Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-23
NO. 3o3.
Cabs and Sketehks.
A QUEEN OF SPADES.


tF- " ''HHS'NVh III NIiO lCT NOteluDcf.I
1t was a vexatious chance which kept
me from New York when the Tyrrells ar
rived, for thereby missed Bob Lyon, who
came home in the same steamer.
A decent Difference to the claims of kim
dred would have worded that sentence
otherwise, and. indeed am fond of Aunt
Tyrrell, while Clara--but let that 60.
was but stripping, look you, graphing
latin syntax, and she just learning to make
eyes and prattle French, and, no doubt,
the very we corrugated in those languag-
es described callow, temperate yearning
quite different to the peremptory passion
for which you, madam (who inspire it,
have Saxon name,
But Bob-or Robin, as we liked to call
him. recognizing, in rude, unconscious
way. the sturdy honesty and simplicity OF
the lad-had laid hold of some college
mates Che was no general lover) with
grasp which absence, possibly, and the
slow alternative of time, but nothing else,
would loosen. Our early friendships
strike their rootlets deep, and good many
years must pass, and some rich, loamy
natures be parched to thin arid soils, be-
fore the crop of household interests quite
strangles those hardy growths.
Well, was not there to seize the old
boys hand, march him off to my own
snuggery, and laugh with him over the
vernal days when he daubed my class.
books with nymphs and warriors, and re-
vealed his dream of becoming great
painter. These diversions the young ar
tist lost. but he did not want for hospitality
during the week he tarried in Manhattan
"OI course you come with us, Mr.. Lyon
to Gramercy park. l don't know how we
shall requite all you did for us in London
poor, unprotected creatures that we
were--and on the voyage, too. You must
not think of going to hotels. So that is
settled"
Thus did Aunt Tyrrell prescribe the
movements of my tractable friend, and
though Clara said not word, why should
her eyes brighten il she disapproved the
suggestion
1t is true, Robin meekly protested that
he ought to go to his people in the country,
but it was clear n studio had first to be
chosen, and some preparation made for
the autumE's campaign, which he admit.
ted might require a day or two. You are
aware, however, that the selection of
studio, embracing grave questions Of light,
frontage. seclusion, and immunity from
noise, not to speak of the traditions and
associations which evolve an aesthetic at
mosphere, is business not lightly dis
patched. The ladies' too, were sincerely
anxious 10. attest their gratitude for the
patient guidance which had laid open the
art-treasures of Britain, from Sir Richard
Wallace's thesaurus even to those unfin-
ished masterpieces (yet sacred from the
vulgar eye) of embryo academicians, and
were fain, by way Of quittance, to show
their guest those unrivalled collections
which affluence and enlightened connois-
seurship have accumulated in this island.
And it may be that one of his companions
in that ediiying round could 60 back far
ther than those London days, and recall
long rambles in Florentine galleries, when
a few, plain. thoughtful words had pro-
voked a wistiul sympathy and quickened
a girlish mind to unaffected zest.
1t is scarcely possible to know less, in
worldly sense, of young gentleman,
whom one chance or another has repeat
edly thrown in your society. than the Tyr
rells knew of Mr.. Lyon. Concerning his
outward circumstances and personal his
tory, beyond the fact that he was class
mate and friend of mine, those ladies were
quite in the dark Not that Robin could
lay any claim to that austere discretion
and nice reserve which some circumspect
but rather empty-pated fellows succeed in
passing for the very finest breeding. On
the contrary, he would chat most freely
about his little triumphs and reverses, his
aversions and private hobbies, and confide
to you, on moderate encouragement, the
cherished dreams and wishes of his heart.
But then, these all happened to be bound
up with his vocation OF painter, which did,
in truth, evoke what Solicitude and fervor
he had; and it no more occurred to this
eccentric youth to call the roll of his con-
nections and acquaintances, or descant on
domestic matters and the doings of the
people at home, than it occurs to many
lively persons to talk OF anything else.
You might as profitably applaud the
sprouts of a potato for feeling their way
toward sunshine, as try to make Robin
comprehend that his own earlier strug-
giles were anywise commendable or note
worthy.
His reticence did not offend Miss TYR
rell. \ capricious, tanciful, rather arbitra.
ry young woman was my cousin, who, |
remember, at our children's parties, would
often tease me with her wayward behav-
ior, and was accounted by some juvenile
admirers of quite a captious and sarcastic
turn. And to this day many ingenious
gentlemen, whose sprightly anecdotes find
favor in drawing-rooms, do not esteem
Miss Tyrrell sympathetic.
Now an artless, headlong enthusiastic.
like my friend Robin, would make, should
suppose, capital butt for female raillery;
yet, strange to say, this variable damsel
bore herself very humbly in his society.
and, after those Florence experiences be.
fore referred to. would let him pour forth
his quirks and theories (wild enough, |
dare say,) ior hours together. Or it might
be, when pause fell, she would hazard
some queer little notion of her own, which
Bob was sure to proclaim vastly sugges-
tive. will not quarrel. however. because
high-t1own rhapsodist may have pre-
Ierred girls company to my own, for
while have read Taine, and can impart
TO my discourse, when | choose, very
1plipata a,Sthatio flavor L trust 7