The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-10-29
MRS. GARDENERS MANAGEMENT.


those Of more domestic inclinations were hurrying
home to waiting household duties. Tall, handsome
Mrs. Gardner, the newest member of the society
smiling and bowling farewells, made her way
through the entrance where a bevy of frightened
girls paused IN their chatter to gaze admiringly
after her.
Isn't she the dearest thing?" whispered one
young enthusiast.
Lovely" exclaimed her companion. and her
clothes show such exquisite taste"
Il know she viii make the social splendid sue.
cess She looks Just like a commanding goddess.
doesn't she Z" third chmed in.
Pretty little Mrs. Charles O'Neill, her cheeks
very bright and brilliancy in her eyes that was
quite foreign made her way through the gay, chat
ternc school girl throng entirely unnoticed An
CRY, tumultuous thoughts crowded her brain, and
her small feet beat rapid tattoo along the pave
ment until she turned IN at her own cottage gate
Her husband tossed aside the magazine he
reading as she entered, and gazed up at her with
mock severity.
Dear me, Mildred, how long it does take you
ladies' to talk over few trifling details for So
cia. Two solid hours! And all this valuable time
consumed in eecting Mrs. Charles O'Nell dictator
Of everything in general and"
no. indeed." exclaimed Mrs ONeill in quiv-
ering tones. ~ have been relegated to the posi-
ton of mere : 'tant this time"
Really" &C imed her husband "Out of of
flee! And they vote you medal for long and
faithful seryi "
Il don't 5eoi : d humor to enjoy your jests,
Charles" and q tear quivered on her lashes.
Why Mily you don't feel bad over being
relieved of all Ibis worry and work for once do
you p inquired her husband in surprise.
"Oh, it isn't that" explained Mildred, with a
catch in her voice. Il have been so used to being
put first always-and everything l said was
sidered-and my suggestions | know it is
foolish. but L can't help feeling hurt and humil
lated"
sympatheticaly. He was always on his wife's side,
whatever the cause might be. "And who is gen
eral manager Of this coming affair.""
"Why, Mrs. Gardner. of course. She seems to
have made splendid impression on all the Altar
Society members. She is so handsome and does
look capable and practical. 1 hope she viii have
success"
But why should you care, Mildredl" expostu-
lated her husband, gently.
Il don't know really. / suppose it is little and
contemplate in me to so, but TO wake up sud-
denly and find myself so inconsequential is rather
a blow to my pride"
"And 1 wonder" continued Mr.. O'Neill, ''if the
beautiful and talented Mrs. Gardner will be called
to nurse the sick children of the parish I've
borne it all in silence so far he on, his blue
eyes merry with mischief, this thing of being de-
serted at every epidemic of chickenpox and meas
les and whooping-cough and l earnestly hope Mrs
Gardner will be elected to the sick and COM
fort the afflicted of the parish, as well guide
Its financial course"
ooh, that's different matter" Mily hastily
interposed. q am sure Mrs. Gardner is not
nurse and besides she has children of her own"
And therefore won't find it necessary to play
mother to all the children in town." retorted her
husband. alas. l fear | shall continue to be
neglected. he sighed.
cts the penalty for marry a trained nurse,
Charles"
And an angel in the bargain answered her
husband, dropping his je.sti99g tone
Preparations for the festival which was TO be
held to raise funds to purchase a organ for
St. Mary's church were carried rapidly under
Mrs Gardeners supervision. Her gracious man
ner and personal charm had won friends for her
all Sides and she found everyone willing and
eager to help Mildred O'Nell conquered her bit
teness of spirit to the extent of promising to help
Mrs Dewey at one of the tables, but although she
tried hard to forget the unpleasant blow to her
pride. the davs that INTERVIEWED between the meet
ing Of ST. Mary's Altar Society and the date OF the
festival were full of unhappy thoughts.
She had become accustomed to the homage OF
the parish and ever since her marriage to happy,
handsome Charles O'Neill had been looked on as
sort Of queen, and to be suddenly dethroned
without warning-to find her little kingdom so
lckle-well. 1t was too much of a blow TO forget
IN day They had been so fond Of her, and had
come to her always for advice and assistance about
their parties and plays, and had looked up to her
as a sort Of older sister and comrade. Now they
We're foezing to the standard of Mrs. Gardner
Mrs Gardner was a social leader and bestowed
,lavors with lavish hand, and she was just plain
little Milly O'Neill She felt inconsolably lonely
and neglected.
st. Nary's Hall was a scene of gaiety on the
eyelrfm night Of the festival. There were evil
dences of Mrs Gardner's taste in all the decora-
lions Mrs Gardner herself, in pretty white
gown, moved with stately grace about the hall,
chatting with friends. or stood at the head of her
table supervising a bevy of daintily dressed girls
VINO served refreshments
Mrs. OFNel, her practical mind alert to all the
details Of Mrs. Gardners management, noted with
some misgivngs the lavish adornment of cut flow
ers from the florists, that shed a fragrance and
ADDED to the beauty of the tables and the string
orchestra that 1Eafted forth music from behind a