The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-24

houses one does not always meet so many
pretty and well-dressed people. The la
dies were very agreeable, too, and drew
one out in spite of oneself"
Don't make excuses. was glad to
to see that you entered into it so hearth
ly. What did you think of the Barretts
themselves? My own opinion of them is
pretty decided; but | should be glad to
hear yours"
"They seem to be-excellent people"
said Crosby.
"You are not so foolish as my daugh-
ter is-to be influenced by looks, and 50
on"
'Looks" said Crosby, more cheerfully.
"The young ladies are very good-looking,
and Mrs. Barrett has no doubt been
handsome. Good forehead, good nose,
some character in her face"
Sir George smiled.
"Poor Mrs. Barrett! Don't know
about that. But the girls certainly have
good figures and good compilations. And
Barrett told me they would have seven
or eight hundred year each. Not bad
recommendation. If it was not so very
much better for young men in our pro-
fession to be unmarried, | should say you
could not do wiser thing"
"Good heavens, sir!' muttered Cros-
by.
"That had not occurred to youf Well,
perhaps you are right. Did you make
much acquaintance with Young Bar
rett?'
"Not very much"
Sir George was marching slowly up
and down a small space between the
table and the fire. Crosby, in his place
at the other side of the table, leaned his
head on his hand, and stared half in
amusement, half in alarm, at his chiefs
straight, tight figure, at the sharply-cut
mouth from which such strange things
came out. Marry one of the Miss Bar
retts Was Sir George really so blind?
Or-horrid thought suddenly flashing in
was Letitia's fate in any fearful way
decided already? He must know at all
costs; and then-Crosby against the
world!
"Young Barrett won't set the Thames
on fire, l suspect" he said presently.
'Now, there l believe you to be mis-
taken," said Sir George, suddenly turn
ing upon him. "These hasty judgments
generally are. don't mean to say that
there are not many cleverer men in
England than Humphrey Barrett. You
Yourself have much more brilliancv,
quickness, that kind Of thing. But for
sound sense, Crosby, for knowing. the
right thing and doing it, for resolution
and independence of character, for max
ing his way-and that's talent in Itself
I wculd back Humphrey against YOU"
II am sorry you think me such fool,
sir" said Crosby, smiling.
"You know wha,I think Of you we'll
enough. We won't argue that point
All I say is that Humphrey has the tai
ents most useful to himself, You, my
dear Crosby, have those that are pleasant
est to me. 1 should be confoundedly
sorry to have an obstinate dog like Hum
phrey for my aid-de-camp."
"I am obliged to you," said Crosby,
quite touched; for this was a great deal
from Sir George. ..
'These Barretts are an old family"
the General went on. "And in one thing
they are very different from most old
families; they have always been care
full people, and every generation is richer
than the one before it. When Hum
phrey marries, his father intends to al
low him five thousand year"
"Ve9y handsome" said Crosby, as Sir
George paused. "And being such a
prudent fellow, he won't spend it fool
shly."
"No."
Sir George poked the fire, and stood
looking into it as he went ON talking.
II had good deal Of talk with Mr..
Barrett last night on these matters. He
broached the subject himself. You
know me we'll enough to be aware that
am not rich man, Crosby, and that it
s-a-advisable that Letitia should
marry well. She has no idea of house
hold management; it is not in her char
acter, and Mrs. Bushe has not succeeded
in doing her much good in that way.
Now this is very good match for her.
1t has been laid before me in the
most open and honorable way, both by
Humphrey Barrett and his father.
Their ideas are most liberal"
Crosby jumped up, and interrupted
his chief with an exclamation.
"Humphrey Barrett marry Miss Monk.
tonw ....... ~, 4
"Why not?" said Sir George.
"Forgive me, sir. One sometimes feel'
surprise without being able to give rea
son. 1t seemed somehow incongruous,'
said the young man. s,i a.
"Incongruous or not-I don't under
stand your modern phrasology; and what
you mean by "incongruous" is a mystery
to me-however it may strike YOU, it
very nearly settled thing. l expec
Humphrey here this afternoon, and
hope at least, from my long knowledg'
of Mrs. Bushe, that she has brought Lett
tia up to consider obedience duty. Old
fashioned, l know; but am not awar
that the Ten Commandments have ye1
been done away with. Perhaps you ar
surprised at my mentioning them il
common life. Incongruous, is itp