Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-09-27
.Eo, indeed, grandmammy, did NOT forget

pay decent price? Have you never Dee1
end?" and the speaker leaned forward to cast
Teproving glance at Letty's step mother, by
which means Philip caught sight OF grand
Mrs Middleton was keen-eyed, withered,
worldly looking old woman. Philips spirits
sank at the sight OF her. He fancied himself In
the presence OF his evil genius.
Next morning the guests at CragthOrpe
awoke to white world. Muddyshire had been
better than its name. To the frost of the last
which improved the beauty Of the wlntry land
scape. Every one went to the lake, either to
skate or to look on. Philip found it very de-
lightful to be the guide Of Miss Fairfax upon
How dared you take my hands at the Wa
terlOo stationl" she said, 81 suppose you knew
who you were? You couldn't have mistaken
1t. Mr.. Leigh?"
1t was hard to remember that they were new
acquaintances; Lettuce found IL difficult to be
called him George" and looked up into hi.
eyes with her own. so frankly happy. AS for
him, he was not georges" but, all the same,
sible to relapse into distant civlllty. Indeed he
had fallen completely under the spell of his
fog-fairy. The beautiful winter days flew by
like dream. When the weather changed, In
door amusements took the place Of skating.
Billiards, Observation-Disclosures in the
hall, and music helped to pass the time, when,
however, was passing all too quickly for Philip.
prettily over the piano. There was In the
house young cavalry officer afflicted with a
eornet-a- piston, which rarely Left him. The
happy expedient was hit upon of shutting him
out in the hall by himself when an attack came
on, on pretence that through closed doors the
sounds reached the ears of enraptured listeners
With softened effect truly magical Opening
the drawing-room door with a wide smile on
his face IN expectation of applause he felt he
meIited-beho!d! the room was empty. He
had been playing to empty space; a TACT 1t took
apartment to realize. After that, like the
good-natured cavalry officer he was, he fol-
lowed the party, who had all hocked into the
library to act charades, and never alluded to
his cornet. Morning callers interrupted them
now and then, for the party in the house
suited each other so well, and had grown so
an interruption. Still it was new pleasure to
Philip at such times to exchange glances with
Lefty and see that she also was bored and to
discuss the strangers afterward. The discus
slons were not always charitable. Mrs. Mid
d.eton In particular was very severe upon her
nefghbors, and Miss Manvers aimed at being
fax was never unkind, and her daughter had
quite talent for seeing the best of people. She
had wonderful power of sympathy, too, and
made herself quite unhappy over one Of their
mothers wishes, and unforgiven still.
Don't quiz her. grandmamma! I can't bear
the sad look in her eyes," said little Lefty.
''HOw can mother be SO unfOrgtving!"
Perfectly right to be so,' exclaimed Mrs.
Middleton. ''rVe no notion of girls choosing
for themselves. They know nothing OF life,
ard their business Is to be guided by those who
do Pray be SO good as reach me my ball of
Wool Mr.. Leigh
but there is guide, Mrs. Middleton, a
heaven-implanted INSTINCT began Philip, as
he obediently dlved beneath the crimson cloth.
"Heaven implanted fddlest1ck. and take care
you don't break the thread" She did not mean
the thread Of his argument, but of her wool, by
this time entangled In the castors. ''Expe-
rience Is everything, and OF that girls have
none"
aGranted," continued Philip, from under the
table; "hearts actuated by sincere affection do
not rely upon experience. But need they do
so? am imagining case where there is true
affection, you know, Mrs. Middleton, and no
other motive, and in such case think there
should be great allowances made by parents,
great care taken not to thwart the best and
purest feelings our nature is capable Of" He
viction that he was making way with her, for
she was sure to applaud such sentiments. Be-
hold! she was in commissions Of suppressed
laughter.
ooh, please come out" she entreated as soon
as she could speak, ~ can't bear it any longer.
To see you on hands and knees under table,
planted instincts! Do come out, Mr.. Leigh"
Philip emerged, and restored the ball of wool
to Its owner. But he had given an angry pull
to the thread, and If he had entertained any
"Broken, Of course! If there's a Thing 1
ahominate it is an unnecessary john" grumbled
spoken much as If it would have afforded her
infinite pleasure to box his ears.
"Won't you read to us, Mr.. Leigh?" inter-
pleasant speech her mother in-lawlmight make
next, or how the young mans temper would
stand it.
was at her wits end to provide amusement for
her guests 1t had been discovered that Philip
possessed the rare talent Of reading poetry
5earany and he had been duly pressed Into
that these readings took place. Out of doors
the rain poured down; within the monotony of
the readers voice was agreeably broken by the
gentle tinkle OF teaspoon or Subdued clatter
of cups and saucers. Some thought Philip
bold man to read to so large an audience, but
as he was wholly Indifferent to the opinion Of
from no uncomfortable feeling of nervousness
at monopOliZ1ng Tile attention of tho assembly.
He was glad enough to read now, and pro-
ceeded to select seat from which he could
command an uninterrupted view of Lettys
sweet face. Hewas not allowed to take his
place in peace; Miss ManverOdew toward him
"oh, my precious! Was 'em going to sit
down on it!'
Aghast, Philip slowly sank into the angle OF
him interpreted the iady's words-her dog
might. So.
SIOSosJ. Az "e<o - Saoi1Aoa eAAAA AAooS
to be sat upon"
That evening the reading was brought to
sudden close by sounds which seemed more ac-
ceptable to his audience thar the sound OF
Philips voice. True, Lettuce had listened In
tently, Mrs. Fairfax had dropped her work and
sat absorbed, Miss Manvers. with her dog in
her arms, had been a devoted auditor; but
heads had been bent over nsedlework, lips had
moved surTeputiously, In the silent counting Of
stitches, one had even sentured upon cats
cradle with an admirer. crash Of drums ana
wind instruments was heard, and Philip started
to his seat.
"Oh!" exclaimed Miss Manners rapturously,
ats the band. Won't you have it into the
hall, dear Lady Thorpe, as you did last year,"
Forthwith everyone betook themselves to the
hall-everyone, that Is, but Mrs. Fairfax and
our hero. AS for him, why should he move p
the cavalry officer had carried of Lefty. A
rush OF cold air and louder strain Of music
reached them as the outer door was thrown
open. Mrs. Fairfax smiled, Philip sighed. Even
Mrs. Middleton had followed the dancers and
established herself In corner by the comfort
able blaze of the hall fire. 1t was a pity, she
said, poor Miss Manvers should have no one to
speak to while the rest made fools of them
selves, Whereat Miss Manvers, who entertained
hopes OF taking more active part than that
of a spectator only, looked as cross as she
dared.
But in few minutes little Lefty crept back
to her mothers side. She had hurt her foot,
she said, and could not dance, and Philip won
dered at himself for feeling so fnSaney sure