, 1890-02-27
MARK ANTONYS WIDOW.

"Mark Antony's widoww said Mrs.
Aelthorpe, sharply. "Againi Didn't I
desire you to tell her yesterday, when
abe called, that I was particularly en-
gagedr'
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 a hare dis
turbed In it, woodland haunts.
Mamma, " shs vsntured "won't you
eco hort She Il very pretty and young,
and she looks 70 dreadfully tired"
mo, / won't" said Mrs. Melthorpe,
standing with . little Dresden statuette
In her hand, and considering whether Il
had better be packed In . trunk or car
ried by hand. II am going down to my
brother-in-law Harper's, with Norine,
and I have no time to spare for poor 70
lations."
"oh, mamma, hush She will hear
you'll"
Let her hear mi. 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-
deutia Goldiland, with her quarter Of .
million, for the asking"
Mamma, she Is your brothers
widow"
Mrs.. Nelthorpe fixed upon her young
ct born . 0orgon glance which nearly
froes her to stons.
''Bs silent, miai" said she. "Is II for
. slip Of . thing like you to contradict
me and lay down the lawl Tell Marx
Antony's widow to 60 about her busi-
nessF"
At this moment, however, Hyacinth
was reinforced by = slight, fair haired
little woman In . very plain black gown,
who valiantly presented herself on the
Gene.
do not blame Hyacinth, Mrs.. Mel
thorpe" said she. II called to 80 You
because I have Just returned from q
vidt to Harper 'castler@
Nm. Msithorpe stiRened visibly. Hya-
cinth looked appalled,. Even Norins,
the beauty Of the family. who lay like .
sultana among her cushions and drank
chocolate, reused herself into somsthina
like attention, lifting her big. deerlike
eye to the blushing lace of the new
conner.
"She Is pretty, In a wax doll sort Of
fashion," thought Norine, who herself
was . sort Of Junonian belle-large, Ian
guild and pink checked.
YES" said Mrs. Melthorpe. "But II
you will allow me to mention 1t, Mrs..
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"
"Humphr' said Mrs. Melthorpe. "If
you expect. madame, to be adopted by
all Mark Antony's relations, ysu will
ind yourself considerably mistaken.
You arc young, and perhaps inexperi-
enced. Allow M to warn you that too
much pushing will not be tolerated by
the family"
Mrs.. Mark Antony haywood colorsd
to the very roots Of her golden fringe
Of hair; she would have spoken, but hes
sister-in-law kept the door.
IF you will read the newspapsrs,"
said she, "you will perceive that there
are plenty Of situations as companions,
stenographers, smanuenses, and 70 on,
to be had"
"But--
Again Mrs. Melthorpe struck In:
"Or l would recommend you to study
telegraPhy, or purchase . typewriter
and practice diligently upon II. Any
thing would be preferable to becoming .
burden upon your frienda Good morn
mgr
Mrs. Mark Antony withdrew silently.
Norine Melthczpe tossed her head; Hya-
cinth burst into tears.
"Goosey," cried Norine, "what are
you sobbing about?"
"Oh, 1t was too cruel" faltered Hya-
cinth. you might at least have offered
her q cup Of your chocolate, Norine."
"Nonsense," said Norine. 1.-THE wo-
man has got to be taught to know her
placed Let her go 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
dollars = nothing to what Prudentia
Goldiland would have inherited; but It
il 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 buttons~ protested truth
full Hyacinth.
How dare you argue with me, you
impairment minxr' retorted Mrs. Mel
thorpe, putting down the Dresden statu-
ette and giving Hyacinth asmazt boz on
the ear. go down stairs and help
Bridget. II once; and don't you ever dare
again to dictate to mel"
30 the packing went on, for although
Ma helthrops bad only written to hen
wsalthy hro<herstn-law that shs would
pend . few wells At Haxpsr castle, with
hs psrmiss;ou. ~ dear Norins's health