Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-07-28

| Uelore their fallure| cried Mrs.
Blanche Redmond, aghast, beating her
tiny parasol impatiently against foot
cncased In very delicate French
boot.
II cannot really bring myself to
think any less of them" said Mrs.
Mordaunt, quietly. Mrs. Stanmore
Is certainly n lady in every respect.
l believe that even In her circum-
stances, as you call 1t. she will really
look more elegant, upon her slender
means, than some who are the wives
Of millionaires. Give her little sun
shine, few flowers and pictures and
she will make presentable home any
where, and there Is Molly with her
queenly beauty to grace such home"
Mrs. Mordaunt, hope you are not
going to put the climax an your bane-
Violence by calling Molly Stanmore a
beauty-now, really, that would be too
bad" and the sparkling widow tossed
her head and glanced up with vexed
sparkle in her eyes.
II don't know Of woman who ap-
more nearly than she. Don't you
Mr.. Henry capable Judge Of such
points?"
Mrs. Blanche flushed from chin to
eyebrow. She looked up with half
frown, the color fading almost instant
ly as she cried, with hurried voice
and Manner
"Why, pray, what did he ever sny?'
Good breeding kept Mrs. Mordaunt's
politeness Observation-Disclosures, she
found 1t difficult to restrain a smile
at her friends eagerncss.
81 do not feelquite at liberty torepeat
all he said" she made quiet reply,
but he expressed the most refined
admiration Of her person and talents.
Oh, by the way, have his last book
have you seen it?'
She arose to bring it from the library.
The little widow, unrcstrained by her
presence, clinched the almost fairy
fingers around the ivory handle Of her
parasol, frownng, and looking very
dlsagreeable indeed.
II don't believe n word she says
about Mr. Henry" she cried, in n
fierce undertone; that tall. common
dowdyisl creature, and he"'
The face softened, the smile re-
turned as Mrs. Mordaunt entered with
n volume in blue and gilt.
The little lady expressed her nd
mlratlon very naturally, keeping her
wicked tactics sheathed in her heart
for future use; chatted few moments
longer and took her leave.
"Tm sure of Doctor HnzletOn's
wife," She said to herself, softly, and
SO it proved. Mrs. Hazleton, who was
nearly dying of ennui. welcomed her
dear friend with dozen graceful
compliments and, seated in her par.
lor. in the midst of objects which
should ut least, by their beauty, have
suggested purity of character proceed.
ed to retail the neighborhood gossip.
among which the Stanmores came in
for share Of the most henrtless
calumny.
"And 1 do believe after all. my dear
Mrs. HazlctOn, that Mrs. MOrdaunt
Is going to do a very ridiculous thing"
cried the little widow, twirling her
purasol vicously.
pray, what freak now" was the
query.
"Why, she'll invite the Stanmores-
at least Molly-shell have her there
In some ridiculous old last years dress.
60 believe the woman thinks Molly
might have rich husband now"
"Invite the Stanmores! 1t would be
an insult to good society. Do you
think there's any truth in the report
that Mr. Henry was rather taken with
Miss Stanmore before his fallure?"
mot word of TRUTH! cried the
widow hotly.
A plain two-story house with nothing
of fashion or protection in it or its slr.
roundings--j bit Of gray brown
earth in front, too barren to sustain a
blade Of grass-an old horse chestnut
before the door. wooden steps, no name
OF cumberland here the StanmOrcs
lived. A wOeful descent. to come from
to splendOr of brownstone. silver plat
ing, rosewood doors and marble steps.
BY the portals stood no attentive ser.
want; no dim, soft, aristocratie atmos.
phere, duly frightened by superb
or CLEAN of statuary, greeted
ones entrance-only n plain, narrow
entry. covered with cold forbldding
oilcloth, terminating In small room,
neat but not elegant.
Mary Stanmore was not likely to be
a dreamers model. Far from that she
looked as she sat today. 1t was good,
pure. noble face that bent thoughtful
over her task as she said
"As for the marketing. mother,
think l shall do 1t myself"
"What do you know about It. my
learT" asked her mother, unconscious
ly ending the question with n sigh.
Nothing at all, of course. but l shall
learn. l can price the different kinds ,
Of meats and vegetables. and by little
shrewd questioning find out the best
dealers. I'm sure can save, for when
papa orders they are sure to send the
best, and" [
"Id rather have the best" sighed the
elder woman. ,
every true, and so would I, mamma, (
but" .
Just then the bell rang. I
"Oh, mother. what shall we do?
,annot see that woman, she whispered.
Here comes Mrs. Blanche Redmond, t
md she's here for no good" ,
In a few minutes the visitor came
weeping into the room. I
my dear Mary" gushcd Mrs. Red. ,
nond. "a am so much pleased to see
'ou and how we'll you are looking" {
"Thank you. did not know You ,
lad any frlendlincss toward me-" sad
he straightforward Mary, and there
vas mn awkward silence. |
"Did YOU know Mrs. Mordaupt in ,
l.