Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-09-27

cannot say the S0Ees remarked Miss Man.
and she screwed up her eyes aud held her
mead mead, one ;, side as If she saw him in the dis
-, o.: he's only statesman" said Lefty, and
We win not inflict It upon our resders. Le-
tice listened far more fntently than shs hal
done to Tennyson's poetry, but 1t does nos fol.
production. When It was finished Lefty toox
possession OF the portfolio and ex amined It's
contents. The two heads approached each
other very closely; Philip bent over her 60 ex-
plain the plot Of each tale as she criticised its
title; their hands touched now and then az they
turned over the sheets, they spoke In low tones,
and every word they said might have been pro-
claimed upon the hOusetops.
"You must read them an, Mr. Leigh, "said the
girl, at last, '1nstead OF the poetry, you know.
And Philip promised. A promise he was not
destined to fulfil.
Lady Thorpe, deep in cogitatlon over dinner
reused from her meditations upon roast and
boiled, upon squires' ladies and rectors' wives,
by sharp nudge from the elbow OF Mrs. Mid
dlston; me me, OLD lady was nodding, winking.
people were still occupied with Philips portfo-
Ito. Lady Thorpe turned her eyes In the same
"Good gracious! you don't mean to say so?"
she exclaimed, soto roce.
Now, Mrs. Middleton had said nothing at all
81 don't think you have been in my boudolr
Mr.. Leigh; 1t Is not every one l admit there
but you ought to be no stranger. Your carte d;
uisite has been pinned up beside Arches, over
my mantlepiece, this long time. Come"
Lady Thorpe opened the boudoir door as she
spoke, and uDsuspecting Philip followed her. 1t
was Curious morning. Sunshine streamed
hues Of a profusion of hyacinths and rejoicing
the hearts Of a cage full of canaries. Flowers,
sunshine the singing of birds, bright fire burn
SNoWl I Wonder y exclaimed philtn 4swbat
people want with Mentone and Nice when they
can make their own climate at home. 1 should
not at all object to spend the whole winter in
this charming snHggery. Is that the best like
ess OF me that Master Archibald has7" he went
on as he caught sight Of his own face stuck In
corner OF the mirror. 1T Is a vile one" NO
portrait) "You must let me send you an
other other. Lady Thorpe,f you will condescend to
"Tnank you much. OF course will conde-
scend. But, talking of photographs, here Is
one you must see-one OF George Bolland; your
double, you know: The likeness does not strike
Your features, still the likeness is there, and it
is a great compliment to tell you So"
Sne turned over the heavy pages OF her large
crimson and gold book and pointed out the Wig
nette of an uncOmmOnly handsome head. Philip
looked with some curiosity at his double. Hand
some? yes, there was no doubt as to that, but
and the "but" has comfort for him-there was
something heavy and untntellectual about the
good looking face. He was still looking at it
when soft III from his hostess fell upon the
hyacinth-scented air, words dropped slowly
Poor little Lettuce. No wonder she saw the
likeness. l am afraid she has been feeling it
all this time. Don't you find her looking at
you very often, Mr.. Leigh? OF course you Know
they are engaged, there are estates depending
upon it."
Lady Thorpe pressed on about the estates, the
neither of them, although In after life he never
did hear the shrill song OF canary without
being transported In imagination to the boudoir
aware Of the sudden downfall OF his airy castle,
deadened by the crash Of its falling stones,
blinded by the cloud of dust arising from the
ruins. The room swan with him, and when he
once more recovered sight and hearing Lady
Thorpe was still speaking OF the estates, the
canary still singing In its piercing tones
Philips first reasonable thought was that he
should like to wiring the birds neck.
II confess l shall be glad to see little Lefty
In the enjoyment of her fathers property. 1t
was only because there was no son that it lapsed
to George BOlland."
Commanding his voice with an effort speak
ing as carelessly as he could, Philip answered
that Capt, Bolland had his hearty congratula-
had seen Of her, appeared to be most charm
ing young lady.
HBy the way, Lady Tn ,rpe," he continued
say, which had rather say here Than anywhere
else. suspect it Is the atmosphere of this room
that has brought me to my senses. II the truth
were told, daresay Archie cones here to con-
fess his sins, and get good advice, and all that
kind of thing"
Lady Thorpe looked thorou .hly annoyed. She
was terribly afraid of what might be coming,
and could not endure 'tsceneS."
have been 1dling far too long. In point Of
fact, ought to have gone back to my work
days ago; and have been recklessly breaking
all SORTS Of good resolutions by my heightened
But what could have done without you
and your reading, my dear Mr.; Lelgh?" cried
Philips confessions were taking. "Pray do not
run away"
"You are very kind" said Philip, "but I
the walls Of this room might find It as hard ard
as ever to tear myself away; but there is
coed influence here that has recalled me to my
duty. IN look up Archie and consult about
After q civil protest or two Lady Thorpe be-
gan to do her best, as good hostess should, to
speed the parting guest
that table," she said ."I keep all sorts of useful
information, here In readiness: Archie never
shaw is invariably a month too old. They al
ways come to me- What, that train!" as Philip,
turning over the pages OF the railway guide,
pointed out one that would oolige him to start
for the station in an hours time. "YOu are in
great hurry to leave US, Mr.. Leigh"
''It is better SO, Lady Thorpe: must not run
the risk Of changing my mind" said Philip,
He would not trust himself to see Lettuce
again-heartless couQuette as he now thought
her. He would willingly have avoided Mrs
Fairfax also, but she was crossing the hall just
as he started She seemed very much surprised
she shook hands with him warmly, and hoped
they might meet in town; but the young mans
cold manner, land the interference Of Mrs.
Middleton about the danger Of fast driving,
and the bore OF missing train checked her
words.
Lady Thorpe and Mrs. Middleton stood to-
gether in the window as the dogcart drove off.
ga master stroke, my dear!" chuckled the
old lady. 81 don't trust that woman for a mo-
ment."
once more In London Philip Leigh kept his
good resolutions and worked hard. Christmas
came and went. He had no heart to go down
to his own people and passed the festive season
alone.
"Women are all alike" he said to himself
al feel it, because it is the first time that it has
happened to me, that is all; but 1t is exactly
what everybody knows of them. Heartless It,
tie firt! but no worse than others, suppose"
And yet Letty's blue eyes would come be-
tween his and the page he was studying, and
Letty's soft voice ring In his ears. II annoyed
him to find it SO impossible to forget her. He
had told himself he should soon get over 1t, but
far from that, as time went on Lettuce occupied
his thoughts more and more. Was George"
at home? Were they married7 Was the child
happy with him and In the possession Of the
estates? Archibald Thorpe was abroad-Philip
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