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The Brussels Post, 1888-2-24, Page 7r FIB, 24, 1858, 11•11111Pc 11111r JEST 'TO F W 8f C1l e 11iLyon IXemstead joined in the laugh, though inwardly inclined to anathenutt• -- iv.: his big feet. Lottio retreated from By E. F. ROE, further discussion by saying: I have heard that theologians were ArTPOR OF inclined to be doematio in controversy, "I'fear you think X am ovcrgrewu." "And I leas you don't care what I think. Men of your profession aro superior to the world." "Beally, X shall think you aro sarcastic if you talk that way any more." Bat she looked so serious that iAilnrslis 1"1"1)nwAY " " °VEXING and 1 fear that you aro no oxception, he half believed she was in earnest. A c,1.srNUT nuns," BTO. Mr. llematead, So, since I have had "Are ministers like other men?' she the last word, with your permission I asked• with a spice of genuine curiosity in bet question. The venerable pastor of the church which she attended fn New York had not seemed to belong to the same race as herself, His hair was so white, his face so bloodless, his life so saintly, and his sermons so utterly — retire' of the name opinion still. and'moon•light lamp,' as we gall it, foe , r Y submit;' he rejoined, good she cg's eyes aro weak. Ever nolo, k of a aaturedl , "In any case my answer rapt and beautiful sibyl, that pas en- Would li lve u chimed aeen nt Lottie's laugh• Forased." ug a Ilemstoad as well as 11 That is better than your logic," i'ocsab—" even now I see papa and „Frank1 that you should call this mamma and old-fashioned Anntae Jane, Gear little creature- a curl" said Mrs. and poor invalid sacred , all gathered at Marahniont, comforting her still whiu. home in our sacred little snuggery, 'where father allows no visitors to come.' mg p� ecameWhat discourtesy," said Lottie. genuine, and her eyes suddenly The look she had assumed bmoet• " What is the matter with you all 2" ened as the scene called up became real risked Mr. Dimmerly, rising. " From and present to her. With all her faults talking Latin you have got on something she bad a warm heart, and loved hex that I understand as well as Choctaw. kindred sincerely. Lottie, I hope you aro not argued out of But this touch of truth and fueling one of our best old have inherited whist from a dozelish customs. n gen- served her mischievous purpose bettor erasions. So, nephew, with your ]gave than she thought, for it convinced the bonestaninded Ilemstoad that she was or your frown, I must have my game.' just what elle seemed, and his sympathy steadehaeoar say, ver, that much,Mr. bub two em. went out to her at once as a well mean• very painful tales have been presented ing, atrue.bcorted girl. in an impressive manner. You see how He was a little taken aback, however, moved auntie and Fido are still over ono when Lottie, ashamed of her feeling, of them. But come, Mr. Hemstead, you said brusquely: have discharged your duty. If they ...as to gambling with cards, we no lay whist all night and commit suicide more thought of it than sending to a cor. in the morning your skirts are clear, ger grocery for a homk of waiskey, and Shake off the dust of your fent at thein, taking from It a drink all around be. and take a promenade in the hall with beyond her, that bo appeared as dim and unearthly as one of the Christian Fathers. A young theologian on the way bo that same ghostly estate was an object of picivant interest. She had never bad a flirtation with a man of this. character, therefore there was all the zest of novelty. Had she been less bold and fearless, she would have shrunk from it, however, with,00mething of the superstitious dread that many have of jesting in a ehurob, or a graveyard. But there was a trace of hardihood in her present course that just took her fancy. From lack of familiarity with the class, she had a vague impression that ministers differed widely from other men, and to bring one down out of the clouds as a fluttering captive at her feet, would be a triumph indeed. A little awe mingled with her curiosity as she sought to penetrate the scholastic and saintly atmosphere in which she sup- posed even an embryo clergyman dwelt. She hardly knew what to say when, in " Ob, Lottie," laughed her aunt, me. Cousin Julian " (with emphasis on reply to her question, "Are ministers tweet the games." "what an absurd picture you suggest, the word cousin) " your conscience is as like other men 2" he asked; The idea of your stately mother taking tough and elastic as Mr. Hemstead's is 1 " Why not?" tender. You haunt smoking -cars and That is hardly a fair way toanswor." a � 11, is iuk f no morel strange to e of whiskey e," per. other questionable places; so, without ' "You do nob find mo a mytserious sistetl Lottie, gravely, "'than Mr. Rem. serious moral harm, you can gratify being."find you very different from other stand's associations. O4 course I know uncia." that bad and vulgar people play cards, Mrs. Marebmout, who bad listened young men of my acquaintance. What but they also drive horses and walk the with polite weariness to the latter part to me is a matter cd course, is dreadful streets, and do other things which it is of the discussion, now took part in the to yen. Then you ministers have such perfectly proper for us to do." game as quietly as she would pour out strange theological ways of dividing the humanityfrom infant to age—are "X admit, Miss Marsden, that educe• tea at the head of the table. The aunt world up into saints and sinners, and about us." y g and nephew had lived in such different you coolly predict such awful things for ., I cannot imagine a being—not even compelled to admit, however reluctant - Hon and custom make a great difference, P scarcely ( an angel, more para, unselfish, and true 1 that the inner self of everyheart is I have always been taught to look upon nndersbamd each heres that they ether, and both tales fit qui eio a eoollnfessTho sinners y P y y) than my mother; and she unselfish, a woman." tainted and poisoned b evil. The in- cards n- oaay bong great abhorrence. Wool harbored thoughts that were hardly thing seems professional rather than a Miss Lottie," here broke in Be For - the nocen o of childhood is too much like may bo right for you, would be wrong charitable, as is usually the case in re- true," rest "I've played whist to the utmost the harmlessness of the lion's whelps. fo>: mo No," „ and to those actions which have no The tone of deep sadness in which limit of my conscience. Yon will not However loftily andplausibly the sibly some may tsaidifpositive. Lottie, that g y P keep me on the rack any longer." assert the innate goodness and self -sec - right or wrong. If you can prove to me all must be decided by each one's con- to look at him with a little surprise. "Oh, no, Cousin Julian," she relied, tifying P humanity., science, To Mrs. Marchmont, with her " I do not wonder that this mutual sotto voce, "only on the sofa with our Paine wrote against the Bible without that a quiet game rofe cards is wrong, 1 antecedents, a game of whist was one of coolness er laxer ou. If we believe dear Cousin Belle. See, she sits there reading it, not having been able at the won't play any more—at least, 1 ought perplexes Y time to rooure one 1n infidel Paris, not," she added hastily. " Because the most innocent acts of her life. the IIiae, it is the strangest mystery in alone. Good•Uy," and she swept by, P pp But Hemstead was too well pleased existence: with a malicious twinkle in her eyes at those who take the scientific course of some vulgar and fast people gamble wit. with Lottie's arrangement to grieve "You may well put that in. Do the his blank expression. getting the facts first, shako their heads them is roily, .Yoii will take u sleigh• g generality people But Belle saw and understood the despondingly. Itis true that parents ride with us.r;i morrow, and yet loud deeply over what, to his conscience, was onoralit of the eo le believe the discover diversities in their chaldron. 'ecko 's,•'- t; and gamble over horses hall wrong, and soon forgot uncle, aunt, and Bible? But as I tuns saying, from the scene. With a cynical smile she went Some aro temperedi ills, others, the year./ cousin, and even the unlucky lap -dog, very nature of your calling you come to to the piano, and commenced a brilliant f Bear. adsprang up. His ungainliness whose dismal howl had so discomfited live far away from us. Our old minister waltz. Under its spell Addie and Mr. and seem pointed horizontally, if not aced, as was ever the case vt hoc him a moment before. Just such a knows more about dead people than the Harcourt came whirling np the kali, and heavenward; in their natures. Many disappeared, luminary as Lottio Marsden had never living. He knows all about the Jews • Lottie, who had been under restraint so bid fair to stand high, measured by he forgot himself ,n excitement. appeared above his horizon, and her and Greeks who lived eighteen centuries long, could not resist the temptation of earthly standards. But the approving y sounds plausible ebut dyears aagoo] corbit ould no seemed nculnte t trbut this element his own brink. nothing and temp- letting De Forrest carry her off also. thoughts that haunt the nothing art, the evil 9 P' It's only with my consiR, you know," g tH hoz not been almost mythology: &n - can know of ic that as et he ago, but next to s,riawoaeira ,a ...,, .. . za.•yaay.at4 ....vrnz .. things by halves, and so, rooklessly pmeat. W11110 therefore full of geed hn - A throwing aside her qualms, said laugh- Ash.. s, she was l homage had made and.ate eel. - inglqq • im- perious, exacting,and had developed no "I sat think aj ctfpity. You your small degree of nity, She exulted in big t all an object of pity. are Uig enough to take care of yourself." the power and pre-eminence that beauty "And I mean to as far as X can. Bat gave, and often oxertO,1 the former we" e all need help at times. Yoa ]tuow a crueiiy, though itis doe to her to state mouse moo served a lion." she did not realize the pain she caused. "Thank you, Now you have counter- While her own heart slept she could not balaucedall ourflue speeches andcoin• understand the aching disquiet of other: Aliments• 'A mouse erving a Eon it that she toyed with. That it was good Well, roar gently if you please." sport, high -spiced excite nd emu. i '' I'm afraid I appear to you lilts an. Patton for her restless active ve mind other animal that ogee domed a lion's all she considered. As she would never akin, but whose ears, alas, protruded," be neutral in her moral character, re "'That is rather a skilful retreat; but she was one who would either do much 1 imagine that you think yourself a veri- harm or good. Familiarity with the ie table lion." sincerities of fashionable life had bluer "If you insist on my Icing a lion, t ed her sense of truthfulness in !itch musb refer you to anoient mythology, things, and in matters of policy slit I could bide her meaning or expres where one of those overrated beasts is another as well as her veteran mother bold a orouohing captive by Diana." And yet there were great possibilitir. " Well, that is quite a transition. ofood in heir character. She had a First compared to a mouse and then to substratum of sound commonsense. A the moon. I fear that if you did not. ,,vholesome aversenessfor ,leanness, visit ' questionable places' you have No. cowardice and temporizing. Best of all, milted your mind to dwell on the 'gimp sho was not shallow and weak. She tionable' myths of the past." could a peeeiato noble action, and her "Oh, that was in the regular order a? mind kindle at great thoughts if pro - things," he replied. "Before corning t0 sgntod clearly and strongly. the study of theology, we are put through She could scarcely be blamed severely Inc being what elle was, for sho had only responded to the influences that had ever surrounded her, and been monldedby them. Her character was rapidly forming, but not as yet fixed. Therefore, her best chance of escaping a moral deformity as marked as her ex- ternal beauty, was the coming under an entirely different class of influences. However earthly parents may wrong their children by neglect, or by permit- ting in themselves characters that react ruinously, upon those sacredly intrusted to their training, the Divine Father seems to give all a chance some time in life for the achievement of the grandest of all victories, the conquest of self. Whatever abstract theories dreamers may evolve secluded from the world, those who observe closely—who know that is, under the guidance of reverend professors we make the ac. gnaintance of a sot of imaginary beings who, had tbey veritably lived, end in our day, would have soon loud thole way to the penitentiary." ' At the door of which the ' lionand ' Diana' would part company, and so I would lose my gentle 'captive' and be. 00m0 as disconsolate as auntie would have been bad you trodden on the re. verse extremity of her pet." "011, pardon me, bat Diana was an oxootiou to the rest." ,�M�„ " batter or worse." • "Dotter, of course. She was a trifle cruel, though, was she not?" " You have been proving me very tender•hearted." " So every woman should be." "I doubt whether you know much save the mangled corpse of a young of uncertainty made observation all the snicido. IID was an adept at cards, ane more interesting, The wide old h4Lll, for aught I know had learned sho game without the embarrassment of observant as your brother might, at home. But eyes, was just the place to learn some - away among strangers at the West, that thing more definite of one who thus far vouneknowledge preyed fatal. He was ia• haddazzledand puzzled, while she staecd into playing by soma hen thalerst strongly gained hiinterest. True, staled all his own moves thou that Addie and Mr. Harcourt were walking committed his trust. Had lost every. Addie them. but theyseemed so ab - thing but life, lie threw that also clown sorbed in each otheas not to notice the abyss. Ho might have been living them. He felt a curious thrill when a to -day if ho had known as little about little hand lighted, like a snowflake, up - cards as I do." on his arm, but soon increased its pres- His manner was so . that, the sure with a sort of cousinly confidence. gLobate called so tragicc, that even He looked inquiringly into the face ottio's red cheek paled a little, and the gigglers became quiet- She only said: turned up to him as they passed under the lamp, and thought, n its guileless B it the He was vary weak and f 1 beauty it reminds e of the clear can't understandDie lakes that I have seen in this w world is largely such people." olish, made up of semen." weak and foolish, who need safe• rsHis figure was true, but not as he guards rather than temptations. And history would seem to prove that oveu understood it; for Lottie's face, like the the wisest and boat aro at times ' wonls lake, would then reflect anything that and fool,sh.' S think the knowledge of ikon tits, while her heartened un the of. her remai ed card•playing can result in no harm to hidden. He thought he saw herself, you, shielded as you may bo, but it but in truth only false and vanishing might to your brother. Miss Marsden;' images, Still, like the mirroring water, asked he abruptly, "do you know bots her skilful feigning could make the many professional gamblers theca gra in images seem very • sal. Hemstead, with the world'?" his boundless faith in woman, believed "No." -� ed still more. "I do not remember the estimated all he saw and hop number acanrately, but it is very large. They often revel in wealth, but they do nob ma•w it out of each other. It is CHAPTER VI.from the unwary, and the ' weak and foolish,' who think they can win money n LITTLE PAGAN. playing a nix a e. misted to win just enough to turn their heads and thou are robbed. Remorse, despair, and suicide too often follow Cards aro the usual means employed in these great wrongs. I should be sorry to see a young brother of mine, who was soon to face the temptations of the ootid, go away with a knowledge that has been the ruin of so many." This was bringing the question home to Lottio inc way that she did not ex - poet Her heedless, wilful, impulsive brother, 111e dear torment of her life, was lust the one an artful knave could mislead. For a moment or two sho sat silent and thoughtful All waited her ans'ver save Mr. Dimmerly, who, with- out his whist, had dropped off Into e doze as was his wont. Then her de. aided character asserted itself, and she moment. ra] for them aka since spoke do roe believe in the safety of ignorance. If a young man is weak and bad enough to gamble, he will do it with something also, if not cards. From what I bear, men bet and gamble with all uncertainties. The most innocent things are carried to vulgar and wicked excess. You can't shield one from With- out if lacking the will and power to say No. I think: it will be safer and wiser, and better in the ood, if a thing is right per se, as you say, to do it, and if wrong not to do at. To Inc. a game of Garda is no more than a game of chockers,.or a stroll in a garden." In his earuestnees to reply, Hemstead took a stop forward and trod upon,, not e lady's dress this time, but the tail of Airs, Marchmont's pet dog. As may be imagined, his tread was not faiey,like, and there was a yelp that 'was the echos. Blr. Dimmerly started out of his sleep with a snort like the billet; of a ram's horn before Jericho, aril p1 shrug his geld spectacles to the top of H bald bead, stared in bewilderment o the forma convulicd with,nei'rlmetlt: °tial! talions would bo worse than Sanscrit to she whispered apologetically to Hem- W hat mo er him—harder to understand than the nn. stead. palled as she has seen the face of her solved problems of mathematics. What He stood in the doorway for a few still infant child inflamed with rage, and docs such a man know about the life of moments and watched her graceful the passionate desire for revenge. The a young lady in society? That which iinure with a strange and growing in chubby hand is not raised always to influences me would seem less than ee est Whether safnE or sinner P Y er blood caress, but too often to strike. As mind nothing to him." Using so em haticall oP flesh and blood and heart develops, darker and meaner "I think you misjudge your pastor. was exceedingly fascinating. The Iran- traits unfold with every natural grace. 2, you became well acquainted with him, sitlon from the cloister -like seclusion of There is a canker -worm 1u the bud, and you might find a heart overflowing with his seminary life to this suburb of the unless it is taken out there can never be sympathy." gay world was almost bewildering; and a perfect flower. "I can no more get acquainted with Lottie Marsden was one to stir the thin But Mr. and Mrs. Marsden thought of him than if he dwelt on Mount Olympus. blood and withered heart of the coldest none of these things. Tho mother re - If. I were only a doctrine, hemight study anchorite. The faint perfume which ceived her estimate of life and duty mo up and know something about me. she seemed to exhale like a red rose- from current opinion on the Avenue. But there is so mush Scab and blood bush in June, was a pleasing exchange She complacently felicitated herself about mo that I fear I shall always be for the rather musty and scholastic at- that she kept up with the changing distasteful to ministers." mos here in which he so long had dwelt. mode quite as well, if not better than " I assure you, Miss Marsden, I find As she glanced by as lightly as a bird ou most women of wealth and fashion. Sho you more interesting than some doe• the wing, she occasionally beamed upon managed so well that she excited the trines." you are young. You aro on a him with one of her dangerous smiles. admiratien of some, and the envy of f g She then little thought or cared that his more ; and so was content. As for Mr. vacation, and can for a time descend to honest and unoccupied heart was as Marsden, between his business, his trifles, but you will grow like the rost. ready to thaw and blossom into love as newspaper, whist, and an occasional As it is you speak very guardedly, and a violet bank facing the south in spring. evening at the club, or some entertain - intimate that I would be as nothing He soon had a vague consciousness that ment or public meeting that he could compared with other doctrines." be was not doing just the prudent thing, not escape, his life was full and running " What is a doctrine, Miss Marsden 2" and therefore rejoined his aunt and over. He never had time to give a " Oh, bless rue, I don't know exactly; uncle. Soon after, he pleaded the thought to the flue theories about his a sort of abstract summing up of either weariness of his journey and retired. chidreu, nor to the contradictory facts our qualities or God's qualities. The As he was about to mount the stairs often reported from the nursery. But only doctrine I even half understand is Lottie whirled by and whispered : as year after year he paid the enormous that of 'total depravity,' and I some- ' times fear it is true." " I think you aro a great deal more interesting than the ' doctrine of total depravity,' " said Hemstead, laughing. " Perhaps you will come to think I am byf game. They are per synonymous with it." The joke had now taken a phase that De Forest did not relish. When Lottie's by-play was present, and she was tele. graphing him with her beautiful eyes, it was excellent. But to sib with his back to the door leadiug into the hall, vis•a- vis to Mr. Dimmerly's puckered face, and give close attention to the game, was a trying ordeal to one who only consulted has own pleasure. And'yet he feared he would offend Lottie did he not remain athie post. She was a despotic little sovoreign,andhe felt that he must use all address until she was safely brought to the matrimonial altar. He comforted himself, however, with the thought that she was gonerous, and when he acted the role of martyr sho usually rewarded him with a greater show of kindness, and so got through au hour with indifferent grace. But this purgatorial horn to him, was keenly enjoyed by Lotti and Hemstead, though by each dor different reasons. "I fear you think me a giddy, way- ward girl," said Lottie gently. "In frankness, I hardly know what to think," re plied Hemstead. "Frank is your name, is it nob ?" "Yes." "It seems appropriate. I hope you won't judge me too harshly." "The danger is the other way, I fear," he said laagbing. " Well, ono of your profession ought to be charitable, But 'might naturally expect to be disapproved of by cue so good and wise as you aro." " Why do you think mo ' good and wise?'' " Iieoauso you are a minister if for no other reason." " I am also a mar." "Yos" she said innocently, "You aro quite grown up.' Ile looked at bee quickly; her denim face puzzled him, and ho said " No fear. I have seen too much of you for that already" ' What redeeming features have you seen 2" He looped at her earnestly for a mo• ment, and she sustained his gaze with an expression of such innocent sweet. noss that ho said, a little impulsively : "All your features redeem yon from that charge." "Oh, fie 1" she exclaimed, "a pun and flattery in one breath.' " I do not mean to flatter. Although in some respects you puzzle me, I am very clear and positive as to my feeling of gratitude. Whilemy aunt feels kindly toevarif me, she is formal. It seemed to me when I camp out of the cold of the wintry night, I found within a more chilling coldness. But when you gave mo your warm hand and claimed some- thing lilte kindred, I was grateful for that which does nob always accompany, kindred—genuine kindness. This feel- ing was greatly increased when instead of making my diffidence and awkward- ness a theme of ridicule, you evinced a delicate sympathy, and with graceful toot angqgostod a better courtesy to others. Do you think then, that, after this glimpse down such a beautiful vista in your nature, I can associate you with total depravity'? It was plain to you, Miss Marsden, that I had seen little of society, but you acted as if that wore my misfortune, not fault. I think the impulse that leads one to try to shield or protect another who for the time may bo weak or defonceleas, is always noble," If Lottio had shown a littlo before that she had a heart, she now became painfully aware than sho had te eon - science, and it gave her some severe twinges dining this speeoh. Fora Ina morn she wished she deserved his com- mendation. But she was not ono to do "Don't think me past praying for." andrapidly increasing bills for nurses, The slang she used in jest came to goueer'naates, Italian music masters, and !him, with his tendencies and convic- fashionable schools,he sincerely thought tions, like an unconscious appeal and a that fow men did as much for his chin divine suggestion. He was utterly nn- dreg as ho. conventional, and while readily unbend- Of course, a lady from whom society lug into mirthfulness, life to bim was expected as much as from M1s.Marsdn, an exceedingly serious thing. As the could not give hor time to hor children. eye of artist and poet catches glimpses In the impressible period of infancy and of beauty where to others are only hard early childhood, Lottio and her brother, lines and plain surfaces, so strong re- and an invalid sister older than Herself, had bean loft chiefly to the charge of servants. But MTs. M&rsden's con- soionco was at rest, for she paid the highest prices for hor French and Ger- man erman nurses and governesses, and of course, "had the besb" sho said. Thins the children lived in a mond-foreign at- msporo, and early naught a " pretty foreign accent," whiole their mamma delighted to exhibit fu the parlor ; and tit thio same tune they became imbued with foreign morals, which they also put on exhibition disagreeably often. When throe h glaring faults the stylish ligious temperaments are quick to see providences, intimations, and loadiugs. Hemstead went to his room with steps that deep thought rendered slower and slower. Ile forgot his weariness, and sat down by the fire to think of one known but a hew brief hours. If there aro those who can coolly predict "awful things" of the faithless and godless, Hemstoad was not one of them. The you, girl who thought him a good sub- ject for jest and ridicule, be regarded with profound pity. To his mind, ac- customed to Bible figures, it was as if a lamb had strayed from the fold, and nursery -maid was dismissed, the oU ee- was sporting while the sunlight lasted • 1' f tl " t Ili encu office g ' e In ie0 1)e). o h0 1n Hrinlc i would s foreign ou o et it , had nn corner a wilderness wherearoma the 0 inawao cower, and die in terror amid the horrors waif just imported, who at a slightly n of coming night, Her utter uncon• creased sum was ready to tmdortako Wornness of danger had to him the the charge ,and he mightadd the corrnp- elements of deepest pathos. tion, Of the children in the moat ap- While perplexed -by contradictions in proved style. Sho was at once engaged, hor manner and words, he concluded and to this stranger and alien the clul- tbat she was what she seemed, a girl of Bron wore committed almost wholly, kindly, frank , tell her unusual force of mind, fr Y while. Mrs. 14Iassden would and full of noble impulses, but whose afternoou visitors how fortunate sho religious nature was but slightly de- had been in obtaining a new nurse with veloped. He at that time weld leave oven a "Rimer accent.'Tho probabili• been shocked and indignant had he ties wero that her doubtful 0000111 known the truth, Her natural tendon• was the pnvost thing about her. Some - cies had been good. Her positive na• times, as the result of this tutelage be - tore would novel waver weakly along carne ntoro apparent, even MrstIarsdm the uncertain boundary of good and had misgivings. But then her wealth- evil, as was the case with Bolle Parton. fest andmostfashionable neighbors were She wasone who would be decided and pursuing the same courso with precis progressive in one direction or the other, the sou result; and so she iuust bo but /Ow was clearly on the sinister side right of truth and moral lovcliucss. Ste. If Lottie had been born pellucid as tE rounding influences had been adverse. drop of tlow, as some claim, the world She bad yielded to them, and they had rob have remained so long, oven, in tli carrriecl her farther astray tlinn ono a£ vrrn.I a cautions and loss fornfblo tmnper. ee a 0 g, H N . CD csD 0 I—; Cre CO O c� O h ieee 0 Go oe deeel J