The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-01-24
MARK ANTONY'S WIDOW.
The Lesson she Taught Mrs Mel
thorpe and Daughter.

SHARK Anthony's widow!' said Mrs.
Melthorpe, sharply. again! Didn't I
desire you % tell her yesterday, when
she called that l was particularly en-
gogedf
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 ventured, won't you
see her? She is very pretty and young,
and she looks so dreadfully tired"
'No 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
yied by hand. 81 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
you!"
Let her hear me. The truth never
did anybody any harm. Mark Anthony
srould marry her, in spite of all of us,
when he might have had Prudential
Goldiland. with her quarter of a million,
for the asking,
Mamma, she is your brothers wild
ew."
Mrs. Melthorpe fixed upon her young
est born a Gorgon glance which nearly
froze her to stone.
''Be silent, Miss 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 go about her
business
AT this moment, however, Hyacinth
was reinforced by slight, fair-haired
little woman in very plain black
gown. who valiantly presented herself
on the scene.
"Do not blame Hyacinth, Mrs. Mel
thorpe" said she. l called to see YOU be-
cause / have just returned from 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, deer-like
eyes to the blushing face of the new
conner.
''She is pretty, in wax doll sort of
fashion," thought NOrine, who herself
was sort of Junonian belle-large, Ian
guild and pink-cheeked.
YES" said Mrs. Melthorpe. "But if
you will allow me to mention it. Mrs.
Marx Antony. it was hardly the thing
for you to besiege my poor. dear brother
in-law-even at his own house."
Ellis wife was Mark Antony's sister,"
''Humph!" said Mrs. Melthorpe. "If
you expect, madame, to be adopted by
all Mark Antony's relations, you will
find yourself considerably mistaken.
You are young, and perhaps inexperi-
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:
Cor l would recommend you to study
telegraphy. or purchase a typewriter
and practice diligently upon it. Any
thing would be preferable to becoming
burden upon your friends. Good
morning.
Mrs. Mark Antony withdrew silently.
Norine Melthorpe tossed her head: Hya-
cinth burst into tears.
''Goosey," cried Norine, "what are you
sobbing about?"
''Oh, it was too cruel" faltered Hya-
cinth. ''You might at least have offered
her cup of your chocolate, Norine!''
Nonsense" said Norine. THE
woman has got to be taught to know her
place! Let her go to work."
''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 even sew
on her own shoe-buttons!' protested
truthful Hyacinth.
''How dare you argue with me. you
impertinent MINK" retorted Mrs. Mel
thorpe, putting down the Dresden stat
uette and giving Hyacinth smart box
on the ear. $50 down stairs and help
Eridget, at once; and don't you ever dare
again to dictate to me-
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
to remain there permanently, when once
she had obtained footing.
'.And l wonder" thought indignant
Hyacinth, what mamma calls tia! blu.
pushing"
The Melthorpes went down by train
the next week but one, leaving the
packing-boxes on storage, and taking
only nine trunks. For Harper Castle
was not many miles from Saratoga, and
Mrs. Mel.lorpe intended that dear
Norine" should have the benefit Of the
fashionable season.
albert Harper is as rich as Cresus,"
thought tho maneuvering mother, land
there's no reason that some of the money
shouldn't be spent on his nieces!"
She had not seen much Of the Harpers,