Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-10-24

was mystery which puzzled her nearest and
dearest friends. And why, wien She indulg-
ed "a little too frequently in recollections Of
her married life, she persisted i'll putting OBJ
scure Mr.. Presty on level with distinguish
ed Mr.. Ornund. was Il secret which this re-
markable woman had never been known TO
reveal. Presented by their widow with the
strictest imnartiality 10 the geISral view, the
characters Of these two husbands combined,
by force of contrast. the ideal of manly per-
lection. That is 10 say, the vices of Mr.. Or
mOnd We're the virtues of Mr.. l'resty, and the
vices of Mr.. Presty were tie virtues Of Mr..
( Ormond.
Returning TO the sitting-room after bidding
Kitty goodnight, Mrs. Linley discovered the
Old lady asleep,and saw that TIE book on her
mothers lap was sliding off, Before she
could check the downward movement the
book fell on the floor, and Mrs. Presty woke.
'Oh, mamma, am 50 sorry. | was Just
too late to catch it."
1T doesn't matter, my dear. l dare say I
Should go to sleep again if went ON with
my novel"
rs it really as dull as that%'
'Dull?" Mrs Presty repeated. You are
evidently not aware of what the new school
OF novel-writing is doing. The new school
provides the public with soothing fiction"
Are you speaking seriously, mamma?'
Seriously, Catherine-and gratefully.
These new writers are so good to old wO-
men. No story to excite our poor nerves; no
| improper characters to cheat us out OF our
| sympathies; no dramatic situations to fright
en- US; exquisite management of details las
the reviews say, and a mastery anatomy OF
human motives which, know what mean,
| my dear, but can't explain it,
Il think understand, mamma. A mas
terly anatomy Of human motives which is in
itself a motive of human sleep. No; won't
borrow your novel just now. don't want
to go to sleep; am thinking of Herbert in
London"
Mrs. Presty consulted her watch.
'YOur husband Is no longer in London"
she announced; 'he has begun his journey
home. Give me the railway guide and LII
tell you when he'll be here tomorrow. You
may trust me, Catherine, TO make no mis-
take. Mr.. Presty's wonderful knowledge Of
figures has been of the greatest use to me in
later life. Thanks TO his instructions, am
the only person in the house who can Crap
pie with the intricacies of our railway sys-
TEN. Your poor father, Mr. Ormond, never
could understand timetables, and never at
tempted to conceal his deficiencies. lie had
| AiohC VA shO vanity VANITY, ptl-
haps) which led poor Mr.. Presty to express
positive opinions on matters OF which he
knew nothing, such as pictures and music.
| What do you want Malcom?'
| The servant to whom this question was adj
dressed answered: "A telegram, ma am, for
the mistress"
Mrs. Linley recOiled from the message
when the man offered it to her. Not usually
very demOnStrative person, the feeling of
alarm which mad seized on her only express.
ed itself in a sudden change of color. AN
accidentr' she said, family. IAN accident
ON the railway.'
Mrs. Presty opened the telegram.
"If you had been the wife of cabinet
minister" she said to her daughter, "you
would have been too well used to kilograms
to let them frighten you. Mr.. PreSty (whO
received his kilograms at his office was not
quite just to the memory of my first husband.
He used to blame Mr.. Ormond for letting me
see his kilograms. But Mr. Presty's nature
had all the poetry in which Mr.. OrmOnd's
nature was deficient lie saw the angelic
SIDE of wonderland thought kilograms and
business, and all that sort of thing, unworthy
of our mission. don't exactly understand
what our mission is"
Mamma! mamma! is Herbert hurt?'
stuff and nonsense! Nobody is hurt;
there has been no accident"
"Then why does he telegraph to me?'
Hitherto, Mrs. Presty had only looked at
the message. She now read it through at
tentively to the end Her face assumed an
expression of stem distruSt. She shook her
head.
"Read it YOURSELF she answered, land re-
member what told you when you trusted
your husband to find governess for my
grandchid. / said: 'You don't know men
as do, hope you may not live to repent
it,"
Mrs. Linley was too fond of her husband
to let this pass. why shouldn't trust him?"
She asked. HE was going to London ON
DusinesS-and it was an excellent Opp0r-
tunity."
Mrs. PreSty disposed of this weak defense
OF her daughters conduct by waving her
hand. Read your telegram" she repeated,
with dignity. land judge for yourself"
Mrs Linley read:
Il have engaged a governess She will
travei IN the same train with Inc. l think
ought to prepare you to receive person
whom you may be surprised to see. She Is
very young, and very inexperienced; quite
| unlike the ordinary run of gOverneSSeS
When you hear how cruelty the poor girl has
oe ;en US, used am sure you will sympathize
Mrs. Linley laid down the message with
smile.
Poor, dear Herbertv' she said, tenderly.
AFTER we have been eight years married, Is
he really afraid that l shall be jealous? Mann
ma! Why are you looking SO seriOus?'
Mrs. Presty took the telegram from her
daughter and read extracts from 1t with in.
dignant emphasis Of voice and manner.
Travels in the same train with him. Very
young and inexperienced. And he sympa-
thizes with her. Hal know the men, Cath
erine-I know the menv
To be Continued