The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-07-29
IS AB E L;
From Shop to Mansion.
rhe Romantic Story Of a Dress
~ Makers Rise in Life.
t BY MRs. F. M. HOWARD.

Copyrighted, 1889.
CHAPTER ".

copyrighted, 1889.
~ CHAPTER ".
ssNo,' he answered, graveiy taking her
hand in his, s.no one could do that; she, my
first love, holds sacred shrine in my heart
that none else can occupy; but, my wife, you
can fill your own place, and that is fast be-
coming a dear one" he drew her to him,
and, placing his arm about her waist,
pressed his first kiss upon her lips in the
presence of the smiling face looking down
benignly upon them.
Love; it was the frst time the subject
had been approached since their first meet
ing, and Isabel wondered what love would
be like when it came She had dreamed OF
love. What girl has not, and thought Of it
as a turbulent, overmasterlng passion, un-
bounded by reason or common sense. AT
least that was the version Of it given by the
story-writers, and she was positive there
was no such emotion in her heart Tor Mr.
Falconer.
He was simply a friend-a kind, true gen
tleman-who had rescued her from her try
ing life OF poverty, and brought her to all
these delightful things, and she respected
him above all men whom she has ever seen.
Friends may exchange kiss, and she
raised her lips to his without tremor, and
hoped for the day when kisses might be
symbol Of a sweeter, deeper feeling than
friendship.
ssMrs. Nontford" Isabel was seated IN
an easy rockerin the housekeeper's room.
ssMr. Falconer has given me permission to
ft up one Of the rooms to suit my own taste,
and have come to you for assistance, as OF
course wish to consult his tastes also, and
YOU have lived with HIM so many years
that you must know him well. 1t is to be
an evening room, where we can meet for
quiet rest after the day is over, and wish
it to be thoroughly restful and cozy."
aYes, ma'am, think I see what you
wish,'' said Mrs. Montford, with her little
courtesy. She liked this new Mrs. Fal-
coner, with her quiet ways, so far removed
from haughtiness or patronage, though
with the rest of the family below stairs,
she had little natural curiosity in regard to
the sudden marriage; she checked 1t per-
emptorily in the servants under her, and
she was by far too well bred to express 1t,
by word or look, in herself, yet she could
not help seeing that their relations We're
quite different from those Of the first Mrs.
Falconer, whom she had tenderly loved:
with her husband.
In certain sense this pleased her, for It
would have hurt her to see another taken
at once into the tender companionship en-
ioyed by the first wife.
'sMr. Falconer likes bright, rich colors
ma'am,'' she said, thoughtfully, ''but he
despises fashionable fancy work." and she
smiled at the pecuiarity. The first Mrs
Falconer never did any Of it. Have 20,
seen-2" and she stopped, fearing that sh'
had touched on forbidden ground.
eyes," replied Isabel, gently, reading
her thought; 81 have seen it, and it is very
lovely and touching" -
ssThen, ma'am, ycu have some guide as to
MIR. Falconer's tastes" replied Mrs. Mont
ford; ssonly, Of course, you would not follow
that as model too closely. Mrs. Falconer
always had blooming plants in her room,
but they would not bloom for me after she
was gone, and gave up trying to care for
them there Tears came in her honest
blue eyes IS she spoke, and she wiped them
away with the corner Of her ample white
apron.
sMrs. Falconer must have been a rarely
sweet and loveable lady," said Isabel, sim
cereIy and feelingly. 81 do not wonder that
she was so well beloved"
ssThank you for saying it." The words
formed a new link in the chain Of Mrs
Montford's kindly feelings toward the new
wife. sit does you honor, ma'am, to be
willing to give the first wife her place IN
our hearts. So many ladies' that have
known that seemed to think the first wife
should be forgotten out Of respect to the
second.''
"Oh! no, no, Mrs Montford." cried Isa'
bel, with earnestness. II should desplse
myself could cherish such feeling, and
honor Mr.. Falconer and yourself far more
than could had YOU suffered your love 70,
so sweet a lady to give way to the claims o.
stranger True, hope to be loved anc
respected by you, also, but not at the e1
pense of your loyalty to her." and, rising
she offered her hand impulsively to the
housekeeper, who took it in friendly clasl
which came from the heart, now completely
won over to her by the few simple, woman
II words.
"Iwished to speak to you also in regard
to Gracie,'' she continued. II should no
blame YOU at all if you felt some natUra
Jealousy upon being called upon so Unex
pectedly to give the child over to the care
step-mother; and being totally unaccus
toned to the care of children, I do not fee
competent to undertake the charge without
your assistance"
She could not have chosen her words bet
ter, and Mrs. Montford's face lighted VI
gratefully y. II will confess. ma'am, that
did feel it, she said, frankly; ''any ont
would with a heart, Mrs. Falconer, aftel
having the care Of the sweet child from hel