The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-03-14

ncr party as this"
"Theres no mistake, ma'am, said
Hester, pertly. Servants will soon
learn the spirit Of their superiors,
and Hester knew that young Mrs.
Mildmay was not particularly partial
to her husbands stepmother. al took
the order myself, and 1t amt likely i
should be mistook."
chester is quite right" said Mrs.
Rufus Mildmay, who came in at that
moment, n handsome brunette, in n
pink cashmere morning dress, trimmed
with black velvet-rather a contrast TO
the neat, calico gown which her
mother-in-law was accustomed TO wear
about her morning avocations at
home. "And do | wish, mamma, you
wouldn't interfere ~
The old lady's serene brow flushed.
"My DEAR" she demonstrated, 81
do not wish to meddle with your con-
Germs, but really fear that Rufus's in
come"
"Rufus's income is his own, to
spend as he pleasesl" interrupted the
young lady. "And you seem to for
get, mamma, that people don't live
nowadays as they did when you were a
girl"
Mrs. Mildmay said nothing more.
II was not the first time, nor yet the
second, that she had been given to un-
derstand, by Mrs. Rufus, that her in
terposition in household affairs was
unwelcome.
The stepson, whom she loved with
as fond d devotion as il he had been
her own child, had married a beauti-
full city girl, and settled in New York
SO fai i was weu, ai.lough Mrs
Mildmay had secretly hoped that he
would love sweet Alice Acton, the
clergyman's daughter, of Pole Hill,
and settle down on the old farm, Gs
his father before him had done.
Yet, if Rufus was happy, she also
would rejoice, she assured herself,
even although he preferred Rosamond
rhursby to Alice Acton, and city's
hustle to the sweet peace of tho wales
and glens.
If Rufus was happyl Yes, thero
was the question. And sometimes Mrs
Mildmay feared that he was not, in
spite of his smiles and assumed cheer
fulness.
1t had been his fondest hope that
his mother might be one of his house,
hold after his marriage. Mrs. Mild
may had hoped SO, too but after this,
her first visit, she felt that the dream
was in vain.
"Oil and water will not mix" she
said to herself, with sigh; "and be-
long to n past generation"
As she left the store closet, where
Rosamond aud her cook were holding
counsel as to proposed dinner party,
she went slowly and spiritlessly up the
breakfast room, where Rufus was read.
ing the morning paper before the fire.
'Rufus," she said, little abruptly,
al think had better go back to The
Hemlocks this week.
'Mother !" he demonstrated.
81 don't think that Rosamond wants
me here" Rufus Mildmay redeemed.
81 hope, mother" he said" she has
not said anything to-"
at is not natural that she should
need my presence, said the old lady,
gently. 81 might have known it !;
now i am certain of il. Home is the
best place for me. But remember one
thing, dear Rufus. Do not outspend
your income. Rosamond is young
and thoughtless. You yourself are
inexperienced
ooh, it's all right, mother !" said
the young man, carelessly. "But
did hope that you could be happy here. 4"
Mrs. Mildmay shook her head.
II shall see you sometimes" said
she. "lf ever you are in trouble,
Rufus.-'you or Rosamond, either---you
will know where to come"
So the old lady went away from the
pretty bijou of house in Parabole
Place, with its bay windows, its Tur-
CONAN portieres and the boxes of
flowers i'll all the easements.
''Rosamond, said the young hus-
band, as he studied over the list of
weekly bills short time subsequently,
81 believe my mother was right. We
are outrunning our income"
'Pshaw |" said Rosamond, who was
sewing point lace on rose.colored
satin reception.dress; "what has put
that ridiculous idea into your head,
Rufus?"
Facts and figures, answered Rufus.
''Just look here. Rosie"
"But / don't want to look |" said
Rosamond, impatiently turning her
head away, "and won't.-.so there |!