Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-07-15

given IuIl ldCliHlca IOi uOi'b 'ho NiooSASS"
bic Office of giving the cold shoulder, The
Baltmoriaa appeared like an interested
spectator, and was as unmoved when passed
by supposed friend without the slightest
notice, as if he we're newspaper reporter,
anxious to see the act ana note the TACT.
Into the parlor during the evening he
partic, larly pressed his way. II n bevy Of
CAV fellows surrounded Miss Mounijoy, he
worked his way to the circle, and, at last,
received from that lady of Sappho-like lips
his discharge. She did mt st gracefully and
crushingly turn her back upon him not
three days after his reno val from the second
floor.
Miss Dumain be sought, confident that
one 30 artless certainly would be above the
hollow-hearted cre wd, and still give him her
friendly greeting. Vain conception The
artess girl was coz indeed and when at
length be cornered her, it was to his discom,
future. She sudd <1iy turned and forced her
way past him, without even one of her down
cast glances. On the contrary, her eyes
were fixed fully on his face, and plsinly
said, Sir We are Strangers
Next he tried ra,tle-headed Miss Lam
BERT and she ratified on quite as usual /;
but Watson soon discovered that the rattle
was not for him.
Strangely enough, the proud and exc'u-
sive Miss Percy nnbent somewhat from her
lofty carriage, and gave him welc' me
but over it all was n shadow-a fear, appar-
emily, which made Miss Percy shy rather
tina. naughty and Watson began to catch
glimpses of character beneath all that con-
L Il l.. "a toI
to find.
OF course the wealthy Miss Oramanes
would scorn his further friendly relations.
Her rooms we're near his own second-iioor
apartments she daily, all the season, had
encountered him in his walks through the
long corridor and must have been one Of
the first to learn of his fallen fortunes. In
deed. lie half surmised that her dressing
maid had made special inquiry into his
case, seeing her in confidential confab with
the hoor-sewardess and room-girls. So
Watson, with "A reserve of pride not enter
tanned with others, kept from Miss Oro-
Uanes.
On that third evening Of his changed for
tunes, when the Sappho of the Cascades
annihilated him, greatly to the pleasure OF
the Young "bloods" around her, Watson
wandered aw " at length upon the piazzas ;
then up through the long, deserted halls,
restless, thoughtful, digesting the notes
which he had been taking Of huran nature,
and trying TO fix the relative value ola man
without money. 1t was the crystalline truth
he WAS learning-not the truth in mere solu-
ton, sometimes clear, sometimes opaque,
but always thin, but the precipitated, hard,
angular, clearcut crystals of experience,
mined in unexpected places. Had he re-
mained upon the second floor, never would
he have obtained the gems; the mere solu-
ton only would have repaid his keenest
search. But that m grafton to the upper
spaces had given him wondrous lens his
horizon was so immeasurably extended
that barring the fact that his bill was un-
paid, he-was the barpier, because wiser for
The upward reverse.
Suddenly, in his solitary promenade, he
confronted the hciress. She was walking
arm Iii arm with young Evans, of her set,
in confidential communication, it would
appear, else why should they have been in
that long hall alone? asked Watson, as.
with glance, he took in the situation.
ne uGttlHE was Il SUI liisC w o'lh i'di''S o.
and the inciralon Of both men was to pass
without recognition Evans, indeed, trown-
ed Watson flushed in anger, and with head
erect bore down and passed his enemies.
like a suspended or cashlered officer of tie
line, const iouS OF his soldierly qualities. but
equally conscious Of bis altered circum-
stances.
Too high he held lis head in fact for he
caught no soft glance from the lady's eye.
and ,rod SO firmly upon the trail OF her
elegant evening dress as to cause a percep-
tible crack OF seams Il, the skirt pleats.
Exams turned with IA sudden anger.
.Doh !! he his ell.
Watson passed on, staying to make no
apology, but he heard the badly say:
.Fie, II Is no,hing,' al d | e was nscious,
too. that she was locking at him wonder
ingly.
An hour later Watson was down on the
plaza again, evid nIly On the quest for
some person, and he found his man ere
long. Evans was the gentleman wanted.
Going up to him Watson said:
MIR Evans, what was the word you used
at the time ,rod on the trail OF Miss Orc.
names dress 2
i SAID dolt, sill and ] say it again. We
have hitherto supposed you TO be gentle
man, ard now learn that You cannot pay
your bills : and he laughed, half in scorn
and halt in humor OF the fact SO opportunely
given him to crush another.
The hot blood flew to Watson's face: his
hands were clenched as il to strike q, but, by
a strong effort, he mastered his passion.
Evans, no gentleman would haze uttered
that sentence. Only coward would fm G
ano,her's poverty i'll his face. Miss Oro-
manes. educated rs she has been to give
virtue to wealth, might find in my inability
10 pay my hotel bill n justification Tor
dropping my acquaintance but | doubt If
ever she would have countenanced incivility.
| owe her an apology for my seeming rude
ness. and will give it to her, but you l hold
in too supreme contempt even to exchange
words with you. Hereafter do not speak
to me, for If you do shall slap your face,
even in the presence of the ladies' Aud
the speaker went his way to his attic room.
This scene, overheard by several gentle
men and ladies, soon was the talk of the
rooms. Evans, being recognized leader
ot very arislocratic circle, soon convened
others of the set, and Major Snow was, ere
long, summoned to be informed that he
must '.clear out Watson'-Evans offering
to pay the deli, quent's bill.
And the news flew throughout the par
lors and promenades that Major Snow was
to give MIR. Robert Watson of Baltimore,
his walking papers in the morning.
An observer of the scene between the
her two gentl men on the piazza was Miss
Oromanes. Having at once retired to room
10 repair the accident to her skirt. tie lady
donned another dress, and, to enjoy half an
hour undis,urbed, stole out upon the plea
SAINT open weather promenade. She thus
was witness of what transpired. She, too,
retired, in evident excitement, to her rooms;
and when her maid, half an hour later,
brought the house-new that the Major was
to clear Watson out in the morning, the
heiress, with perfect deliberat!on, but with
Frightened color in her cheeks, and a clear
sparkle IN her beautiful eyes. sat down to
her desk and indted the following note:
"Major Snow will please take no action
in the matter of the difference between Mr..
Watson and Mr.. Evans. l overheard
every word that passed between the gentle
men, and fully Justify Nj. Watson. Were
it not an insult to him, | would offer to be-
come responsible for any amount which
he may not now be able to pay; but know
that he is thorough gentleman, and would
equally scorn to wrong you or to leave your
house at the dictation of others.