The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-07-29


unjust, or Indifferent to his happiness; !;
and laying her hand gently on his arm
she changed her tone.
Suppose we resolve to say no more on
this subject till | have made Miss Wes-
toms acquaintance shall be very glad
if am able to reindorse your favorable
oplnion of her. Remember. nothing
would grieye me more than not to be able
t. feel a mothers affection for your wife, I"
But Herbert was not to be appeased; |;
many little circumstances were couspir-
ing to irritate him. Linda had refused
visit from him on the previous evening,
On the plea that she should be busy finish
ing the collar and cuffs she intended pre-.
senting to his mother. Yet on her table,
with fan and faded bouquet. lay pro-
gram of one of the theaters. Who coulu
have left it there but herself?
Again. He was not as blind to the
slatterny appearance Of the young lady's
sanctum as he chose to seem Gu those
occasions when he had spent raptured
hours within its precincts, the dim llgh5
of the shaded lamps had hidden much
that now panied and surprised him
Kicking soiled satin slipper out of
his way. he stalked across the room to
the niche that contained pianette. and
throwing himself into low chair besid,
1t. began turning over the beauty songs.
Why did she suffer any one else to de-
tain her from him SO long9 Surely the
page had apprised her that he was here,
and also that he had not come alone. He
could not believe that she would treat
his mother with studied disrespect, yet
quarter Of an hour had elapsed. and still
there were no signs of Miss Weston's
coming to greet her guests.
| Another five minutes had elapsed, and
he was about to rise and ring for Miss
Weston's maid. when he heard the rustic
OF feminine attire, the patter of fetni-
nine feet, and Linda bounced into the
room. She was quickly followed by a
pretty country cousin whom she occa-
sionaly patronized to the extent of IN.
viting her to spend a few days at KEN
sington.
Without intending to make mischief
the page had played his mistress false
When he put his head in the drawing
room door, she was in stormy debate
with her milliner, who had sent home an
unbecoming hat, and asked a higher
price for it than Miss Weston was willing
to give. Before the boy could announce
the names of the visitors he was sent an
grily about his business.
That Mrs. Somebody was waiting to
see her was all Linda comprehended, and
she rushed to the conclusion that it was
4 certain Widow Thompson, whose in.
valid daughter really made the delicate
lace and embroidery its purchaser did not
scruple to pass off as her own.
Nor was there anything in the appear.
ance OF the quietly dressed figure that
rose at her entrance to disabuse the young
lady of that notion. A screen concealed
Herbert from view the while she ad-
dressed herself to his mother in very diff
ferent tones from the dulcet ones he was
accustomed to hear from those coral lips.
$50 this is the way your daughtertreats
her best customer" were the first words
leveled at the astonshed hearer AL
though l sent word that must have the
lace by yesterday evening at the latest,
you have disappointed me! Don't at
tempt to make any excuses; l never
listen to them, People have no business
to accept work unless they intend to exc.
cute the order well and punctually"
perhaps the young person is i'll, in
terposed Miss Weston's cousin. "Am l
right? Isyour daughter too ill to work 2"
she asked kindly, addressing Mrs. Tor.
rens.
Nonsense, Flo!" cried Linda, in a
more peremptory fashion than before.
Haven't l said already that never ac-
cept excuses? If one would listen to the
tales people of this description are always
eager to tell, there would be no dealing
with them at all
as not this rather harsh ?" asked Mrs.
Torrens, finding room to put in a word
at last. and unable to resist espousing the
cause of the poor. "Those who work for
their living are only too anxious to earn
all they can."
And yet you have not brought home
my lace! | will not have it at all now.
1t would be no use to me. l must buy
some, ! suppose. And it is your own
fault, entirely your own fault, that the
other is thrown on your hands.
"Oh, but dear Linda" demonstrated
her cousin, "it will be such heavy loss
TO person in Mrs. Thompson's position!"
II don't care! See in what an awk-
ward one it places me! had told Mr..
Torrens should have it ready to present
to his mother. and what reason can l
give for not producing it?"
IF you would allow me to explain"
Mrs. TorrenS began, but she was ludely
stopped.
mo; l want none of your explana-
tions. meant to have given your
daughter several things to do for ME.
because she is cheap; but now Ill find
someone upon whom can depend.
Good morning"
Have you far to walk?" asked Flo
kindly as she stepped forward aud slipped
a shilling into the widows hand.
would you not like to rest awhile before
you go home? Linda, may l not take
Mrs. Thompson to the housekeeper's
room!'
But the appeal for permission to pro.
cure some coffee or wine for the elderly
woman, who was trembling and chang
ing color so oddly, was only half uttered
and quite unheard by the demoiselle to
whom it was addressed. In turning
round to sweep majestically from the
Eoudoir Linda found herself face to face