New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-17


present besides himsef-drOpped into the
vacant chair at Miss Sponsors side.
Thorpe muttered to himself very strong Ian
guage upon perceving the usurpasion. loo
much Disguised to seek amusement elsewhere;
he retained his former station at the head OF
the room supporting himself with ore arm
against the mantelpiecc, while he surveyed the
company cynically. Seated on causcuse close
| to him, gossping with n c1Ony OF hers MISS
Burton, was Adelaide Dudley; she had her
| back to Sir Cecil, so that he could only look
down upon her jet black hair wrapped round
a stately head and just catch the simmer OF
| her yellow silk dress. THEM host, the hey-
erend Frederick Spenser, was seated ut table
| beneath the chandelier, engaged In turning
over book of photographs tor Mrs. Daglish'
| whose most salient points, her TAT ana her NAM
| ing complexion, were thrown up to highest erect
| by the crimson velvet robe in which she was at,
| tired Mrs Daglish was good nature Itself, ana
| she had the highest regard for her clergyman
but she was selecting all his nearest relatives to
make uncOmplimentary remarks upon, peing as
| regularly overwhelmed with confusion ana
color when her mistakes were discovered To
| her: so that. what with the blazing chandelier
above, her dress, and her accession OF color con-
sequent upon her maladroit criticisms, there
seemed to be a fair prospect of her departing
| this present world, like Peter Simpes mother,
| by spontaneous combustion. 80.
| DR.. Daglish the small meek husband of this
lady, was amusing himself harmessly with
| mcroscope well out of everybodys way at
| side-table. While at the other end of the long
apartment, sat their hostess boring old MT
| Dudley, Adelaides father, until the tears al
! most stood III his eyes. Worthy Mrs. Spenser
| had only two topics of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
| and horticulture MI Dudley scarcely knew
| daisy from a rhOdOdendrOn, and he would not
| have cared if all the heather, with the parsons
| to keep them company, had been at the bottom
| of the sea. Sir Cecil, who had had consider
| able experience of Mis-. Sponsors tiuency upon
! both subjects, wondered with which she was
| edIfying 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
| to be her method OF checking ner Interesting
! statistics.
| Rut rhe group to which the young mans eyes
turned ofteuest, and with constantly increasing
! irritation, was that night opposite to n IN out
at some little distance away; Inc magnet tilat
| drew his gaze, his angry and ever angrler gaze;
was Ethel Spenser, n lovely VISION OF youth ana
innocence in her dainty white ralment. her
| dress was of muslin, plain and SIMPLE; one
| deeD-red rose burned IN the soft DUSK masses
! of her hair, while its fellow nestled warm ana
ROSY amidst soft lace upon her bosom. Other
| ornament or smallest touch OF color had she
| none; yet could no woman present compare
| with her in appearance, as Cecil thorpe OUT
| too well knew; and her exceeding fairness
| seemed to be taking effect upon her attendant
| swain, for he kept edg1ng nearer as the evening
passed, and growing more earnest IN his atten-
| ton this result was only natural the unay0ld-
! able effect of her charms, so her companions
|
! dered at but it was truly maddeniDg to their
! spectator to watch Miss Sponsors growing IN
| terest in the conversation. ,
| The two hapleSs young people were IN truth
merely discussing pictures, but the poor DlrOneC
! could not tell that He could only see Ethels
| sweet face flushing and paing, and the dark
ewes glancing up with the innocent wondering
| look that had charmed away his own heart
| Sir Cecil Thorpe had Just concluded that ne
would 90 and talk TO his cousin Adelaide; talk
with interest and empressement, so as to make
| Ethel suffer some of the pangs OF Jealousy that
| lie was enduring; when some words OF MISS
Dudleys and her friends caused nm TO pause
! in the execution of his am.able endeaVor.
! Yes she hG5 a lovely face said Miss Burton
| in a slightly lowered voice, and, from the
! furtive glances cast in her direction, 1t was
patent that Ethel Spenser WIS the subject or
! their remarks Il But, innocent az she looks,
she seems to understand the art of flirting
| 'Innocentr echoed Adelaide scOrnfully.
| She Is as deep a coquette as there Is In Eng
! land. have seen something OF women, ana l
can tell you that that girl, with her babyish
| face is full of wiles, and desperate tlrt, as
| any one can see.
Miss dudley, in speaking thus, was well
aware that she had an auditor IN Cecil thorpe,
| and she also knew how ranking a thorn she had
| nIantcd in his breast. Honorable and steadfast
| himself he would be intOleIant Ct the slightest
| shade of levity in a woman; ana, moreover
| there was a dark page in bis parents history
that had cast its shadow over his youth, ana
The next moment, breaking in upon the
gossip OF the girls and Thorpes wrath I'll re-
| Elections, came an interruption from theI nos
tess her voice was borne along the IOom III
| pathetic appeal.
Frederick will you come here momentY
! But her son did NOT seem 70 hear across the
waste of Mrs. Daglishs tat shoulders, so MIS-.
| Spenser was compelled TO try the other member
of her family.
| Ethel
Tbereupon Thorpe sprang to the rescue he
| had become quite dOmestlcated IN the mousse
from the frequency and duration OF ms visits,
and it was always his impulse to be KIND ana
attentive. Go c.11os.o.
vice =
NO. thank you-Ethe, said her mother,
turning now to that young lady VINO had at
! length come forward. / wish you would go to
fine conservatory and fetch me that new orchid
IA show Mr. Dudley The missions were APP
parentiy used up and horticulture reached
| Sir Cecil InterpOsed. saying that he would get
the flower and he begged ceremOn0usiy thaI
| NIss Spenser should not be troubled; but the
| latter had already passed into the conservatory:
| 'Will YOU allow me to reach 1t, Miss opensHI
! asked he coming up 10 Ethel as she was III the
act of stretching out her hand to gather the
Tpon hearing the freezing tones of his voice
| Ethel turned in surprise, and thus met his stern
regard matching the accents IN winch he spoke.
| Thank YOU have managed answered. sue
! with quiet dignity.
1t was such IA pity for youI very interesting
| conversation to be interrupted, SAID thorpe,
with what he intended to be cutting irony.
Not at all (; was glad of the change
| Ftbers innocence was dlsarmIng, and thorpe
had no intention of suffering in silence 80 he
resorted to plaInest protest. How could You 20
on with that detestable puppy III the manner
YOU have been doing all the evening
! What have | done wrong ? asked Ethel, the
sweet mouth beginning 10 dToOp, aud the tears
TO gather in her dark eyes. The poor child was
IGNORANT az to the nature of her offence, but It
was not the less upon that account cause oil
dismay.