The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-01-19

y
acious that he was the son of Abner Nun
son, the owner of the Marlborough iron
works, and Tom had been made to fee
the difference between patched coat and
bgoadclO' h. At the end of another yeal
Barry's college training began to make
itself conspicuously manifest. His sister
Louise. now Mrs. Frederick Maynard, had
no need to caution him against the impro
priety of assocating with Tom Finch.
Along with his -Eschylus and calculus, he
had learned some other things not laid
down in the college curriculum.
tom Finch is a good fellow, but fresh
exceedingly fresh"
This was the opinion which Mr.. Barry
Munson expressed concerning his former
companion. The hero of his school days
appeared to his finer and more refined
vision very common clay, and he worshiped
him no more than he did Robinson Crusoe
or Gnliver
In good time Barry came home to Bar
borough with the aroma of the freshly
tiedged alumnus about him. 1t was sweet
to the uostrils of his sister Louise, but it
was not agreeable to people in general.
lie wore eye. glasses now, which he re-
moved when he wanted to see, and put on
when he wished to be seen. He sprinkled
his conversation with slang, and empha-
sized it with a frequent "deuced.' The
most obvious results of his liberal educa-
! ton were presented in the marvellous skill
with which he could tie a cravat, and the
dizziness with which he shutlled cards; also
/ in his extravagant love for cigarettes and
! his worship of heroncs. Among these lat
tie" were included number of actresses,
whose photographs adorned Barrys room,
aud whose charms he had seen once, posi-
hly twice. on the stage. Engravings, like
wise, Of Juliet. llaidee, and the Maid of
Athens were hung on the walls: while in
one corner, between a bionde-hared opera
singer and black-eyed ballet dancer, was
a picture Of Bessie Charlock.
1t was apparent that time had effected
striking metamorphosis in Barry Munson.
This same magician, with gentle touch.
had wrought also a change in Bessie Char
lock. lie had moulded her girlish figure
into outlines of symmetrical beauty, crowned
her with 4 wealth of luxuriant brown hair,
deepencd the rich color of cheek and lip,
and frcshened her with the vigor of per
feet health. She was amazingly pretty.
Barry said. Deucedly charming" He
met her. not many days after his return to
Marlborough. at 4 crOquet party. They
were antagonists in the game, but the best
of friends between shots.
Il hoped You would come up to Com
mencement with Louise and Fred" said
he, twirling his mallet over his fingers, as
his Gl0lG a5ater had taught him to twirl
cane.
81 shodId have enjoyed it, am sure,
answered Bessie. TOUR Grafton, | sup
pose, was the best of them all. What was
il about
"Tho effect of Platonic philosophy upon
modern thought replied Barry, with an
unmistakable consciousness of the depth
of his subject.
"Gracious me- exclaimed Bessie, rails
ing her curved eyebrows. How inter-
esed | should have been in that. Can't
you repeat some of it now, Mr.. Munson? ,"
in spite of himself Barry felt his cheek
grow hot. This girl of nineteen knew
nothing about Platonic philosophy, of
course. Yet her ridicule made the self
satisfied bachelor of arts vince not little.
You would find it deucedly stupid,
Miss BESSIE" said he at last
son no, l shouldn't. How could any
thing be stupid that comes from your pen
And then Plato how nice it must be TO
tell the world all about his philosophy,
Let me see. Was he the one who loved
good things to eat? No, of course not,
That was Ep -Ep-"
Epicurus,' suggested Barry.
Yes. How ignorant in me not to know.
Why didn't you write about the effect which
lis philosophy has had on modern thought?
| am sure you are qualified to treat that
subject, Mr.. Munson."
Before Barry could interpret this remark
the young lady was at the other end of the
ground driving an obtrusve "rover" out
of the way.
The croquet party seemed "deucedly
duh to Mr.. Barry Munson. Bessie, on
the other hand enjoyed the game keenly.
The players were still on the ground when
the SIX o'clock whistle at the scarborough
iron works broke upon the stiffness of the
summer air. y few minutes later Tom
Finch, with his coat thrown over his arm
and tin dinner pail in one hand, came up
the street. 1t was necessary for him to
pass the lawn where Helen Boughton's
friends We're engaged at croquet.
"Why, there's Tom exclaimed Bessie.
And stlaightway she ran toward the street,
malet in hand.
"Odd sort of girl Bessie is, isn't she ?"
observed Barry to Miss Helen Boughton,
81 hope she won't invite him in to play"
exclaimed the young lady, filled with hor-
rOr at the possibility of such an event.
SIS Tom still one of Bessie's admirers ~
inquired Barry, care!essly.
"Perhaps she could answer that ques.
ton better than l." replied Miss Bough-
ton.
Acting upon this hint, Barry put the
question bluntly to Bessie herself when
she had returned from her conference with
Tom. As bluntly Bessie answered it.
:" think he is, said she.
The people Of Marlborough began to sus-
pect, before the Autumn had crimsoned
the leaves, that Barry Munson was i'll love
with Bessie Charlock. That same suspi
ciou assumed the form of conviction in
Barry's own mind. Albeit she vexed him
at times and wounded his vanity, and even
caused him to bite his lips with irritation,
he was still forced to admit that Bessie
ChaGlock was most charming girl
Never, perhaps had he been more deeply
impressed with this truth than on GER
tain October afternoon, when they walked