Godey's Lady's Book And Magazine 1872-10: Vol 85 Iss 508

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GODEY’S Ladys Book and AMlagasme. VOLUME LXXXV.—NO, 508. PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER, 1872. ————— 2+ re -C—™ BRED IN THE BONE. BY MARION HARLAND. PART II. Mr. GLENN had judged his future son-in-law correctly when he spoke of his susceptibility to external influences. Miles Garnett was ob- servant as sensitive, and when, arriving some- what earlier than Helen had anticipated on the evening of their reunion, he was shown into the parlors and left alone for ten minutes to await the coming of his betrothed, he not only used his eyes well, but marvelled exceed- | ingly at the evidences of untidy housewifery visible on every hand. The carpet had been swept after a fashion—the prevailing fashion of Mrs. Glenn’s domestics—that is, the broom had cleared away the heavier rubbish and the * dust from the centre of the rooms, leaving in the corners and under the furniture a coating that completely obscured the colors of the vel- vet fabric. Mrs. Glenn “did not believe in following up servants to see that they obeyed orders. She would not relish such surveillance were she in their place, and spared no pains to impress upon hers the fact that they were trusted implicitly. Few ladies had less trouble with servants than had she.”’ The satin chairs and sofas were in a condi- tion but one degree less disgraceful than were those in the living-room, for the Glenns “lived all over their house.’’ The piano—a magnifi- eent ‘‘Steinway’’—was open, and the lover’s eyes softened and kindled as he recognized several pieces he had sent Helen upon the rack, and scattered on the floor about the music-stool, although he could not but note how dusty was the instrument within and without, and that the cover was awry. There was a close, “‘stuffy’’ smell in the air that vffended his olfactories. Aunt Amanda could have told him what many other nicely-observ- ant housewives have discovered, to wit, that dirt, in its least objectionable forms, can yet be smelled, and will betray its presence to the initiated ; that ventilation and purification are essentials to present comfort, if not to health. “‘T am afraid Nellie’s mother is very unlike the grandmother and aunt in certain particu- lars,’’ mused Miles, with a stirring sensation of uneasiness he felt was unlover-like. ‘Iam glad my blessed girl isa thorough Glenn. It would drive me wild were my house kept in this way.” Helen’s entrance interrupted the prosaic reverie. She came in, all aglow with delight, and for an hour Miles forgot the disorder and ill-savor of the place, and dwelt in Paradise. Twilight favored this oblivion by closing in over the windows and in the distant corners of the spacious apartment. The coal-fire blazed up cheerily, and showed him the love in the fine eyes upturned to his; the rich nectarine fiush of the cheeks which were round with youth and health. Mrs. Glenn appeared, wrapped in an India shawl, just before dinner was announced. She used her clothes as she did her furniture and life generally, “‘for comfort’s sake.” This shaw] was a present from her travelled brother, and there was not a handsomer one in the city, but she kept nothing for “high days and holidays,’’ and the precious garment as often draped her shoulders in-doors as out. She sported it to-night partly in honor of her daughter’s visitor, more to save herself the trouble of putting on another dress than the rusty alpaca she had wornallday. She looked almost distingué, thanks to the Cashmere and the half light so favorable to lovers’ chat, and Miles bent before her in heart, as in person, with genuine and son-like reverence. He gave her his arm when they went in to dinner, and sustained creditably the introduction to the troop of younger brothers and sisters already 309