Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-07-15

Ing ner watcn, as she was Delng driver
home after making round of calls
Mrs. Darlington discovered that it wa!
much earlier than she had supposed.
This was the time to go and speak tt
that woman about the violin, and, hav
ing first stopped at her own door, and
sent the footman into the house to get
the tea and the sugar, she directed the
coachman to drive her to the cottage.
She had never seen the front of the
house, and she eyed it curiously. twas
small and square, with porch across
the front and bow window at one side
and the paint was light yellow, with
white trimmings. At each window a
tiny awning tapped lazily in the breeze,
and on the porch stood some small
chairs, and several palms and rubber
plants in jardinieres.
"Tell John not to wait, will walk
home," Mrs. Darlington said to the foot
man as he touched the electric bell for
her.
She was richly and tastefully dressed,
and under her spring cape of silk and
lace she carried the tea and the sugar.
The door was opened by young wom-
an whom Mrs. Darlington had often
seen in the back yard attired in neat
calico dress and bingham apron. She
now wore house dress which showed
itself at a glance to be irreproachable
1t was not wrapper, nor what is called
(Heaven knows Why, tea gown, yet
there was something in its loosely gath
cred folds that suggested the privacy of
home.
us Mrs. Madison at home?' asked
Mrs. Darlington, coldly.
II am Mrs. Madison. Won't you come
in?" said the young woman. She was
tall and rather slender, with dark blue
eyes, and great masses of light brown
hair that showed care in its arrange
ment. Her face was pretty, but there
was an intellectual quality about it that
made the beauty secondary considera-
ton.
Mrs. Darlington's face was study
as she followed the other woman
through the hall, with its square stair
case of polished wood, it's oak hatrack
and umbrella jar, to the parlor which
was larger than one would have sup
posed, Judging by the outside of the
house.
Mrs. Darlington paused uncertainty
in the center of the room, and looked
about her helplessly. She did not quite
know how to begin.
won't you sit down." Mrs. Madison
said, gently.
The elder woman sank into a seat,
but still she could think of nothing to
say. She who had generations of cul-
ture and wealth behind her, and who
had, since her marriage, been an ac-
knowledged social leader, was at loss.
1T is charming day, is it not?" said
Mrs. Madison. "Iintended making some
calls myself this afternoon, but I am
glad now that did not, because then !
should have missed you"
"How fortunate for mel" murmured
Mrs. Darlington, feeling the others
quiet courtesy a challenge.
Having broken the ice, Mrs. Madison
soon put her guest at ease. She evident
ly considered the call a social affair, and
it became harder each moment for the
other to undeceive her.
After short time, Mrs. Madison ex-
cused herself and went out of the room
Left to herself. Mrs. Darlington locke d
about her. The room seemed to be par
lor, library and music room combined
There was a piano, a music rack, a
perfectly appointed tea table, several
cozy chairs, and at her side was an i'm.
mense bookcase.
She glanced at its contents. All the
works of. standard writers, the. best
poetry and the latest fiction were there
The carpet was soft, thick moquette
with light flowers trailing over deli.
cate ground, the pictures, though few
showed taste in selection, and the cur.
tains at the windows were real lace
More over, the whole arrangement OF
the room produced dainty and har
monizing effect which Mrs. Darlington
had often studied in vain to produce il
her rooms.
Mrs. Madison reappeared in the cur
tanned doorway, holding a steaming ket
tie of FURNISHED copper, which she car
ried to the tea table, where she pro
ceeded to make tea, which she served
to her guest in frail cup and saucer.
"1ou must pardon my leaving you
but you see, 1 am maid as well a!
mistress, and occasionally the two role:
clash,' she said, without trace of EN-
barrassment in her manner.
Mrs. Darlington's thoughts wer,
many and varied as she slowly slipped
her tea and ate cake. Among othe,
things, she thought of the packages
| which she had so far kept successful,
concealed under her cape. Had she beer
forced to earn her own living. she woult
no doubt have made an excellent Jug
g,er; for it certainly requires dexterit,
to drink tea, and still keep spectator
| ignorant of the fact that one has :
| bundle under each arm.
| Mrs. Madison talked easily and well
If she had fault it was that she in
dulged in personalities about her hus
band, but that is to be excused in on
who is still bride.
| 'He is a dear fellow" she said, "ant
so ambitious. Just now he is studying
the violin. hope his practice does no
annoy YOU"