The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-03-28

outWardly, thought lnWardly: Our home
indeed! a shop girl welcoming me to 'oul
home with such an air"
She could not deny to herself that, after
the awkwardness of the first meeting wore
off, the new mistress did the honors of the
household with graceful dignity, and she
found herself involuntarily adniring her as
she came down attired in an afternoon dress
of heavy silk, beautifully made, and worr
with an unconscious nochalance far re
moved from the dressed up'' parrer~ air
which Mrs. Stanford so heartily despised.
She had come with the benevolent inten
tion of giving her new relative numberless
lessons in department., but she hardly knew
where to commence and wisely concluded
to defer her instructions.
She watched every movement, fully
prepared to criticlse, though Isabel seemed
sefenely unconscious of the fact. A lady
called in the afternoon. Mr.. Falconer's
"At Home" cards had met few re
sponses, the most of the recipients being
out of town, but Mrs. Colonel De Ions
was an od-time friend of the Falconers
and had made it q point to call while on {
flying visit to the city.
She was the leader of a select circle o.
Philadelphia's best society, and upon hel
success.
She was, happily, one of the frank, open
hearted women whom society can nc
spoil, her heart remaining in a state o.
healthy development, in spite of the re
qurements Of fashionable life, and Isabe
recognized in her a congenlal spirit, anG
appeared at her best, to Mrs. Stanford
surprise, for she had looked to see he.
abashed in the presence of the stylisl
stranger.
~ do believe the girls effrontery vii
carry her through any thing" she COR
muned with herself, as the ladies chatte
easily on various topics; still she WE
secretly pleased, also, with the ability c
her new relative to acquit herself 81
crcditably in such q presence.
'You have reason to congratulate your
self on such a charming accession to you
family" sad Mrs. De Long, as Isabel eX
cused herself for q moment to bring book
of which they had beel speaking, from th
library. "Wc shall be delighted to wei
come her among u.s." and though Mrs. Stan
ford received the communication with a
sense CT relieved gratitude, she was still il
a tremor of anxiety lest it leak out in some
unlooked-for manner that she had been ont
Of the despised class, among certain class
of aristocrats, "a shop-grl."
"What dc you think of her?" Isabel had
gone to her room, and the brother and sister
were alone.
''Really, Harvey, she acouzd be an excep-
tionally fine woman if it were not-'' and
Mrs. Stanford stopped abruptly.
''For the terrible fact that she has once
earned her bread by the honest toll of he
hands, said Mr.. Falconer, finishing he
sentence with slightly sarcastic smile.
''Now see, my dear sister, how differently
you and Iview this question; in my eye,
this fact only strengthens my admiration fol
her, and shows me that she is woman of
resources and ability.'
''Yet you do not proclaim it publicly"
said Mrs. Stanford, a little irritably; $50
you see you are not consistent"
''You will admit, however, that the fac
did not influence tly choice" he repie
quietly; ''you are only one of large circ
who have this foolish prejudice agains
honest labor. The fact will be known
sooner or later, ofcourse, but prefer tha
lsaDel snail nave the opportunity to form
certain acqlaintances first, after which /
have no idea that the knowledge will harm
her in the least.n.
Mrs. Colonel De Long seemed charmc,
NtJu lSE tU-udy. Sdllt MIS- oldHIoIu3 II
Hectively, "and l must confess never sa'
any one who dropped more readily AM
easily into luxurious beongings.''
you will find that mere eXternals are
not ali there is commendable in Isabel
resumed Mr.. Falconer, with gratifiet
smile, land Mrs. De Long is just thl
woman to find these out, and with hel
'riendship-,'' but as the rustic of Isabelle
jress was heard on the staircase, no more
was said.
You have not inquired for Nine.
Arnot," said Mrs. Stanford, as Isabel wa
seated: Oracle was in Mrs. Montford'.
room, and the three were together; there
was a little malicious curiosity in the re
mark, to see how Isabel would take the
alluslon to her past life,
" | am not aware that have any desire
to hear from Nine. Arnot," she replied,
c0ldly; she recognized the covert fin
which sought to bring her former poverty
to her mind.
Why!" said Ilrs. Stanford, elevating
her eyebrows with Wellatfected surprise
" Because she is a selfish, cruel woman
replied Isabel, with more heat than she had
shown since she had become Mrs. Falconer
land because she has little power whlc
money gives her she rules her work-women
with rod of iron"
" What, that weak, pretty little woman?"
said Mrs. Stanford, incredulously.
THE very same" replied Isabel, wrath
fully. 'Rising from the most abject poverty
herself, she has no pity for others who are
poor, and grinds every ounce of work and
humiliation and self-respect out of her girls
that is possible. l should like to hear how
Lottie and Jennie and the other girls are,
but do not care to hear Of Nine. Arnot."
She was complaining bitterly of he
trials when | was in there last" said Mr.
Stanford, ignoring Isabels last remarl
= In the first place, you, who had alway
been her favorite, her ri ht-hand assistant
how much of that she put ON for my benet
l do not know Isabel's nose went u
scornfullyl had left her suddenly; Jenni
Dewey had gone soon after, and the glrlyoI
call Lottie was sick -"
sLottie sick, dear sweet little Lottie
sick" interrupted Isabel; ''did she say
what"
Her lameness, believe, which had be
come so painful that she could not gett,
and from her work"
Poor little girl She is the dearest an
sweetest little martyr that ever lived,
,ried Isabel, pitifully; SIT must be Il
ever sore has broken out again, and hC
parents are so poor they need every penn
she can earn" Tears stood in Isabel
eyes, and she was scornful no longer. ''Mi
stanford, won't you go and see her whe
you return"
''-He! well, that would be new role fo,
me to appear in,n replied the lady; ''prcba
uly she lives in some low filthy stree
really, my dear Mrs Falconer, that is as
ing too much, but ! Il tell the district vi
itors or send the servants if YOU wish"