The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-24


Keep 1t quiet. You won'tthrea'en mc' couli
not get word of disclaimer in edgewaSs, so
wrathful was he. IL Is more than ever my
opinion that you are nothing but an advehture-.
saw something OF your inventive powers then,
Iememberp
There was no invention about II. Mr.. Guest.
l was, and am still, studying at Ok ord.'
Miss Guests face had been entreating her
father this long while. Il think Mr.. Lvesay Is
to be believed, papa che halt-timidly inter
posed.
Frances, 1 am surprised you should have so
little sense OF pTopriety.'
Miss Guest, wincirg under her fathers Sc
verify, and reddening violently, made minute
study OF her bouquet l meaut after THIS to
exact price for the afftont put upon me, and
so again recovered my temper, ana strove Tor a
with what wii you be satisfied, Mr.. Guest?
With Mr.. Stopiord's wordP
Il don vouch for all Mr Robert Stooford,s
acquantances.' Poor Bob! ii he had only
heard.
/ made q gesture OF impatience. .
lis there no one from your neighborhood here
Mr.. Livesay p asked Mrs. Mason, who would be
only too pleased to have me verified, aud yet
retained ber caution. My btotner is naturally
desrCus OF proof; YOU iced not take 10 as
pers onul matter There is Lady Duncan Knox p
Lady Duncan? Oh, am quite ready to be
confronted with Lady Duncan Knox A little
scolDiul allowed myself to be, now that saw
my way out of the muGdle. 'pll go into the
ballroom, If you please and you separate your
self from melt shall all be plain now--and call
Lady DunCan's attention TO me. l think you
Will he satisfied Mr.. Guest.'
OF course the proof rendered was unlmpeach-
able; and seeing me so confident, Mr.. Guest
cooled down with rather ludicIous rapidity,
and indeed was altogether nonplussed. Like
great many people, who mostly ind themselves
in the end in predlcnment because of it, he
had determined, with or against reason, that a
certain thing acds to be. He had decided that l
was an impostor: and now that il appeared
mere than doubtful, he was not very COM
Portable.
1T is so difficult to know whom to believe
he said, almost apoogetically, as he led the way.
Miss Guest with Mrs. Msson, followed us at
short interval. l caught a side-glimpse of her,
talking with, for her unusual impetuosity TO
her aunt. Once in the room the proceeding
showed itself TO Mr.. Guest yet more equivocal.
Really, we might. think, dispense with any
test,' said he condescendingly.
prefer that Lady Duncan should be spoken
to. ! insist upon it, indeed / hadn't half
done with MIR. Guest, you see. might want
him again.
AT once more assured aud more uncomfort-
able, he went across 10 my lady; l standing
alone tor some minutes Outwardly with an air
OF unconceTn, inWardly with an absurd sense of
being surveyed. Soon became aware that Mr..
Guest was guiding the LADY through the crowd
10 whele stood.
How do you do, Mr.. Livesayp said she.
coming up with extended hand, how do you
| do? Mr.. Guest happened to mention your
name, and | begged HIM to escort me to YOU,
| We are only just from Rome, and l am dying
| for home news. Is Mr. Norris going to stand
| for the county,
Lady Duncan Knox was a merry vouble
| woman of fve-and-tnirty or SO; very friendly
| with my mother, and relative of my fathers
| besides.
i don't think Mr.. Norris will stand,
Then your father, perhapsP said she, with
| immense interest.
No, / think not. My father prefers his pre-
| sent seat for the borough
And when shall see my dear Mrs. Livesav
IN town? Not before the House sits, fearY
| i suppose not; my mother is lot fond of
town, yos know. They are arranging the sets;
| lady ship?
Me ?-Im engaged-fve deep. Perhaps a
| later one.' And she moved away.
| Hooked hastily over my shoulder to where /
knew Frances Guest was, and upon impulse sue
smiled back her pleasure. l was making
| towards her when her father detained me.
MIR. Livesay, don't know how to frame my
| excuses to YOU for my rudeUeSs. 1t is little
atonement l can make except in the way of
words.
None is needed, SIR answered promptly;
| because, OF course, wasn't going to make it a
| quarrel now. And indeed ne hadn't spoken
badly. We are all liable TO slight mistakes Mir.
! Guest
Il can't forgive myself so easily; am afraid
! was too much annoyed to be just. We do
| hear OF such deCeptiOns nowadays that really
! toek the alarm too quickly. 1t seems almost an
! insult after what has passed. but if at any time
! you are down at Southwich, and you like to
| call at Cullerton House, you will be sure of a
! welcome, and-you will do me favor.'
| thanked him heartily, and proved my sim
| cerlty by escaping TO Miss Guest as soon rs
! politeness allowed. | found it would be late
! before she could give me dance, but, half in
! pique, i stood out un3il my turn came.
you are not dancing much Tonight she said,
| as we took our places.
| Sometimes like the other thing best.'
Pm afraid, said she, in a tone of vexation.
its because the evening has been so disagree
| able for YOU
FPS very good for you to distress yourself
about me-. But it has not been altogether
| dlsasreeabe, indeed
| / could not help speaking significantly;
! somehow, the tone had got into my voice, and
/ / could not get it out
What you did, Mr.. Iivesay, you did in kind
! ness, too.'
But 90 take some blame to myself You
! see, Miss Guest it is not rig ht for man to put
himself in a false position. At east-weI-G
don't know, I'm sure: l once argued with my
But you did it in the kindest way, and with
! the kiIdest Intention
Well you know, II becomes really pleasant to
accuse oneself when one has so charming an
words of the sort. She blushed, but she had
such q staid, demure way OF listening to gallant
speeches that really one was tempted on to words
mole and more meaning.
y say, weren't you flirting last night, Livesay?
said Bob next morning, striving to organize Ger.
tain pieCemeal IecOlectons.
l put him off with some light speech, for you
may he sure l should not make his confidence
reciprocal. But l don't mind admitting now
that lett the Masons' ball with very gravely
! damaged anatomy. / must have been hit deeply,
| Tor the frost broke up, and l still preferred
! Sussex for the remainder OF the vacation. How
! ever, il is reassuripg TO know that could take
interest in the furtherance and enjoyment OF the
! d'fit rent social cOurlesies between Hetton and
| Grill Hail. Nor was this ALL On the next occa-
sion of seeing Mr.. Smith Pentland l expressed
such pleasant remembrances OF my last autumn's
! VISIT that he invited me TO repeat 1t in the
coming one. But am almost ashamed TO say