The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-01-31

MARK ANTONY'S WIDOW.

mark Antony's widow" said Mrs.
Melthorpe, sharply. Again! Didn't I
desire you to tell her yesterday, when
she called, that was particularly en-
gaged:"
Hyacinth Melthorpe hesitated. She
was tall, angular girl of Is. with feet
and hands pitifully in her way, and big.
frightened eyes, like those of hare dis
turbed in its woodland haunts.
Mamma, she ventured, "won't you
see her? She is very pretty and young,
and she looks SO dreadfully tired"
mo, 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. II am going down to my
brother-in-law Harpers, with Norine,
and have no time to spare for poor re-
lations."
"Oh, mamma, hush! She will hear
you'll"
"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 Gorgon glance which nearly
froZe her to stone. st
"Be silent, miss!" said she. lis it for
a slip of a thing like you to contradict
me and lay down the law? Tell Mark
Autony's widow to go about her bust
nessr'
At this moment, however, Hyacinth
was reinforced by slight, fair haired
little woman in very plain black gown,
who valiantly presented herself on the
scene.
"Do not blame Hyacinth, Mrs. Mel
thorpe" said she. II called to see you
because 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
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 wax doll sort Of
fashion," thought Norine, who herself
was q sort of Junonian belle-large, Ian
guild and pink checked.
EYES," said Mrs. Melthorpe. But if
oil 70 My-r
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"
"Humphe' said Mrs. Melthorpe. "lf
you expect, madame, to 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 floor.
eff you will read the newspapers"
said she, "you will perceive that there
are plenty of situations as companions,
stenographers. amanuenses. and so on,
to be had"
But
Again Mrs. Melthorpe struck in:
Cor would recommend you to study
telegraphy, or purchase a typewriter
and practice diligently upon it. Any
thing would be preferable to becoming
burden upon your friends. Good morn
ingr'
Mrs. Mark Antony withdrew silently.
Norine Melthorpe tossed her head; Hya-
cinth burst into tears.
"Goosey." cried Norine. what are
you sobbing about"
'Oh. it was too cruel" 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 her
place! Let her 60 to work.
'But she never was brought up to do
anything. She was rich when Uncle
Mark Antony married her. pleaded Hy-
acinth.
''She might have had few thousand
uOlldIS - " Wudt
Goldiland would have inherited; 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 can't even sew on
her own shoe buttors" protested truth
full Hyacinth.
How dare you argue with me, you
impertinent minxs' retorted Mrs. Mel
thorpe, putting down the Dresden statu-
cite and giving Hyacinth smart box on
the ear. Go down stairs and help
Bridget, at ONE; and don't you ever dare
again to dictate to mel"
So the packing went on, for although
Mrs. Melthrope had only written to her
wealthy brother-in-law that she would
spend few weeks at Harper castle, with
his permission. as dear Norine's health
was delicate, and Hyacintn, sweet child,
was growing great deal too fast, still
she had made up her mind to remain
there permanently, when once she had
obtained footing.
"And l wonder" thought indignant
Hyacinth, what mamma calls that but
pushing"
The Melthorpes went down by train
the next week but one, leaving the pack
ing boxes on storage and taking only
nine trunks, For Harper Castle vyaa nok