Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-17
KENNETH.

There was fortunately a mirror over the
chlmney-piece; 50, while Kenneth spoke, he
could enfOrce the words by all kinds of express
sive and appropriate pantomme, and make
them all the prouder BY casual glances at the
face and figure which the glass gave back
standing sixty -feet-two, broad and well built,
Eight curls, under which the blue ewes shone
Keen and steady, Ii was a face and figure no
man would blush To meet so. But it was a face
mat toid 20 readily the inner thought, that
Kenneth Goring ought to have felt some shame
IN meeting IT with the look Of scorn and con-
tempt which il bore then
- And what on earth is YOUR reason for want
ing me to go, mother" he said, throwing an
open letter upon the table, and turning Iszily
10 bright little elderly lady, who was busily
sorting papers at her desk.
hou know my reason. Kenneth she an
swered, without stopping IN her employment
Just as vel as !, know them myself. I shall
"By the powers, you are hot and proud
about it," said Kenneth.
=. Hot and proud, do you say?" retorted his
"Indeed do" was the reply "why don't
Won listen 10 fellow quietly?"
"SPesk to me quietly, and viii listen with
Then once more, >" said he, "what are your
reasons for wishing me to go? There, that was
quiet, I'm sure"
- My brother has asked you twenty times,
Kenneth, and il seems 80 unkind and unreal
sonable to go on refusing as you do-too proud
go never mind that said Kenneth; "I1l
bear the blame of unre asOnsbleness sooner than
undergo the visit. If he had stayed as he was,
would have gone as used TO go, willingly
enough; but when he made such donkey OF
himself, and married that lsnguid, bad-tem-
pered beauty, i made a resolution 10 keep a
county between Us henceforth."
Perhaps, when you know her, Ken,
Il never will know her." said Kenneth;
IS Her daughter may be a nice girl" continued
bis mother, land you are nearly cousins, you
know"
Not very nearly, / think answered Ken
meth. with an OninOuS curl in the small, thick
mcuStache, "and never can be nearer, that's a
blessing. OF course she is her mother over
:. Boys are not" said Mrs. Goring, with
twinkle IN her eyes.
lyon wish they were, suppose" said Ken
meth. with light little laugh, ''for then would
he ANXIOUS TO 90 10 Erstone."
shall not answer the letter until to-mor
row, said his mother, quietly. Bring your
answer home from mess. please"
- have given il to you a hundred times,
mother" he exclaimed. What an obstinate lit
tie lady YOU are!r
As Kenneth left the room Mrs. earrings face
took It's usual happy expression, and she put the
letter that had caused this argument Into her
desk, mutteTing to herself with an irrepressible
little smile, - What trouble should have with
him n he were really "a obstinate as he thinks
be l.. But he has held ont . dreadfully long
time about this
Mrs. Goring was quite right in the co citation
which called up that smile, for at night, when
Kenneth came in from mess, and found her
awaiting him, he said as he bent to kiss her,
- Ill 20 mJSher, il you like. My leave begins
on Thursday, and may as well go at once,-I
shall be back the sooner. You see N bent upon
10 this time; i wish il were over"
She wisely refrained from arguing the point
then atall, and Turned the conversation, while
strange 10 say, that he talked that nj yht,
looking very handsome in the open scarlet
Jacket, his face bright and earnest, Kenneth
never gave even one Careless glance in the
mirror opposite; be might indeed have forgot
ten IT. very existence.
There had been q fair at Colebridge on that
thursday morning, and as Kenneth GOring
walked down the station platform, he noticed
that great many people were going by this
tTaini not that they would interfere with him,
ne thought, As they made lively assaults on the
thrd-clsss carriages, a set OF boisterous roughs
with whips In their hands, and a general Odor
OF stable about them.
There was always a good deal of curiosity
about Kenneth GOring. High he held his
head, the blue eyes missed very little what was
going on below them; and now they were al
most uncOnsciously busy with these drOvers,
Tor whom he felt kind of conte mptuous pity a.
ihey eagerly crowded into the close, dusty,
thiTd-class Carriages.
I've put your pormantor into the van sir,
and the gun and fishing basket" said the
groom. - rhe rod you will keep with you in
the carriage, suppose, sig. The smoking com
partment Is empty, sir, and the train doesn't
stop until it reaches Liston junction"
All right said Kenneth. "You may 90,
Barry"
The groom looked back, astonished to see his
mast sui standing at that end OF the station.
Fearful OF his disobedience, he yet turned back
10 say hurriedly, " Trains just about to start,
sir
know. Goodbye, Barry"
And kenneth, leaning on his rod, still stood
The blue eyes were busy now-fOr they hal
CauEht sight OF a young woman, lame and
s,ckly' huTTying towards the train, and towards
The farmers men, who were still laughing and
talking inside the open doors, and still coming
Up, more struggling nov, and forcing them
selves IN. Porter, seeing girl hurrying on
a. last a. her lameness would allow her, went
before her, and opened secend-class carriage.
She drew back timidly, showing him the tick et
IN her hand lie shut the door and moved 20
another " All right" Kenneth heard him
say, plenty Of room in here. Move up,
But the men inside, TO whom these last txo
WORDS were addressed, shuffied together, and
declared there was no room at all, while she
Shrank back TO the porter's side Just then A
man at the back of the carriage-Kenneth had
dIa"n nearer, and could see il all distinctly
nOw-leaned forward, and said, in tsne far
more repellant than the rude ones had been
Let her come in; shes my pretty Jane. We
want her to amuse US"
: Get in. miss" said the porter. hurriedly
There's the whistle No time for anything
more"
=. No time for anything moreno time even
Tor thought" Kenneth stood between the
woman and the carriage, full OF grinning men,
and spoke few words to the porter, taking
from Der trembling hand her green ticket, and
giving into IL his white one. "Your carriage Is
higher up he said aloud, he sprang in
among the rabble. q" You have but a second to
90 ~ IN" Before they were of, Kenneth had
caught the pleading, bewildered look of thanks
mile or two out Of the station, when thew
seemed 70 have recovered their breath the men
began making merry at kenneths expense
" IL vas shame for band boxes 10 be allowed
10 take up their seats like men !" said one and
another wondered As 'ow he could tear himself
from Pretty Jane" and another, with q grim
smile at the fishing rod, was =. Thankful as he'd
lived to travel with a beadle as carried his pole
in bag"
Kenneth maintained naughty silence, until
one young wag, with grimy hands, began feel
ing him, being oppressed with doubts rs II
whether he were real. Then Kenneth turned
on him pair OF cool, inq uiring eyes.
Are you poor tramping fellows" said he.
wanting an odd job in the hay making, IL YOU
can get II, or are you Irish yagabonds-which?''
Neether, any more nor We are yerseir?' was
me reply. Were honest English laborers"
Oh indeed" said Kenneth. "what q mis-
,ske We make, then, in being proud OF our Eng
hsh laIoTersi I've heard them called a set or
CePitsi, manly fellows 4 am sorry I've seen
YOU, because now i know that that is lie"
lnough Kenneth had not expected any result
rum s snis COOL eontsmptuOus opinion, he saw a
SiaouAL one, and when the train stopped AT
Llstoh ne turned as he got out and gave his
eompaihoh- An amused nod. that brought a
laugn 10 several faces. Retaking his fickat
here, he a. led 10