The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-07-29
she had sent no intimation OF her arrival.
Her keen eyes were on the alert to OBJ
serve any tokens of unwelcome changes or

-, z:=: ,ltz..sasI - ~
NKs NoHrPoRD MET HER IN THE HALL.
innovations as Mrs. Montford met her ir
the hail.
Mr.. and Mrs. Falconer have just gone
horseback riding" she said, as Mrs. Stan
ford met her greeting with an inouiring
look.
Mrs. Montford was not an ardent admlrer
OF Mrs. Stanford; that lady had always as
sumed an air of lofty patronage toward
her, especially CALLING to her self-respect,
and had in addition shown disposition to
dictate in the management Of her brothers
household, a proceeding resented by the ex-
perienced housekeeper, who rightly thought
that, as long as the master was SATISFIED
with her methods, Mrs. Stanford had no oc-
casiou to interfere.
Mrs. Stanford was usually too well bred
and discreet to discuss family matters with
a hireliug in any capacity, but IN this case
her curiosity got the better OF her ludg-
mcnt. and she said, in half whisper, as she
sank or the 6rawing-rOoEl sofa:
Pray. Mrs. Montford. what do you think
Of the new Mrs. Falconer?"
Think OF ner, Mrs Stanford" replied
Mrs. Montford, heartily-she read curiosity
and disappointing in the tone, and took up
tho defensive at once. Why, think She S
4 born lady. ma am, and that your brother
is a lucky man to have found such an ex-
celIent wife"
Mrs. Stanford was confounded. She had
sad: Poor Montford,' many times since
hearing the news and expected to ind the
:lulsc3.eeper in a state Of jealous ill-humor
a: this sudden invasion upon her long-es-
,abli he'd position.
She had SAID "Pocr Gracie,' also, and
naa made it part Of her plan to take the
child back with her to New York for an IN
definite stay, as missionary proceeding, to
remove her from the atmosphere OF the new
stepmother-
Poor Oracle" came dancing into the
room. her cheeks rosy with health, her lit
tie face beaming with happiness, ano
dressed with the most perfect taste. do
clied Improvement on Mrs. Nontford's rath
er stiff style Of juvenile adornment.
"Oh, auntie," she cried, papa anc
mamma will be so surprised to see you.'
Mamma, indeed" exclaimed Mrs. Stan
ford, inwardlv, as she drew the little girl tt
her embrace. $50 you love this new
mamma. do YOU, my dear she said aloud
'.Oh, yes, auntie," cried the child. She
is such dear, good mamma, how cou-o
help it!,' :.
"And papa loves her, too, I suppose" saie
Mrs Stanford, artfully.
"Why, yes, s'pose so,' replied the LITTLE
girl; ''he don't say much, but he looks a
her.
Mrs. Stanford laughed, as she said to her
self: tHc can not look at her for the sake
of her beauty, certainly"
Meantime the husband and wife wers
having delightful ride in beautiful park
with no idea of the arrival in their home
Isabel found that her early practice in bare
back riding was of use to her, and after tn'
frs. awkwardness of the mount and start
ing was over, she sat in her saddle witt
ease and fearlessness, and could guide gen
tie Doll with scarcely an effort.
I'm not sure that you will need any les
sons said Mr.. Falconer, admiringly, as HI
noted her erect carriage. You seem to o'
natural rider, and with daily practice yor
will DO nicely. Doll gallops beautifully
when YOU become enough accustomed to th'
saddle TO try her.
Isabcl's cheeks were glowing with exer
else as they reached home; her hair, Whlc!
the breeze had blown into state OF fluff.
disorder. crept out from under her prett!
hat in little moist rings upon her forehead
and she was smiling happily at some sail.
of Mr.. Falconer's.
They fingered moment in the hall aftel
Tom had taken the horses, and Mrs. Stan
borcalf
her most aristocratic air before Isabel. fol
lowed by her husband, entered the room
Mrs. Stanford had made no allowance:
for the beautifying effects Of happiness
the change which peace and plenty
coming into starved, cramped lift
can make, and she could scarcel.
believe her eyos when she saw he
brothers wife and recognized 'that homel,
grip in the tall, graceful creature, th'
once thin face plump and rudy, the eyes
heavy with overwork and discouragement
now bright and sparkling, and she com
mented within herself: Goodness.
shouldn't have known her"
MY dear sister," said Mr.. Falconer, tax
inc Mrs. Stanford's hand in his, this is IN
deed surprise, for we expected TELEGRAM
before YOU arrived" Then, with as mucl
respect as if presenting Duchess he said
Let me present to you my wife. Mrs. FaI
coner." * -
CHAPTER V.
Isabel took the offered hand Of her sister
in.law, saying with gentle dignity: "Wel
come to our home, Mrs. Stanford; permi
me to nope that our acquaintance will prove
mutually agreeable"
Nothing but Mrs. Stanford's Willingness
to find fault in her could have construed
the quiet sentence into any thing improper
but that lady, with some politely civil reply
outwardlv, thought inwardly: sour homo
indeed! a shop-girl welcoming me to 'ou'
home with such an air.
She could not deny to herself that, aftel
the awkwardness of the first meeting wore
off, the new mistress did the honors or thf
household with graceful dignity, aud sh'
found herself inyoluntarily admlrlng her a:
she came down attired in an afternoon ores:
of heavy silk, beautifully made, and worl
with an unconscious nochalance far re
moved from the dressed up paruen~ air
which Mrs. Stanford so heartily despised.
She had come with the benevolent lnten
lessons in department, but she hardly kneV
where TO commence and wisely concluded
to defer her instructions.
She watched every movement, 1ull,
prepared to criticise, though Isabel scenes
serenely unconscious OF the fact. A lad
called in the afternoon. Mr.. Falconer
cat Home cards had met few re
| sponses, the most Of the recipients BEN!
out of town, but Mrs. Colonel De Lon!
| was an old-timc friend Of the Falconers
and had made it point to call while on
| flying visit to the city.
She was the leader Of a select circle 0
Philadelphia's best society, and upon ne
depended much Of Mrs. Falconer's socla
| success.
She was, happily, one Of the frank, oper
hearted women whom society can nc
spoil, her heart remaining il state
healthy development, in spite OF the re
ou,rements Of fashionable life, and lsaoe
recognized in her congenlal spirit, an
appeared at her best, to Mrs. Stanford
surprise, for she had looked to see he
! oh,she6 in the presence Of the StylS