Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-09
THE ATHELSTONS;
 OR VICTOR AND vANQUISHED.
BY MARY CECIL HAY.

Marjorie ?" drawled her sister. "You look as If you had been crying all night. Had you any modification at High Ath- slston, through that companion of Lady Athelston's?"
 If Louisa Castillain could have been made to feel ashamed of herself, she would most likely have felt it when her sisters eyes met hers after this speech but such a feeling was impossible to her, and the strange, questioning look on Marjorie's face-so unusually pale this mornIng-drew from her just hard laugh, and nothing more.
 Then Marjorie-half in hurt defiance, and half in the effort to hide that her talked on coolly, as she always could when she was most restless and most pained.
 Papa, when shall you give a return ball to the Athelstons? You see we have been there so often lately, and their ball is this day week-the day of your clothing-club tea, Louie. What two blessed ordinances to fall on one day We must have a grand ball in re- turn, papa when shall it be?"
 The Squire's sharp and conclusive "never' was only just the answer which Marjorie had expected. But she raised her eyebrows with as much astonishment as if she had had deeper motive in the conversation than the desire to distract him, and to amuse herself.
 "Christmas would be the best time for us to have 1t, /" she resumed, Idly, as she buttered finger of toast; "but we can think of it presently. In the mean tune, I must have a little money, please. cannot go to the High Athelston ball without A new dress"
 Rubbish l' sneered the Squire. You've dresses enough, I should think"
 "But you think incorrectly" rejoined Marjorie, placidly; "I've nothing fit to wear"
 "You ought to be ashamed to say it." answered her father, pushing back his chair angrily. "You have your allow ance and you must make it do. What did tell you last year, when your ex- penses went beyond your income 2" ''It vasn't so much that my expenses went beyond my income," she returned, calmly glancing at him as she held her tea-cup in her hand, Gas that my income failed to cover my expenses"
 For moment the Squire drew in his lips to curb a laugh, but his next ques- ton was captious enough.
 "And what did tell you then, sayP"
 "You said it must never occur again. therefore wish to give you an early op- portunity of preventing it, sir"
 "You may depend on this, Marjorie :: what you have is all you will have, until you are married and can look to some one else to encourage your extrava- gance."
 "But, my dear sir," spoke Marjorie, looking into her fathers face with comic gravity, "you will never get us of your hands if we go out into society ugly and shabby"
 "Pray don't talk of 'us,'" put in | Miss Castillain; "I can make my in come suffice and always look well"
 "Oh, model daughter of 6 model par ent p cried Marjorie, with eyes uplift- ed.
 "As long as your sister dresses un- complainingly on her allowance cannot think how you dare grumble," cried Mir. Castillain, hotly.
 "Louie saves such lot out of the household expenses" said Marjorie, quietly, her eyes and thoughts appa- rently engrossed by the egg she was breaking.
 For the first time the color rushed into Louisa's face-the angry, resentful color. "Such 8 suspicion is like you, Marjorie" she stammered.
 "Very like me-" assented Marjorie, promptly, "and the act is very like you. Papa, can't you give me something that shall be equivalent to Louisa'S scraping1 out of the housekeeping? It is worth quite hundred year to her."
 Louisa Castillain was not often taken at disadvantage, but in the surprise oi this sudden and correct statement she was oddly silenced.
 "I don't believe it." snapped the Squire, perfectly satisfied with his elder daughters care and economy. "I only believe that her taste is not so ridicu' lously extravagant as yours. Bless me, at what will girls stop nowadaysP"
 At nothing, sir, reioined Marjorie, readily.
 "I think not, indeed. Girls were very different when was young."
 II expect they always did their best, even in those fanltless days, to look well according to their means, sir and always think there is one bit in 'The Vicar of Wakefield which wars against nature. You remember where the two girls come in gorgeouAly dressed fol church. and the Vicar remonstrates with | great composure, that very instant tC change their dresses. HGoldsmith hat grown-up daughters of his own, he never would have written that. "That is your idea, is it ?" asked hel father, with a sheer.
 Marjorie gazed meditatively into hil face as she answered.
 "Them's my noations, Sammy wheerby means to stick Now, wha are you going to allow me extra, Papa9
 Nothing" replied the Squire grossly, as he went round to the fire
 Marjorie's quizzical eyes followed him. "Thou art SO near-and yet & far," she sung, audaciously. "I ough to be allowed to take the shine out O Louisa now and then," she went on presently, in pleasant, unvexed tone "Don't make faces at me, Louie; hope it was slang. You see, papa, Lou isa has the beauty always, so it is bu fair that she should give place to me ol 2 |