Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-04-01
MARK ANTONY'S WIDOW
The Lesson she Taught Mrs. Mel
thorpe and Daughter.

| desire you to tell her yesterday, when
she called that l was particularly en-
gagged?
| Hyacinth Melthorpe hesitated. She
| was tall, angular girl Of fifteen, with
| feet and hands pitifully in her way, and
| big, frightened eyes, like those OF a
hare disturbed in its woodland haunts.
Mamma" she vcntured won't you
see her? She is very pretty and young,
| and she looks so dreadfully tired"
mo l won't said Mrs. Melthorpe,
| standing with little Dresden statuette
in her hand, and considering whether it
had better be packed in trunk or car
ried by hand. Il am going down to my
brother-in-law Harper's with Norine,
and have no time to spare for poor re-
lations."
''Oh, mamma. hush. She will hear
your
Let her hear me. Tho truth never
| did anybody any harm. Mark Anthony
could marry her, in spite of all Of as,
| when he might have had Prudential
| Go1diland, with her quarter of million,
for the asking,
Mamma, she is your brothers wild
ow"
Mrs. Melthorpe fixed upon her young
est born Gorgon glance which nearly
froze her to stone.
"Be silent, Missr' said she. SIS it
for slip of thing like you to contra
| dict me and lay down the law? Tell
Mark Antony's widow to 60 about her
| business!"
At this moment, however, Hyacinth
was reinforced by slight, fair-haired
| little woman in a very plain black
,hD
on the scene.
do not blame Hyacinth, Mrs. Mel
thorpe" said she. called to see YOU be-
cause have just returned from a visit
| to Harper Castle"
Mrs. Melthorpe stiffened visibly. Hy-
acinth 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, dcer-likc
eyes to the blushing face of tho new
| conner
'She IS pretty, in a wax doll sort of
| fashion,, ol,ouSnJ 4>orlIlu, VINO uri eolI
was sort Of Junonian bello-large lam
guild and pink-cheehed.
YES said Mrs. Melthorpe. "But il
you will allow mo to mention it. Mrs
Mark Antony, it was hardly tho thing
for you to besicgo my poor, dear brother
| in-law-oven at his own house"
His wife was Mark Antony's sister"
"Humph!' said Mrs. Melthorpe. IF
you expect, madame. to be adopted by
all Mark Antony's rotations, you will
find yourself considerably mistaken.
You are young, and perhaps incxpcri-
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
IF 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:
OR would recommend you to study
telegraphy, or purchase a type writer
and practice diligently upon it. Any
thing would be preferable to becoming
burden upon your friends. Good
morningr'
Mrs Mark Antony withdrew silently
Norine Melthorpe tossed her head: Hya-
cinth burst into tears.
"Goosey," cried Norine, what are YOU
sobbing about?"
oh, 1t was too cruel" faltered Hya-
clnth. "You might at least have offered
her cup OF your chocolate, Norineu'
Nonsense" said Norine. Tho
woman has got to be taught to know her
place! Let her go to workw
But she never was brought up to do
any thing. She was rich when Uncle
Mark Antony married her." pleaded
Hyacintn.
she might have had few thousand
dollars-nothing to what Prudential
Goldiland would have inherited; but it
Is no fault of ours that Mark Antony
gambled them all way. Her mother
should have brought her up differ
emily"
Mamma, it's just the way you have
educated Norine. She can't oven sew
on her own shoe-buttons!" protested
truthful Hyacilth.
How dare you argue with me, you
lmpertinent minx?" retorted Mrs. Mol
thorpe, putting down the Dresden stat,
uette and giving Hyacinth smart bon
on the ear. go down stairs and help
Bridget, at onces and don't you ever dare
again to dictate to mev
So the packing went on-for although
Mrs. Melthorpe 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 Hyacinth,
sweet child, was growing a great deal
too fast, still she had made up her mind
70 remain there permanently, when once
she had obtained footing.
And l wonder" thought indignant
Hyacinth, "what mamma calls that but
pushing"