The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-30

long do you intend to wear that deep
mournings Isn't it possible to dispense
with some of its gloominess a'
why, J" said Florence, t'that has been
controverted point with me. Although
my husband was Of Quaker ancestry On
his mothers side, and had an antipathy
for mourning, he was 50 much to mel
owe him everything, you know that I
have felt that it would seem heartless to
dispense with it under two years
"And you are right" said Leicester.
1T Is very becoming, and nothing makes
q woman lock so interesting as widow 8
cap; but white dress now and then. OF
dash Of lavender, must certainly be per-
MISSILE IN one3so young as YOU. In this
hot weather eternal black has such . stnf.
fy, oppressive look.'' d
II do get tired of it, she said. ssbut
would not on any account even seem to
be dlsloyal to poor, dear Mr.. Barham.
Think what my life must have been but
for him. But one thing would like tn
know. I have all the Barham diamonds
and they are very handsome; might I
wear them, wonder2''
Mrs. Pentwater thought moment. It
was solemn question, and much was in
volved. ~
eyes," she said at length, ~ think YOU
may with discretion. Not, of course.
with anything less than full dress. but
on great occasions I should say it would
be quite irreproachable. @
So one way and another, they kept
Florence's head quite filed with ideas of
herself, her beauty, her advantages. and
especially what it was IN the power of
her family to do for her.
Mr.. Leicester, too, was growing really
to admire her. He talked less at the club
about what might possibly happen to
make man recant his faith in celibacy,
but he found his purpose growing deep
er every day to marry Florence Barham.
She was really very beautiful; she was
possessed of an ample fortune, and she
was of a childish and amiable disposition.
which it seemed to him he could rule ia
any way that would suit his purpose ad-
mirably. '.Is>
But Florence meantime had not Who'll
~ forgotten her friends the Poindexters.
They were, to be sure, obscure and inglo
nous compared with her present acquain-
stances, but she had real sympathy for
them and their art, which she could not
wholly forget, even In her present FORUM
ate surroundings. While she was specu-
lating IN what way she could best help
them, something happened which threw
light upon her mind.
Strolling through the gallery of the
Academy one morning, upon Mr.. Leices.
ter's arm, with the catalogue in her
hand, she came suddenly upon a. picture
which she did not remember to have
seen there before, but which yet had
familiar look to her eyes. #..#
"Why, "she said to herself, sit is surely
the lake and hills beyond Pelham. Who
can have done it2''
CHANGING at the catalogue, she read
the name OF Phillip Poindexter. Shewas
ready to exclaim with surprise and
pleasure, but even her few weeks of fash
ionable lite had taught Florence dis
cretion. -"
ut will never do,'' she thought, ito
appear too enthusiastic. Let us be
cautious
So she said very quietly to Leicester:
''What do you think of this IandscapeY''
He looked ct 1t little critically.
"Why," he said, ssit is by new ar
fist, isn't it, Let us see if 1t has any
merits?''
He surveyed it carefully, and then con-
tinued:
"Really, it is quite credjtable. The
hills and the distance are fine, and there
is actually breeze blowing across that
lake. Yes, think the artist must be a
man of ability. Not quite firm in the
handling OF his brush, I should say, but
likely to prove genius in the end:
II am glad you like II" said Florence,
quite coolly, 'tfor he lives at Pelham,
and has an invalid sister who does en-
broldery for me. The scene is quite fa-
millar to me. It Is from the valley be-
low my own house,"
"Indeed!" said Mr.. Leicester, approy
ingly.
And then new idea struck him.
Florence was beautiful, but she was
too childish. She needed distinction.
If he were to marry her, he would pre-
bearing Of a woman of fashion.
"Indeed!'' he replied to her. ':Then I
presume he ls in town figuring seme-
where as a poor and neglected artist. If
he has real talent he ought to be intro
duced into society. How would you like
to play the part Of patroness for strug-
Cling geniusg''
Florence did not like the way in which
this was said, but simply replied:
"You know my father was an artist,
and I never like to talk Of patronizing
people of genius. Nevertheless should
be glad to do anything in my power for
Mr.. Poindexter."
SIS he young and handsomes''
"About thirty-fve, judge said Flor
ence, s'and the reverse Of handsome; but
he has fine face and pleasing manners.
He would be quite presentable in any
drawing-room.
II will find him OUT said MI. Le1ces-
ter, "and we will give him a dinner-par-
ty. and get his picture well noticed in
the papers, and you shall have the credit
Of bringing him OUT
SO Leicester set about to find Mr..
Poin dexter, and the very next evening
brought him home and presented him to
Florence.
II am quite delighted to see you,"
said Florence. "For the honor Of Pei
ham, I am glad to know that you are