The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-03-21

meet them.
Papa, dear papar she cried, as she
threw herself eagerly into his arms.
CHAPTER Ill
II have brought you present. Oracle, v
he said, as he embraced the child then
placed her on the walk, and turned to
Isabel, "a mamma, and hope you will be a
very good little daughter to her."
IA mamma" repeated the little girl,
looking up at Isabel with shy eyes; she had
never known a mothers care, and could not
realize what it implied.
sMy dear" said Isabel, her heart warm
ing at once to the little one, an orphan like
herself, and taking the little hand In hers.
she pressed a kiss on the sweet red lips, ii
am sure we shall love each other very dear
ly.'
"Mrs. Falconer, this is Mrs. Montford,
my housekeeper," said Mr.. Falconer, as
they were met in the spacious hall by an
elderly woman, simply dressed in black.
She had a good, sensible face, and Isabe'
felt as if she would find in her friend i'll
her new and untried position.
Mrs. Montford dropped little courtesy
and welcomed the new conner in spite OF
her surprise with a few cordial and we'll
chosen words, and then looked lnquiringly
at Mr.. Falconer.
81 should have apprised you of the
event. he said, smiling, 'but wished to
surprise you Please show Mrs. Falconer
to the east room and see that she is made
comfortable after our journey. The trunks
will soon be here, and will have yours
sent to you Immediately" turning to lsa-
bel, land you had better lie down and rest
before dinner"
1t was large and beautiful room to
which Mrs. Montford led the way, and fur
nished elegantly with every thing needfu!
| for q restful toilet. The furniture was 6
| heavy walnut, and the draperies of rich
crimson terry gave rich, shaded lighj
which was very grateful to the tired eyes OF
the traveller; the soft carpet yielded to her
tread like velvet and the touch of luxury
was everywhere apparent
as this really you, Isabel Grant?' she
said to herself, as she stood before a large
mirror and looked at her face, somewha
dusty and jadcd with travelling, and gav
herself sly pinch as she did so. "On'
week an unhappy retainer in Nine
Arhot's train, with no prospect of home.
but corner in Aunt Debby's crowded cot
tage, the next wife and mother in this
| elegant house.
"Why did you not tell me you had a
uduSuJCT! BIG hShCu, WI. l. dlCOhSA eip
oeared Two hours later. She had had re
freshing nap and was dressed for dinner.
s.You did not ask me-" he said; 'remem-
ber, you did not wish to skip any of the
pages in your book of experience. Is it q
dstasteful one?''
''Rather momentous one, you must ad-
NIT" she replied, smiling, ito find myself a
mother as well as wife, on such short no
| tice, butt and she looked in his face with
earnest eyes, 81 will strive to prove myself
worthy of the trust you have shown in me. -
81 am sure you will" he said, touchirg g his
lips to her hand; it was the first sign of a
caress he had given her, and she blushed
| vividly.
"Grace is very like her mother" and
he toyed absently with the charms on his
watch-chain, and think you will find her
very docile and easily managed"
| ''She reminds me of Lilly Stanford" re-
piled Isabel, land loved her at first sight y
''Lllly is indeed a lovable girl, and if you
can train Oracle to be like her, in spirit as
we'll as in looks, shall be well satisfied. To
tell the truth her birth was the cause
her mot ers death, ana 1 lear L was
lectful of her for that reason, and 1t is only
of late that 1 have known much about her,
Mrs. Montford has lived with me many
| care entirely"
'She will naturally be little sensitive
about giving her up to the care ofanother," ,"
said Isabel thoughtfully.
"Probably, and little fearful and jealous
of you as step mother to her charge, but
/ leave it to your good sense, to be so kino
and considerate that this difficulty will.
soon be overcome with mutual respect and
goodwill remaining Mrs Montford is AL
excellent christian woman, and has every
claim on our consideration, and the fact o.
her being my housekeeper does not detrac.
| from her worth in the least"
'Surely have too lately be IN an employc
myself to feel any superiority to Mrs.
Montford on that ground" said Isabel,
quickly.
"And yet, Mrs. Falconer, allow me to
suggest that you keep that fact buried il
your own BOSOM" he spoke, earnestly
"while despise II snob above all things, ano
would have you treat our dependents wit.
| all kindness and courtesy; still there is n
need for them, or society at large. to know
that you were not born to Il position equal
to that you now occupy; you may be trifle
awkward at first in small matters, bu,
doubtless Mrs. Stanford will gladly posi-
you on society points; she is an expert in
these things, though must confess have
paid little attention to them myself, as fash
ions in etiquette change almost frequently,
as in bonnets.''
"Ah, Mrs. Stanfordr' and the young
wife sighed deeply. II fear she will be
too angry with me to do me sisterly kind
nesc." s...,.. ..-
II think you are distressing yourself
| without causen said Mr. EalcOner kindly