The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-06-28
Aftermath Of the
Old Regime
CHAPTER I.
BY LOUISA PRESTON LooNEY
oopnfoht, 1905, bv Louisa Preston 1Oonev


her fathers broad acres, his splendi
cotton fields, his 500 slaves, and nov
she complained:
Il am nothing; no one cares for me
everybody neglects my daughter"
This evening she leaned her SHAPED,
head on the back of her rocking chat
and felt so uncomfortable that 1t wal
luxury. Indeed, so Overwhelming
seemed her misfortunes that 1t came Il
her In the light of diversion to SPEAK
of them, and Incidence, unconscious
though 1t was. world tire and pride
combined to convince her that all per
sonal effort was impossible.
mo, Hatties no, my child; you cannot
expect much In this life The world Is
scant in its favors to those who are set
aside, out of date. In any case 1 would
not permit you to appear in society I'M
less properly presented, so write and
decline Sarah's invitation
Hattie, a young girl. dark and sIen-
der bearing distinct resemblance to
her mother, was fully impressed with
the gloomy outlook.
Get me the quinine. / will take a
dose and go to bed" Mrs. Pennington
added. Invalidism was one of her espe-
cial pleasures, the study of symptoms
her most congenial occupation.
Hattie brought the medicine and
stood before her mother holding the
box in her hand.
Il scarcely know what excuse to
make Sarah, and, mamma, people do
not dress as well as you think" These
last words were spoken lingeringly
persuasively, as though to bring a
change OF decision. The older woman
looked up with sort of fierce ANNA
ton. w.
your wardrobe contains nothing
suitable for the occasion. Why must
we descend to Notifying minutiae
even with each other? You haven't
the pride Of my family, Hattie. Your
grandmother lived royalty" A mem
DRY of the old days was like wine to
the shattered nerves. mo woman in
the Mississippi valley from New Or
leans to Memphis was so proud or
naughty as she or had a better right
TO be. II we cannot appear as we once
did, we can stay away. There Is an ex-
clusfveness even in poverty. Few
come to see us now"-the voice. rough
ened by years and disappointment,
took on a pathetic intonation-"and IL
]. am invited at, all it is Just a card
dropped, as though were not expect
ed to attend"
Mamma, I do not believe that we
are SO cheerful as you used to be in
grandmother's day"
The remark deeply offended Mrs.
Remington. Her eyes became fever
ishly bright.
'Of course you would like to lay our
present unhappy state at my door.
Well, let It remain there. 1 can stand
now"
\ "Oh, no, no, mammal Hattie was
sorely distressed.
Never mind. 1t is all right" Mrs
Pennington waved her daughter i'm
periously aside.
"Send Emily to me. I'll have her put
my feet In a warm mustard bath be-
fore I retire.
Let me do it for you, mamma"
mo, prefer Emily. She knows
how like to have things done. and
she remembers what was in my time.
Good night, Hattie"
The young girl called Aunt Emily
and went downstairs to the sitting
room. This apartment vase eloquent
OF the fortunes of the family-the large |
figured velvet carpet had lost its earlier
brilliance. the threadbare brocatelle on |
the furniture stared up at one from
carved rosewood frames.
and the lace curtains had been darned |
till they were well nigh handmade. |
The whole house told the same story.
Beyond In the dining room on the |
claw footed mahogany sideboard stood |
cut glass that had been in the family |
For generations, and the silver bore the |
Initials of Mrs. Pennington's GRANDPA |
Their carved beneath the English crest.
There were four gold watches upstairs
that had counted out the lives of as
many Pennington ancestors, and care
FULLY placed In faded velvet case was
set OF pearls, grown yellow with age.
that had been last worn by Hattie's
lead sister when bride, In the cedar
hest lay Grape shawls. richly en-
nantes aud old silks with
many breadths in the skirts that could
stand alone. Most OF this iinery had
belonged 10 those who had passed
'way and was kept sacred for their
axes, Everything spoke OF the past.
The telescope was turned backward.
The outlook was continually narrow
ng
Hattie sat down, depressed and merry.
'us, The clock licked With fhrles is
'suel lnslsteneei fle bird 10 the cage
'hirred inoessapflyi the hre rumbled
40 sroaned end nov and thep scat.
eged = fuslllaae " Goals on fhe fender.
ne pretty, aensliiYe features Were fuu
Z disappointment 1he soolal bah
'hnis f,ef hAq ulQfe ap the ouisklgis
"A qilee 400 the leaal poriurhad
h''pN ~ plef ene iell hafal eap