Mrs. Melthrope gave a gasp Norine
looked appalled,. No thunderbolt could
have taken them more by surprise
"Artemis has been dead a year now"
went Of Tie colonel, in cool, business
like accents. "The lady who has hon
ored me by intrusting her future TO my
care is q connection Of this family. Eve
Ign, my dear, (beckoning to slight
figure which up to this time had lingefud
among the shadows of the bay window
drareriosl Il wish TO introduce You to
my late wife's sister and her daughters.
Mrs. Melthrope-young ladies-this is
Mrs. Harper"
why cried cut lIyacinth, in her i'm
pulsive fashion, lit is Uncle Mark Anto-
ny's widow
Mrs Melthorpe had REDEEMED rs il boil
ing carmine paint had leen poured
through all her veins Nofine grasped
at her lace neck fnlls as if she found
difficulty in breathing Mas, Harper
greeted them with certain calm ora
'ciousness, like q queen receiving her sub
iects.
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 typewriter, or something Of that
kind. l could not get chance to ok
plain 10 you that Col Harper was
friend Of mine in the old days before
married Mark Antony. and before he
was betrothcd 10 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 retire from
the field But Mrs Harper put in a 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 eavcsdropper, 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:"
'1f mamma does not object" said lIy-
acinth, secretly wondering if the world
was coming to an end.
Mamma did not object in the least
It was something to have that tall, awk.
ward school girl provided for, she
thought.
"But what Col. Harper could have
seen 20 fancy in Mark Antony's widow"
said she afterwards to Norine Il can't
imaginew
Perhaps ali this was a lesson to Mrs.
Methorpc; 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.