The Brussels Post, 1888-2-17, Page 7FEB, 17, 11+15x,
tLr7 . td'ndu'iii+-✓'d`u1311R0 .13::la"Y 0.111131• w30:r45.3.1010/tC.:t :SLP'• w't eetem maze.,y„
e �° q� �,d,,, �`�" a liguro, with ono silo that had boon to
JEST N 5o t �E K Iii tho windward well sifted over with sew,
a was just. outteriug 1110 hall.
.----- Mrs, Marolmlonl welcomed lulu with
If t/ I;, i', I,'�11 as much warmth as 5110 over permitted
e herself to elute'. Sho was a good and
AUTHOR OP khld Indy at heart, only sho Msistod
�t c! upon covering Lilo mama bloom and
n. ilT8E'', l'I' 101) AWAY, "Ela"l(w(lIly of her natw:u with the artificial
A l•tinsmi:T !man," ts'ro. enamel of m1u111Criten and oonvontion-
elite,. During tho unwrappitlg process
Ohr151(au land could trillo wlwl snug tllo young people stood in the back-
eeleaui, iv ilitios—Lhat is, himself: and ground, but Lottie wat(shod tho enter-
itis feelings." lings." gooey from ovareoat and mallet of tho
"13ut 1 don't think it would be quit° llrodeetilled victhn of her wiles with
right," prute5ted Bello, feebly. more than ordinary curiosity.
(11. I1lumina lifted bis eyebrows, Tho first thing that ilupressedher was
";enamells° I Suppose it 1s not ? " said his unusual height, and the next a ooi'-
Dottie, Itnyationtly. 111Liuawkwardness and immaturity, Wheel
"Hitt, Addiu," persisted Bello, "ho 1(0 cavo to be formally preeouted, ilia
1vi11 be your }most," diffidence and lack of ease WOlO quito
"No, (((1 wont. He's moth011'M guest, narked. hello greeted hien with a
and I foul like punishing thein both." distant inclluation of her Load, Do For-
" Very wall," said Lottio, lightly, "if rest also vouchsafed merely ono of his
you have no ecruples, 1 have none, it slightost bows, while Hammitt stood so
will be capital event, and will (10 Win tar away that 110 woo scarcely intro -
good, It would be an oxeollent tieing ducod at all; but Lottie went demnroly
h'•
• e l laud m is
111'11 Elle warm 1
' , •theological 0 101 -' 110118
for his wholo s y Y ['armed and pal
could have a thorough shaking tip by Coat cold 0110, and tad, looking up
the wicked world, whioli to him, in this shyly :
nhattor, I sball represent. They would '• I think we aro sort of cousins, aro
thou know what thoy were preaching wo not'?"
about, Wliat do you say, Julian?" Ile blushed to the roots of hfe llo&hr nod
" Whim (list 1 every disagreo tv11h stammered that ho hoped so.
you ?" he replied, gallantly. "But in indeed, this exquisite vision appearing
this easy I really think wo owe Miss from the 511adows of the hall, and claim.
Addie a veto of thank„ for having hit ing unship, might have dieuon00rtoe a
upon lL joke Clint may enliven tho greater polishod suoloty man; and the con5pira-
part of our visit. This embryo parson tors retired back into the gloom to ludo
sums a sort of a scriptural character— their niorrimoet.
and wily should he not blinclly, like As the stranger in his bashful confu-
Samson, maim sport for no all?" 5ion did not seem to 1plow for rho
"1 fear you do not understand y0nr moment what to do with her hand, and
own scriptural allusion," sneered Della. was inclined to keep it, for in fact' ft was
"Lilco Samson, he may also (11111 every- warmilrg, or rather electrifying ]him, Rho
thing down about our ears in a moot Wilhdrely it exclaimingt
an0amfortable manner." " How oold you aro I You mast come
"1 hopo you wont spoil evolybhing by with me to rho foo at once,"
tolling him or mother," said Addeo, petn- Ho followed her with rather a bewil-
lantly." gored expression, but his large grey oyes
" Oh, no I Since you are determined worn full of gratitude for •her supposed
upon it, I Will look on and see the fun, kindness oven if his unready tongue was
if tholes is any. But, bah 1 Ho will find slow in making graceful acknowlodg.
you all out In a day. As for Dottio moat.
palming herself off as a goodish young "Supper will be ready in a few
woman to whom any sano man would talk m,om011ts, Frank," said his aunt, approa-
religion—rho very thought is preposter- oiling them and rather 'wondering at
01113 1" Lotus's friendliness, "Perhaps you had
"Don't bo too confident, Mies Belle," better go at once to your room and pre.
said Lottio, put upon her mottle. "If pare. You will find it warm," and she
you all will only sustain mo and not glanced significantly at his rumpled
awaken his suspicions withyour by-play hair and general appearance of disorder,
and giggling, and I will deceive the m- the natural result of a lou journey.
genuous youth in awaythatwill surprise He started abruptly, Tushed as if
you as well as him. Good acting must conscious of havingforgotten something,
have proper support. This is something and timidly said to Lottie:
now—out of the rut, and I am bound to "will you excuse me?"
mako it a brilliant jest thab we can laugh "yes," she replied sweetly, " for a
over all our. lives. So remember, Julian, littlo while."
you will disconcert mo at your peril." He again blushed. deeply and for a
"No feats of me. So long 3113 you: second rndulgod in a shy glance of cure.
jest re+uains ajest, I. will be the last ours o5ity at tho " cousin" who spoko so
to spoil the 8polt." kindly. Thou as if guilty of au =pro -
With a chime of laughter that oohooll pricty, 110 seizod Lb huge Carpet•bag as 1f
to the attic of tho old mansion, Lottie it wore a lady's reticulo. But rom0m-
exclaiviot1 ' boring that hor eyrie wore upon hila, ho
"'Che idea that 1 could over become tri0d to cross the hall and mount tho
in earnest!" stairs with dignity. The great leathern
"But the young clergyman may bo-
comu dead in etumest, " said Belle, who
monied the embodiment of a trouhlmsomo
but weak (10usci011ee. "You know wall,
Mr. De Forrest, that Lottio's blandish-
ments may ho fatal to his peace."
"That is his affair," replied the confi-
dent youth,
onfi-
de ntylrtlh, with a careless shrug.
Ifaving arranged rho details of oho
plot and Leen emphatically cautioned by
Lottie, they awaited their victim.
CHAPTER lf.
(1'.'IS'->ELLS PQS'r
possessed with the Tory genius of when
warder:me Sho is the only one who has
shown nag any real ldndnuss, and 1 don't
want her to think of mo only as a
blundering, tonguo•ticil'foal,"
110 would not have boon reassured had
ho 1eno11•n that Lottio, having seen all,
lead darted back into the parlor and was
loaning against the piano, a quivering,
and for the moment, a llolple138 subject
of suppressed mirth, Mr, Dilomorly was
always a rather winked object to her,
and his liyiug grins and spectacles as 110
tried to recover himself from the rude
shock of his nephew's burly form, motto
a 500110 111 which absurdity, which (s
said to be the chief muse of laughter,
was pro -ami n011t,
But Ulu paroxysm passing, sho follow-
ed ilnnn and took a Hoot opposite her
victim, with a demur° 5w00t11030e slid
repose of manner that 11.115 13'oll,nigh
fatal to tho conspirators.
As Mr, IIOmstoacl was regarded as a
clergyman, though not quite through
with his studies, hie aunt looked at him
for the sliying of grace. It was a trying
c
ordeal for the young follow 1m lm the
eirOumstamcee. Ito shot a quick glance
at Lottie, which sho returned trit11 a
look of serious expectation, b1ho11 dropped
her eyes and veiled a differ011t expre55-
ion nndor. Lipo long lashes. But he leas
sorely embarrassed, and stammered out
be scarcely Inew what. A suppressed
titter from Addeo Marohmont and Lilo
young mon was tho only response bo
hoard, and it was not reassuring. Ho
heartily wished himself back in Michi-
gen, but was comforted by seeing Lottie
looking gravely and rot' 111011y ab the
irreverent gigglers.
"Silo in a good c'" len girl," ho
thought, "and while ,rthers ridicule
my wretched e,ubarrasu.ont, she sympa-
thizes.0
Hemstead was himsolf as open as the
day, and equally unsuspicious of .others.
Ho believed just what be saw, and
saw only what was clearly apparent.
Therefore, Lottie, by tolerably fair act-
ing, would have no dif oulty in deceiving
him, and sho was proving herself equal
to very skilful feigning. indeed sho was
one who could do anything fairly that
she heartily attempted.
A moment after "grace"—Harcourt
made a poor witticism, at which the
majority laughed with anfmmoderatonoss
quite disproportionate. Mrs. Marchmont
and her brother joined in the mirth,
though evidently vexed with themselves
that they did. Even Hemstead saw
that Harcourt's remark was but tho
transparont excuse for the inevitable
laugh at 1115 expense. Lottio looked
around with an expression of mingled
surprise and displeasure, which nearly
convulsed those in the secret. But hos
almb and uncle felt themselves justly
rebuked, while wondering (n-eatly at
Lottie's unwonted virtue. But there
aro times when to laugh is a ciroadful
necessity, whatever be the consequences.
" 111r. Hemstead," said Lottie, gravely,
beginning, as she supposed, with the
safe topic of the weather, "in journeying
East lhavo you oomo to a colder or
bag slid not conduce to this, and he sue- enamor climate?"
°coded in appearing awkward in rho "Decidedly into i1, colder ono," hD
extr01130, and had a vague, nncomfort- 11115wur0d1 significantly.
able impression that such WITS 010 02480. "Indeed, thab rather surprises mol"
Mrs. MOrchmont having disappoared "Well, 1 beliovetlrat the thermometer
into tho dining -room, the young people, has marked lower with us, but it hes
wont off into silent convulsions of laugh. been said, and justly I tlhink, that wo do
tor, in which ovon Bello jollied, though not fool the cold at rho West as at the
sho said she know it eves wrong. East."
"Ile is just the ono of all the World "No matter," sho said sweetly. "At
on whom to play, such a joke," said the East, as in tho 'West, the cold is
Lottie, pirouotting into the parlour. followed by thaws and spring."
"It teas caLpitmll" ohimod in Do For- Ho lookod up gniclrly and gratefully,
111.13 v10Titt. rest. "Lottie, you would make a star but only remarked, "It's a change we
actress." all woloome."
Fa.1N13 1I511sr5.1n was oxpoeted by tho ...Ile has all mtolligont eye," continual "Nat I, for one," said Me, Harcourt,
evening train from the north, so that she, a little moro thoughtfully. "Ho "Give mo a'ciear, stoady cold. Thaws
tho conspirators would not have long to nay bo able to sec more thou wo think, and spring are synonymous with tho
wait. '1'o pass the brief intervening I insist them you all bo very careful. sloppy B0ae011 or sentimental stage."
time Lottie Wont to the piano and gave Aunt will suspect something if ho ' I, too, tlliulc stoady cold is boner in
• them some music like herself, brilliant, doesn't, and may put him on leis the season of it,"romarkodMr. Manatee
slashing,
anate -
slashing, off -]land, but devoid of 5onti- guard." ly, sententiously.
lima and feeling. Then she sprang up Mr. Hemstead soon appoarod, for it "But how about it out of season,
and began pltlyeog the maddest wanks was plain fillet his toilets Wore exceed- undo?" asked Lottie.
bu languid 1ie110and -with Addle was mgly simple. The elegance wantmg m Your hint, perhaps, is seasonable,
Iota with Do Forrest hey mentors was 5111 moro Y Lob41e, quietly y
aeon engaged.in a p i o clearly Louie," li tl remarked hor aunt,
and Harcourt, that would have amazed absent from his dross. The material though with somewhat heightened col -
the most festive PUritlLllthlLt ever school- was good, but had evidently been Rot to- 'stir. "1 trust wo shall keep the steady
ed or asked a frolicsome nature tU1(1011 gothor by a country tailor, who limped cold out of doors, and that all our guests
the sombre deportment required. Tho a long wee, behind the latost mode. tvi11 find only summer warmth within."
i
young mon took their auo from the What ryas inUt0 as worse, his garments warp "Really, auntie, you put moq
ladies, and olomanc0 and propriety wore scarcely ample onough for his stalwart molting mood."
driven away in shreds boforo the, gale form. Altogether ho mado in seine "No nood of that, Lottie, for y011 oro
met"
•'tJuno all tho Oar 101
brie contrast to rho cat' of ,
C i t1month
Bello 1 l u externals vuLl:ltod co the Y
Poor B11 1 a Y
pLm a s
their wild s
111E
9 C
of he 1
feted and helpless htalf-anjoyiug, haIJ1 ( quisite, W110 ratllor enjoyed standing said her aunt.
frightoncd protested 01iod, and laugi10c1 beside him that this contrast might bo "'Tho month of Alnil, rather," sue
et 111(0 tempest around her, soon. 0
" 1 mean," said Lottie, panting after Tgos
o Lottie ho appoarod exC0SSively "1
led sho8uld110• say July or August," Maul
e despelalto 013x00 among rho furniture, comical as 110 stalkod in and around, jL. Dimmerly, laughing.
"to 11(4110 or30 111010 5(1.100,111(0 t110 topors trying vainly to appeal: at ease And "Would you not say Novombor?"
bolero they roform?' yet the thought oeelrrod to hor, "If he asked Lottie of Mr. Hemstead.
Though those velvety cr0atnros, with only knew what to do with his colossal "'Yes, I think so," ho replied, with a
their habits of mince and elegance Gould proportions-1mmW low tomalley thorn blush, "for Thanksgiving comos 111 fillet
romp w1010utrouglmoem,and glidowhom —he would mato au imposing -heeling month."
others would tear mound, they could 111a11." And when Do Forrost poised Thor° Was a general laugh, and Mr.
not keep their revel Bo quiet bub that bosklo him just boforo they wout out to Dile orly chueklod, "Very good—you
hurrying steps wort) heard. Bello wart- t0a, 0'011 this thou hb flashed 00E085 are getting complimentary, Frank."
ed them, and before Mrs. Marchniont her, "Teniae Booms leo an ologaut man- "1 hardly mielorstand your 0ompli-
could tutor, Lottie) was playing (0 Wa1Lv„ niicin beside a men." If Do Forrest hail moot, it it i5 0110," saialLottio, demurely.
autl rho others appoarod as if they heal only known it, the gene of contrasts Was "Is it because you two so foul of „r.
been (lancing. Tho lady of precedent not wholly in his favour. mons or dinners, that Thanksgiving
smiled, whereas if sho had coria a But poor Mr. Ilometoacl came to g,:iof g10$if(es the dreary month of Novena.
t earlier she would have been ' on his way to the enema -room. 513 bar?"
a
" Not no0esserily?'retorted Iiematead
quickly, for the remark was like rho
light touch of a spur. "t was grateful
for the opportunity of seeing a liuo pic-
ture at Clovoland, on my way here, that
I never expect to own."
Lottio smil0d. The victim was not
helpless. But situ turned, and with a
spice of coquetry, said:
"Still l think you are right, Me, De
Forrest."
Thou she noted that 111r. Hamstcad'e
eyes wore dancing with mirth at her
hint to ono who was evidently anxious
to keep "Thanksgiving" over her any
month in the year.
"I'm sure I am," replied Do Forrest.
"I could never. be satisfied to admiro ab
a distance. I could not join in a prayer
101100 h01rd, " Lord, we -Omit Tltco
for this and all other worlds,"
"Could you ?" asked Lottie o. Hem -
stead.
" Why not?" •
4
" That is 110 answer,"
Iiomsl ead was growing m0I0 at 0050,
and when ho only heel to us0 this brains
was nob half so much at a loss as when
1m must also manage his hands and foot,
and ho replied laughingly :
"Well, not to put too fine a point
upon it, this world is quite useful to me
at present. I should be sorry to have
it vanish and find myself whirling in
space, if I am a rather largo body. But
a5 I Rill 00011 to get through with this
world, though never through with life,
I may have a chance to enjoy a good
many other worlds—perhaps all of them
—before eternity is over, and bo so
grateful l that they exist and aro in wait-
ing' Good heavens 1" exclaimed Lottie.
" What a traveller you propose to be 1
I should bo satisfied with a trip to
E urope."
To Paris you mean," said Belle.
"Yes," replied Mr. Hemstead, "until
1110 trip was over..'
" Thou I trust also will bo content
with Now York," insinuated De Forrest;
"for Mn. Homstead speaks as if the
stars were created for his especial
benefit."
You aro enjoying sono honey, M.
Do 1' oil est ?" said Hemstead, quietly.
" Did the 'flowers grow and the boos
gat: 'r' for your especial benefit ?"
" 1. admit I'm answerod."
e But," said sceptical Mr. Harcourt,
"wlaair you've got through with this
world, how• do you know but that you
will drop off into space?"
"Come," said. Addeo, rising from the
table, "1 protest against a sermon bee
tom Sunday,"
They now returned to the parlor,
Meinstead making the transition in
safety, but with no little trepidation.
moment
M rohinout tried to disguise her domain -
a sermon cur a dinner is
tent the glow from the hearth, un. livo stature by a, long trailing dross. always a just ammo' fur Thenksgiving,"
col }ai0 onough for their in talent. deeds Upon this ho plaoocl his by no moans ho ropliod, with Lb p10408ant light In 1118
of tlar(lnose had now to fade boforo the delimit° foot, as sho was swooping out �0,y eyes.
0haud0liC , and Mrs. Marohmout, some- with Mr. Harcourt. Thoro was an "Tbcn w=hore is tiro force of your
what surprisod at the rtunplod plumage ominous sound of panting stitches, and allusion? " sho said, with a Paco =no
-
of the young ladies, and rho fact that an abrupt period is the your lady's oonbly blame.
Mr. Du Forr0stls neoktio was awry, seg -graceful progr083. In his eager haste to "'Nuel]," replied lie, llositatin.gly, and
Dated that th0y retire and proper° for remedy his awkwarebl"ss lie bumped up blushing deeply, "perhaps my thought
141pp011, whoreat they in literal against Mr. Dimmerly, who was nava-tie-1 was thab,you might be an oec01ion for
clis0rdet, Butwithollb t110 door theer out ing to speak to him, with a force thatl Thanksgiving if both sermon and dinner
frons y seised thole, and ihoy nearly rat nearly overthrow that dappor goalie. worn emntmg." general laugh but
over ±ho dilatory Bello upon rho stairs. men, and rendered his tm0lo s grooting Again thoro was a g ,
'With 51111(08 of nonson50, smothored rather peculiar, Hoinstoad felt, to les his aunt said, "Drank, Frank, have ye::
laughter, a breozy rustio of garments, intense annoyance, that tho young poo. , learned to Botta?" e,t.
, y. (j Lotti° shot a <nick look of 1.3,11.
and tho c'IiO (0 of swift motion, t o loom. 110 worn 11 tho pont of exploding with
ed to deo away fn tho upper! halls as merrimolt at his ox�p0115e,U7111 d wee at himselfin i surprico (1t him, and was much 080(1
ed
e lib a smnmor' nisC, To Mrs. March- 8, state of min hod inch„Walin rl at his evident confusion enol flaming
might g
snout they lead vanished liter a yuppies 1 and them, 15 aunt and Mr. Ihm1 c 5+ ; cheeps. 'l'o be sure this words ver0 part
sed whirlwind, who soon reco001(18 11(rnse”, Worn one
of the 0101 complimentary tune that she
'•'0 d young people of my tiny worts i &evolving to look serenely unwlrs io od us 'know by heart, bit his offering was like
Y g
MOM ciccorous, so ilogqni 1111 rho lady but tvi6li j'rart(0 8ua0es over 1.111110r61:::; a 1lowar that 1110(1 mien at tlto morning
Com lacontly, "Bat ellen t ,o)o For- to fool. as 1f they were o r tb bnndew' Slle rocmguisod his rratcfnl Cfforb
rests (cavo french blood in thorn; �wnd1 ilisc"rtcous laughtor. ld 1Ori the beautef111. to repay hor .for 811 posed lilnduess, enol
what else could you expdwt2 IL's 7110 object )llooked
oliice noted with a sigh of relief
saw that, though ill at ease, in society,
that sots them off." ecus t ho was not a fool.
Tho oeet.timachilmsomuleof eloigheb Ile Chet 511° bbad di1ap(1101l 10p In 1U04't115 • ' "�Fmilt. it not bo butter to \valt till
hastened rho young pimple's tolloteetrit Cil "I hopo she slid. not set 1: lyy,1 lihvlty in possession boforo ]to0pen" a Thames-
'W1ron Choy desaondulp,tho
o 0511auzs, ,'t(1l 1 a11t1t 1111011 ' 11001))', 11 viii, p maid 1)0 .surest,, satirically,
'tiMe like .a fuuerOJ 1 lt. . 11 e r;lu'1c rn s:ocioty, wul tu-riigllt seem x''''
"
CHAPTER IIr.
ruzzene AND INTERESTED.
On tho way to tbo parlor Lottie
hovered near Mr. Ilemstead. Unlike
Mica,tvbcr, she was not 0110 to wait, but
purposed that Something should "turn
up." Tho two o:. tr young ladies, and
Harcourt and De Forrest, sat down to a
gamo of whist. In pureulmce of M.
structions 11::0(3 Lottie, De Forrest was
not to bo over -attentive, though it was
evident that 110 would give more thought
to her than his gam°. Her demure mis-
chiof amused him vastly. and. knowing
what She 11'55, 111,11 no3301ty of her Puritan
stylo hal a double iascination. Making
personal.enjoyment the object of his
lifo, ha felicitated himself on 80011 pos-
sessing the beautiful and piquant crea-
ture, who, when she came to devote
horsolf to him, would spice his days
with godless varioty. The tbought that
this high•spirited, positive, strong-
minded American girl might crave bettor
and morn importaut work than that of
an Eastern houri or a Queen Schcbero-
sad0, never occurred to him. He blun-
dered, with many other men, in suppos-
ing that, if once married, the wayward
belie would become subservient to his
tastes and moods as a matter of course.
In his matrimonial creed all his diffi-
culty consisted in getting the nooso
filially around the feu one's neck; but,
this accomplished, sac b dna a minis -
taring captive. Many a one has had a
rude awakening from this dream.
b
Aele Marchmont's
Although huml
description he balfoved that he had little
cause to fear a rival in 1'lemstoad still
ho awaited his cooling with a trace of
anxiety. But when the seemingly over-
grown, awkward student stepped upon
the scene, all his foots vanished. The
fastidious Lottie, whoso eye bad grown
so Liao and critical that sho could refuse
the suit of matey who, trent their wealth
and position, thought it impossible to
sue in vain, could 1te1033 look upon this
Wostern giant in a way other than sho
purposed—tho rldieel0us subject of a
practical joke. True, he had proved
himself no fool in their table talk, but
more Intel )oe1uality lend moral excellence
counted for little in Do Forrest's 05ti-
mation 111101 not combined. .with wealth
and 0xt0rnal elegance. The tbought
that the "giant" ,I1:r+llt bavo a heart.
and that Lt>ttie's clover seeming might
will it, and tho consequent mortification
and 80fforteg, did not occasion a tam
mono s cars. lira01n80io11s1y: De Forrest
' ,Caulg,*et1 to that lordly class 11111011 has
' meshed our Noroa, Napoleons, and
tyrants of less elegiac, even down to Pat
who beats his wife, that, froth their
throne of sclf(sbness, Tin! the pain and
troubles of otbors with perfect uueon-
vern. Therefore, beleiving that his per-
sonal intere5ttl woo ' pt etachomered by
to 111)01'0(31IYing a 58 ll(nhstcad,
even beton did nob forlva1Ll to the
carrying o:11 of elle etieal joke with.
more Seat than he. '110 unsuspicious
victim could only bm toiled into some.
thing like love, its ward display
might becomo cootie) 111 the extreme.
T'ioSrtforo 110 gave hit caroloss heed to
his game, and keen glances to Lottie'e
sido•plity. But Rothe oticr conspirators
wean rioting in tnt1011 thio same Manner,
ho Was able to hold his own,
'fl'orusteed looked ggert vo, tie cards Wel0
le:ought out,but cvfbbcii:11
ut 1,0lnar0 sat
down With hie aunt at a table on the
opposite 5ido of rho hearth. Dottie
perehsd on a chair a little) back 01 them,
go coat while she saw their side faces,
they must turn somewhat to see her.
When they did so she was quietly
stitching at 11er fancy work, but the
rest of ciao time wee telegraphing with
her brilliant oyes all sorts of funny mes-
sagoe to the party opposite, so that they
veto in a state of perpetual giggle, not
in lceoping with whist,
Mr. Dimmerly soon bustled in, and,
looking wistfully at the gum iu pro -
gross, was about to propose that they
form ono liltewise at their table, for au
eve0101 without cards was to hint a mild
form of purgatory. But Dottie entice
gated him. Giving a. signal to the
others, and drawing down her farm to
partoutous length, she said to Hem -
stead
"I fear you (10 not approve of cards."
" Yon are correct, Miss Marsdeu," be
replied, et y.
As ho turned away, she glanced at
the card•players with a look of horror,
as if they hero committing sacrifega,
and Harcourt bad to improviso another
poor joke to account for their increasing
merriment.
But Mr.looked at his no. DimmertY 1 oo e
plume iu dismay, and some irritation.
' What under 110aven can I now do, this
long evening," he thought, "but gape
and taut theology?"
But Lottie, in the purpos0 to draw
out and glia hor viotim, continued ;
Really, Mr. Ilomsteed, you surprise
me. Cards are the staple alnusemeni
of a quiet evening in New York. I feat
I have been doing wrong all my life
without knowing it."
" If you did not know you ware wrong,
you were not very guilty," he replied,
smfli05.
Yes, but now I do know, or at least
from one who will be an authority oe
such matters—pardonlie—who rs one
now, I am assured that this old'custom
is wrong. Iu questions of sight and
wrong, I 'suppose a minietor should
guide."
" No, Miss 10larsden, that ie' not Pro.
tostan tism. Yotir 00nscionce, instructed
by the Bible, sboultl guide.
"But 1 see no more berm, in whist
than a sloigh•ride."
" Perhaps your conscience needs in.
structiou."
, Oh, certainly; that is it I Pioase in.
street it.
He turned quickly, .but saw a face
serious enough for an anxious seat in an
old•time revival.
"Yes," said 11Ir. Dilnmerly, testily.
" My conscience needs instruction also.
What harm is there in a quiet game of
whist ?"
" 1't'oll, I do not know that there it
anything wrong in a 'quiet game of
cards.' per se," commenced Hemstead.
didactically.
' per' who 2 " asked Lottie, i11no•
Gently.
Just then too party at the other table
seemed to explode), but they made the
cause to appear as if coming from them.
soive.S.
' Yes, yes, nephew, speak English
You may find some reasons in Latin,
but emu) 1n English, the only language
of 8001(1 souse."
"Well, resumed Remstead, somewhat'
confused, "Ino not know that a gniol
game, such as you would play here,
would bo wrong iu itself. But the asso-
ciations of the game are bad, and your
example might be iujurious."
" The associations bad!" said Lottie,
lifting her eyebrows. " Cards aro 'asso-
ciated in my mind with father, mother,
and quiet home evenings."
" I havcchiefly 50011 them played by
rough characters, and in questionable
places," he replied quickly.
I'm sorry you visit such places,
she replied in a tone of rebuke.
Even Mr. Hit -malty and his sister
laughed at this remark, a5 coming from
Lottie, while tbo ather5 were almost
convulsed. Belle managed to gasp out,
asaMita :
Mr. Harcourt, if yon don't behave
yourself and play fair, I'll throw aowu
i my hand."
But straightforward Hemstead iu-
croased difficulties by saying, a little
stiffly:
I Hope, Miss Marsden, that you do
not suppose that one of my calling
would frequent places of improper re-
sort."
No, indeed,' sho replied quickly,
" and therefore I was the Moro surprised
when you spoke of witnessing something
in ' questiouablo places.' "
He turned to her with a Iook in which
perplexity and annoyance were mingled,
and said hastily:
" It is different with a man from a
lady. A man is more out in the tv0ldd,
and no matter how careful, cannot help
catching glimpses of the evil substratum
of society. Ono cannot help passmg
through a smoking•car occasioually,
or—"
"Good heavens 1" exclaimed Lottie,
as if startled. " Is a smoleiug•car a
'questionable place?' 7,1r. De Forrest,"
she continued shr ply, "did you not
spend half at hour iu too smoking car
coming up?"
Yes," he replied faintly.
"You surprise me, sir," she said
severely. " Mr. Hemstead declares it a
'questiolable place.' I hopo boreal ter
you 1vi11 have morn regard for your re.
putation."
' Plcaso do not mistake me," said
Hemstead, with increasing annoyance;
" I did not mean to assert guy moral
qualities of smokiug-cars, though with
their filth and fumes, there would bo no
question in your mind about them what.
over, Miss Marsden. What I moult to
say, was, that in such places as smoke
fng•cars, hotel lobbies, and through the
open doors of saloons, are cangAhtglimp-
, ses of a life which we all would unite in
condemning and loathing, and what I
have seen hes abeam; leu] 1110 to 0011133011
• cards with just that kind of life, More-
over, gambling --that fearful god de.
strective vioce-ns almost inseparable
from cards:"
How experiences differ," said Dottie,
reflectively. "7 htovo had but fow
glimpses of the lifo you describe so
e�xeapbieally. With tho bits oC,psetelmetd,
that
yon have Boob. chiefly 111 0oarso,
grimy hands, 1 associate) eurcosy sitting
mom at home, with its (Cowing grate 1
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