Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-23

MIS- Webster took the slippers from his hand.
and finding the ticket, read aloud, "Fen and
si1lence: Not much OF PaaIgain ., are they7'
Thorpe laughed with perfect good humor.
TOO bad OF you, Mrs. webster, to use my Own
words against me; Wei Iney are tne greatest
| I've a pair and wear them every n1ght!n
"Lai Sir Cecil. you are not telling me the
truth now,- cried the dame laughing; but she
tucked the greatest comfort In the world
under her fat arm, and handed him the money.
You have not told me how Mr.. Webster Is
Is he here?a asked Thorpe, OBTAINING his victim
mo" she answered. taking the attention
seriously; ''he5 not here, Sir; he's busy with the
hay"
"Then am sure" said Sir Cecil adroitly, go
gocd wife as you are will not go home with
cur present for him.
La" cried Mrs. Webster again; this word
or doubtful eIymology being tnat lady'S IaV-
Grille channel for emotion: Webster d consider
all these things pack o rubblsh-meantng no
offence
Sir Cecil, artfully suppressing the fact that
his sentiments quite conceded with those of
the absent gentleman, called upon Miss Spenser
10 find suitable Offering; and SO pair of NUT
fatee5 were disposed OF; and them after Que or
two further infections, this first martyr was
permitted to escape.
There, Miss srenser," said Thorpe, handing
her couple OF sOVereigns,-and never mad
money, not even an unexpected "tip" in MS
haIdest-up days at school, given Sir Gee 40 .pe
so much pleasure as those two pounds. But
remember l don't lend my valuable assistance
through any consideration for you, because
think you richly deserve your mlsfortunes -
HIS auditor glanced up startled; but the young
mans laughing eyes treasured her; and the
white lids with their heavy fringes were drooped
again Instantly perhaps Ethel mas read some
thng more than amusement in Sir Cecirs gaze
II Is simply In the interests of the committee
that take all this trouble, and out of regard
for my friend SpenSer."
That first commercial success was followed
by many more; and the little pucker OF
anxiety was getting smoothed out Of EGhai.s
lair face, as she watched the rapidly-increasi1cr
piles OF coin; and the bright smiles with which
ne was thanked. was reward enough to Sir
Cecil for his eXerti0ns. lie had not lived eight
and-tWe nty years in the world without learning
that pincu5hions even had merits when recon-,
meRdtd by wealthy baronet beyond what
Iney would nave possessed II extolled by less
powerful lips Although, to be just 20 the world.
large portion of the favor always ready for
SIT Cecil Thorpe was due TO the inherent nobil-
10y and kindlfnesS OF his nature, OF which his
OutcOn e.
AT II O'Clock upon that same night, Sir Cecil
InOrf e, having at length had some dinner SAT
alone over his Wine In the great dining room OF
Thori e Hall casting up accounts, and he found
himstlf-
Plus: One cushion with lion from Central
Afllca; another with parrot from Brazil. a
thiId Win araOesques from South kensington;
ana 1Ouftn With flowers from every land:
lhree footStoois In subject also geological. orni-
theological and floral; six smoking caoS any one
OF which would have excited the envy OF an
Eastern pOtenJate; and Sundry other things as
10 tae names ana uses of which he was COM
pleteIy ignorant.
Minus: A great deal OF cash, and-that trif1tng
organ, his heart.
ii.
Just two months later, the Vicarage drawing
room ore evening wore an unwonttd aspect of
lie and feSt1v1ty. fat living was Brarssord
no st1nted stipend REQUIRING careful outlay, and
the house was a good and pretty residence.
The draw1ng-roOm was as pleasant room as
rich hangingS OF a tender delicate h1e and a
wealth of flowers with their living beauty and
only Mr.. SpenSer and his mother and slste.
were there TO enjoy It's luxury; but things We're
different upon this evening, for it was the ap.
pointed ted, date OF feast. to which they had bid
Gel their friends nd neighbors. The feast was
ea' en-, ana The gentlemen, quitting the wine
had just rejOined the ladies. They had no.
however, yet settled into their places, but stood
hudtled rather like swarm of bees In the
neighborhood Of the door. each probably intent
upon selecting the specia, situation that seemed
most desirable In his eyes. Sir Cecil Thorpe
had not the least doubt where he should come
TO anchor; but he intended to take up his post
ton by strategtcal movement. Possibly 1t was
a guilty conscience that made him so cautious;
or, perhaps. he only dawd,ed to enhance his
enjoyment by anttcIpation-as we handle a
long lOoked-tOr letter before breaking the seal,
or watch the wine beading round the untasted
lcludtS Ndlt6u an invitation IRON
the soft eyes, whose every expression he knew
so well now. Whatever the motive, however
his hesitation cost him his pleasure for while
he stood al0of, young mantle only bachelor
chair at Miss Sponsors side.
Thorpe muttered to himself very strong Ian.
guage upon perceiying the usurpation. Too
much disgusted to seek amusement elsewhere,
he retained his former station at the head OF tue
room, supporting himself with one arm against
the mantelpiece, while he surveyed the CON.
nor Cyp1f0 nv fn1
him, gossip?ing with crcny of hers, Miss Bur-
ton, was Adelaide Dudley; she had her back to
Sir cecil, so that lie could only look down upon
head. and just catch the Simmer OF her yellow
silk dress. Their host, the Rev. Fredk Spen
ser. was seated at table beneath the chan 1a-
ner, engaged In turning over book OF photo
graphs for Mrs. Dagllsh, whose most salieat
points, her fat and her flaming complexion.
We re thrown up TO highest effect 10y the Crimson
velvet robo tn which she was attired. Mrs. Dag
Iish was good nature ITSELF and She had tie
highest regard for her clergyman; bus she was
stiecflng all his nearest relatives TO make un-
complimentary remarks upon, being aS reyl-
l3Lly overW helmed With confusion and color
Whel her mistakes were discovered to her; so
that. what with the blazing chandelier above
her dress, and her accession OF color consequent
upon her maladroit cr,dctsms, there seemed TO
be a fair prospect OF her departing this present
world, like Peter SimpleS mother, by Spontane-
Gus cor bustion.
DR.. Daglish, the small meek husband OF this
microscope, Well out or eyerybody's way at a
side table. While, at the other end OF the long
apartment, sat their hostess BRING old Mr. Dud-
ley, AdelaldeS father, until the tears almost
stood In his eyes Worthy Mrs. Spenser had
only two topics of Observation-Disclosures and
Mr.. Dudley scarcely knew a daisy
from rhOdodendrOn, ard he would not have
cared II all the heather, with the parsons to
keep them'company, had been at the bottom OF
the sea Sir Cecil, who had had a considerable
OF Mrs. Sponsors f1uency upon both
subjects, wondered with which she was e(ilry.
Ing the old squire. Missions, he presently
Concluded from the fact OF the good LADY count
Ing On The tips OF her fingers, which he knew
70 be her method or checking her Interesting
statistics.
But The group to which the young mans eyes
.uIhtd olteneSt, and with constantly Increasing
Irritation, was that right opposite to him mn az
some little distance away. The MAGNET that
ule" ms gaze, his angry and ever angrier GAZE
was Elnel Spenser, a lovely vision of yoath and
lhhocehce ln her dainty white rairnent. Uar
Dress was OF muslin, plain and simple. ono
ueepred rose burned In the soft dusk masses ~
her nalr while IT'S fellow nestled warm AMI roSv
amidst soft lace upon her bosom. Other orna.
ment or smallest touch OF color had she nnna.
yet could no woman present compare with her
in appearance, as Cecil Thorpe but too well
knew; and her exceeding fairness seemed 10 he
taking effect upon her attendant swain for hi,
kept edg1ng nearer as the evening passed and
growing more earnest in his attention; this re-
suit was only natural, the unavoidable effect OF
her charms, so her companions admiration and
absorption were not to be wondered at: but If