Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-08-06

EDDIE'S OPINION.

ny ANNA SHIELDS.

raj pOSltlonS IN winch woman can
ever be placed is certainly that of a
young widow dependent upon the rela-
tives of her late husband. If they are
all that is tender and kind, cherishing
her for the sake of the dead to whom
they gave mutual love, it is still trying
to eat the bread Of those upon whom
she has not the claim of kinship,
But Ella Talbot had not even the
consolation of kindness given for her
husbands sake.
The Talbots were an old family, rich
and proud, holding their name far
above any of the people who sur
rounded them In the handsome
family mansion at Ryegate, Mrs. Ru-
dolph Talbot reigned over family
consisting of one son, two daughters,
an unwelcome daughter in-law, and a
little grandson. When Edward, second
son of the Telbots, announced his in
tention of marrying Henrietta Waring,
daughter of an old friend, the Tai
bots, in solemn council, decided that
the Warnings were of good family, not
quite so exalted, certainly, as the Tai
bots, but sufficiently so to compensate
for the want of dowry with the bride,
who was an orphan, losing her father
just one year before her marriage.
1t was unfortunate that Edward was
net rich, the whole of his fathers
property having been left to his widow,
until her death should cause a division
for the benefit of the children. But
Edward had studied law, as strictly
aristocratic profession, aud would
doubtless be Judge of the supreme
court in time.
He took his pretty bride, only II
years old, to New York, and after four
years of happiness he died suddenly
of heart disease.
Eta, crushed, heart broken, made
no resistance when Rudolph Talbot
took her home to Ryega'e, broke up
the New York establishment, and
seemed to consider it settled matter
that henceforth she was one of the
family. The poor little sensitive
widow accepted it all in deepest graft
tude, as kindness shown for Edward $
sake, and humbly hoped to repay love
with love.
But the first days of mourning were
not over when she knew that it was
pride, not love, that had governed the
Talbots.
''It did not look well for Edwards s
wife to be in New York alone" Mrs.
Talbot said, and when Eta timidly
proposed seeking some employment a
| cry of horror greeted her.
"She was Talbot now," she was
told, "and no Talbot yet had ever dis
graced the family name by teaching,
or seeking work of any kind
So, being timid woman, and ten
| derly careful of Edward name, simply
because it was his, Eta accepted her
position. Kate and Ellen, tall, hand
some girls of 19 and 20, chose to con-
slider Eta, as a widow, and mother of
three-y year-old Eddie, as of the same
age as their mother, although her ma
ternity and deep mourning did not
take from the childlike beauty Of her
winning face, with its soft blue eyes
and golden hair, to which her dress
gave pathetic grace.
A year of quiet, uncomplaining MAJ
tyrdom stole the roses from Eta s
cheeks and made her step languid, but
she was very lovely even then. Mrs.
Talbot had discovered that her daugh-
ter-in-law had perfect taste, deft
fingers, and what the lady called n
perfect genius" for dressmaking and
millinery, and had Eta known it, her
labors in these departments saved far
more than her own expenses in the
house.
But she only knew that she seemed
never to please, was always taunted as
dependant, and yet prevented from
earning her own living. Only for
brown-eyed Eddie, his father in minia-
ture, l think the poor little widow
would have longed to know hel young
life ending, until she had been a year
at Ryegate, and John Talbot came
from China to visit his relatives. Iii
that rich and select family, John was
an acknowledged prince, heir to vast
fortune left by his father, who was,
Mrs. Talbot said, something in
China" not meaning a teacup or plat
ter, but thus vaguely Guessing over the
fact that he was successful tea
merchant.
But John, at 80, had not soiled his
patrician hands in trade, but had
travelled in Europe and Asia, Japan
and South America, returning to Can
ton to receive his fathers last bless
ing, wind up his affairs, and then visit
his parents native land, intending to
reside there.
He purchased a house in New York,
furnished in palatial style, Installed
housekeeper, and then graciously ae-
cepted Mrs. Talbot's invitation to visit
Ryegate.
And after the first visit, made a
year after poor Edwards death, he
seemed to find the place wonder
fully attractive, for he came again and
again, till his visits in six months
would have summed up to handsome
total. 1t was in June, when the Tai
bots were talking of the customary
month at the seaside, that note from
John, announcing his intention of
making a weeks visit, threw them all
in hutter.
81 think" Mrs. Talbot said, che
must certainly say something definite
this time. But, really, | cannot tell
whether it is Kate or Ellen he most
admires. I"
'He says blue eyes are the softest
in the world" simpered Ellen, who
was blonde.
''But he almires Kate's voicel" said
her mother; he always stands at the
piano while she sings. By the way,
Eta, practice those new aceompani-
ments again. Kate's voice sounds
far better when she stands to sing.
And you need not come into the
parlor until send for you, said Kate,