The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-12-05

The RIGHT MAN AFTER ALL.
Viola had found n lover; or at least John
Ellsworth aspired to that distinction. lie had known
Viola since she was little girl at school and was now
trying win the FIRST place IN the young ladys afcc-
TWO years ago the paternai Ellsworth had given
John, his twenty third birthday deed Of small
good farm near hts own. John set about making
home for himself with Of his half dozen sisters to
ali tSS Scssips in The ghborhood went About with
chns elevated aud noses wrinked when ne was nell
toned. Aud tho younger female portion Thought him
rather desirable object to manBuvre Ter.
Perhaps that was one reason why Viola had been so
gracious to him. II was something to secure, With
schcmed for. Hut John Ellsworth did not realize her
ideal. Under her calm exterior shc dreamed ron,anccs
aud echoes OF aworld that lay outside her own sphere
world Of lights and music and gay dressing: hoi-
day @ w nns s%S msn's "
ono June night driving over to ace his LADY, John
found her with an unusual flush on her fnir, Young
face She rode with him--accepting HIS Invitation In
matter of-cou way that was droahuy discourage
Ing.
ton--a great aunt-had sent for her photograph a
month ago, NOT having her since sho was little
child. Two days ago had come an invitation to spend
| couple Of months with her-tho great aunt-n New
| York, and she was going Tomorrow.
.'its no use denying, " tho young fellow said hls
don't know what will come TO you from this. Yoi
not cOntented here-you never Will lie till yoihave
"a anu not &c" Wise to ts YOU now SUPPOSE hut love YOU
| Viola. Mind, do not ask You now for any return.
shall walt for what the future shall put In your heart
TO say II -
It was long speech certainly for proposal. Viola
listened very atentivey To her first PROPOSAL and her
blue eyes sOffened.
'.Indeed, do care for you, John, and you can,
blame me for wanting to go. Aunt needs me- you
sss ana ,sen n" on "s noes Of s An"
| 81 know, dear
~ shall always think of you-'' giving him hei
'.For two whole months. (" n little sadly. "Good-
bye then, kissing the hand hc held. And then volr
found herself alone and then went TO finish hor pack
Vioia's next two months were delightful. She wal
always prettlly dressed and Frank Thorpe passed HI
valuable time beside her.
Mrs. hornington watched tho girl narrowly, ant
when Viola home the second week In September
II with an Invitation to stay through the winter
John Ellsworth called on her the night after her re
''You look well and happy, he said. scanning he
face.
~ am. s,o said, and she told him all about hc
'sAnd arc you going to settle down with us now p
''Oh, moi shall stay here only fcw days. NJ.
aunt Is coming for me us she returns from visit sl
John Ellsworth went away early In the evening
having said no word OF what had been In his heart al
''roor feilowi'' Viola said, as she went down IL,
moonlight road And then Frank Thorpe 8 dreamil
l
john Eisworth's shady brown ones.
Mrs. Mornington came and took the young lad
away, and Frank Thorpe was once again hanging
about her IA most desirable matrimonial prize.
phe christmas holidays came and went. Franl
Thorpe lcanged in on Chrstmas day, and was pale
Frank Thorpe, you are utterly stupid! What
tho matterY' asked Mrs. Mornington.
"A general giving way OF tho systcm, l SHOULD
..Nonsenso! General lazIness. In my day"
"Oh, my dear madam ~ starting up alarmed
stIndepd III reform. i think I'm better already
Miss Viola, I'm intensely Interested In the subjec
occupying your thoughts at present, IL you'll tell IN
III was wondering ii you cover In love, and no,
she treated you. - laughed Viola; :,
Over Th0rpes faco rushed Y flood Of scarlet. II
glanced M. caught Mrs. Mornington's sharp eyes o.
Mrs. bloomington gave her nrst bit OF advice to he
young charge that night.
Frank Thorpe Is not n man to trlhe with, m
dear; 1 think he Is In love with you. You coul
steady look. 81 hadn't thought there was to b
my, calculation No, Frank doesn't care for me
~ 10 X - love wlth yoa so ny, mSeh the bette,
tendsd.n
Viola went to that hall, and frozs Frank Thorpe
who. unconscious OF offense. lAnguidly assumed y
and tremendous In her general style this night th'
provoked and amused Mrs. Mornington. But she WI
+ Among mrs. Groves guests that night was a rath'
. young Having lost one wife, 10 was now hooking L
another. When he WAS presented to Viola she WI
. Frank Thorpe had ceased being frozen. To tell Il
d truth, Viola made the advances There was a shat
- more Of languor in his manner, and his sad grs
eyes had an added shadow, but no explanation.
N Restored to sunshine, no accepted that, too vii
no particular demonstration but he seemed to enJt
TO lie between him and Mr.. Nicolson, whose attei
lions were perfectly straightforward and bushes
like.
10 tor walk. On the way she had met Frank Thorp
az she wap very apt to do. neaccompaniod her hon
na.asy Ss IL Sss ss s sa Fs n
purpo.eless ne.
''Thank Heaven you are not However, go on.
'You put me out, Mr.. Thorpe; why don't you
Z. ..Do somethinga Don't i, I am your deyot
attendant tarse. fourths Of my waking life''
~ everybody. Not that care, certainly hu
nj riediy To her blunder. ~ shall choose n
~ friends where please ~ making matters worse,
ny iis sat up with sudden energy.
~ Miss Viola II we're u wOman-''
"Thank Heaven yOu are nOt.'
Exactly. However, II were ! certainly wa
y not nIrt with that antediluvian relic, MIR. Nic'
ut son.n
IT, "Hr. Thorpe, DON'T"
IN .MIss Viola, beg your pardon. hut you &C
rs shS looked at him with an astonishea red in !
cleeks and light In her eyes, Then SHE laugh
Y. frankly and good naturally.
"You see,', he said leaning forward and layl
Ills hand confidently ON her arm, al can't bear Ia
aclear.h hearted, honest girl lowering herself to
ways Of these artificial branless girls, who have be
bred w all their lives In the business Of catehnl
Walt iii you dni d man worth failing IL love vii
and then marry him. Walt foreverif you dom U
Viola rat moiionIess with establishment II a
dumb thing had found voice se could moi have D,
administer advice. While sl,e sat, Ills hand still
herarm and his eyes sin on her face. the door oreI
and John Ellsworth was ushered In. Viola sw'
toward him with eager. Outstretciled hands,
"Why John ~ Why Join!' was all she COZ
say.
Frank Thorpe, being disturbed by this newcom
who was called John and received will, such an o.
break OF enthusiasm, gathered himself M and lounl
away.
MornIngion treated hin win grsat pe,lIiensy. !
was always In tins way In the most natural manner
the world when he came. Viola always accepted
Invitations, and when tho time came FOR their full
Ment there was some unavoidable obstacle In the WI
Meanwhile MIR. Nicoson grew more attentive,
Frank Thorpe kept out Of Che way
Then Lent came. and there was . sudden eessiN
ness, and Viola felt the Inevitable reaction. And
IA not know that she would live through 1t,
beleaas ana eager Tor another season when tho u
TWAS alike everywhere. ~ tho narrow circle
Of which She had CONS there %ere lsal9pses
woiss than she had come 10 know in ths pasl wee
though possiblyiess disguised by smooth, conycnilo
ss wa. lin w sas was ss Ssay I All p na %
had never appeared one 10 whom she would gl'
t'nT ns Me- ,s. ws"S os Srlss
ma, 100 narrow to breathe In; or Frank Thorpe, v
were not too .,v to speak. And then, by eontr
there came Vision mr. S'eo'Soh an" "'
Vn wealth.
II she had shown the first symptons of her h,oou
Mr.. Nlcoison he would have dessted from his att
or ons at one. s,. Here was youth And beauty In =
wantea,.the stataesqueness; and everybody conside
| think VIoIa hauan "a oon ala. a. ba.aa,r Ola