The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-11-04
The StOckbroker at Dinglewood.
III.

more important In 1t. But sOmeLlmeS'
no doubt, it does happen so. The
life of the Greshams was made up Of
balls and parties; they were never
alone; Dipgiewood blazed out to the
skies every evening, and the carriages
flashed out and in, and one kind oil
merry-making or another went on all
day. Lottie Stoke was there con-
tinually. and there grew up a curious
friendship-half strife, half accord
between Gerald and herself. He
had nothing to do with the
business, as it turned out,
and consequently was not hall
so rich. But still heswas very well off
L don't know what it is about people
in business which gives them 4 kind
Of primitive character; they are less
sophisticated than the rest of US,
though possibly not more simple. The
Greshams took a simple pleasure In
pleasure for itself. without making it
u mere medium for other things, as
most of us do. They we're fond OF
company, fond of dancing, de-
lighted with picnics, and even
rior motive, like children. They
were fond even of their wealth,
which gave them so many pretty and
so many pleasant things. They en-
jOyed it with all their hearts, and
took an innocent, foolish delight in it,
which spiteful people set down to
purse pride. but which, in re-
atty, was more like the open
satisfaction of children in their
dear possessions. Gerald was a
very different being; / never saw him
without feeling that his visit was not
a mere visit. but had some motive in
it. Before LOttie reused him to talk
aud battle with her, he would look on
at their great parties with a curious,
anxious, dissatisfied air. as If he sus-
pected or feared something. / think
poor Lottie went further than she
meant to go; she grew interested her
self, when she meant only to interest
him, and was more excited by his
presence than he was by hers. They
carried on a kind of perpetual duel,
very amusing to the spectators, and
there was 90 doubt that he liked it.
But he liked Lucy's funny little shy
speeches too; aud he had some inter-
est more absorbing, more serious than
either, which made his face very grave
when the two girls were not there.
Harry Gresham had sometimes the
air of getting impatient ofhis brothers
presence. Now and then they passed
my house walking together, and not
enjoying their walk, according to APP
pearauees. Once as / stood at my
gate. | heard Harry say sharply, In
any case, Ada has her settlement, with
a defiant air. And Gerald's face was full
of remonstrance and expostulation. |
could not help taking a great interest.
IN these young people, and feeling a
little anxious at the general aspect of
affairs.
Things were in this state when the
ball was given on Mrs. Gresham's
birthday. | had nobody to take
charge of, for a wonder, and nothing
10 do but to look On. The entire
suite of rooms was thrown open,
ablaze with light and sweet with
flowers. There were great banks of
geraniums in every corner where they
could be piled, and the whole neigh
borhood had been ravaged for roses.
The room in which | took refuge was
the smallest of all, which had been
Old Lady Sarah's boudoir in old
times, and was a little removed from
the dancing, and cooler than the rest.
1t had one little projecting window,
not large enough to be called n bay,
which locked out upon the terrace
just above the spOt where the
old couple used to sit in
the Summer days. 1t was open,
aud the moon streamed in, making a
curious contrast with the floods of
artificial light. Looking out from it,
you could see the Thames, like a
silver ribbon, at the bottom of the
slope, and the little island and the
little house cleaning out white. with
intense black shadows. Lottie Stoke
came up to me while L stood at the
window, and looked out over my
shoulder. 1T looks like the ghost
of the river and the Ghost of the
island" she said, putting her pretty
arm round my waist with an agitated
grasp. " | almost think we are ghosts
tOo."
"A curious moment to think So"
said Gerald Gresham. My back was
turned to them, so that L did not see
him, but there sounded something
like a thrill Of excitement in the half
sneer Of his voice.
Not curious at ALL" said Lottie;
''how many of us are really here, do
YOU think? [ know where Mrs. Null
grave is! She is outside on the ter
race with old Lady Sarah, listening to
the old peoples talk; though L I'M
holding her fast all the same. We
are in all sorts of places, the real
halves of us; but III doubles do the
dancing and the laughing, and eat the
ices quite as we'll. 1t Is chilly to be
a ghost" said Lottie, with a laugh;
come in from the window; | am sure
there is a draught there"
There is no draught,' said Ger
aid; you are afraid of being obliged
to 90 into particulars, that is all"
II am not in the least afraid
said LOttie. There is Mrs. Dam
eral. She is in the nursery at
the Recto-y. though you think
Won have her here. She Is
Counting Agatha's curl-papers, to see
If there is the right number; for chill
dren are never properly attended to
when the mothers eye Is wanting. L
don't know where you are, Mr.. Ger
aid Gresham that would be too deli
cate an inquiry. But look, your
brother has gone upon Change,
though he is Ia the middle of his
guests. He looks as like business as
if he had all the Reduced COnsols on
his mind; he looks as if-good heav-
ensl" 841
Lottie stopped, and her tone was
so full of alarm aud astonish-
ment that | turned suddenly
round TO look too in a fright
Harry Gresham was standing al
at the door; he had a yellow envelope
IN his hand, another of those terrible
tel grams which are always bringine
misery. He had turned around nm