Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-07-12
In the Palace Of Truth,

of future fame, returning home the 9th.
er night in an unenviable bad humor,
found certain little note awaiting him
on his mantel piece. 1t had just come,
his landl dy said, and slowly tearing
open the envelope, Dick read::as:follows
MY DEAR Mr.. TURNER MANY
thanks for your lovely flowers, which
have been greatly admired. Itwas like
your thoughtfulness to remember my
birthday when had almost forgotten
it myself. was SO sorry to miss your
call this afternoon.
Sincerely yours,
FLORENCE REDIFER.
A very gracious little note. but for
some reason it appeared to afford its
reader but small satisfaction. Dick read
it twice with a curling lip. then tossing
it into the scrap basket, he lit cigar.
stretched himself in an easy chair and
thoughtfully observed through the
smoke wreaths that began to float
around his head: "What precious lit
tie liar she Is! As II I didn't see her,
ten minutes after she was mot at home
with Tom Baker in that cOnfoundediy
jerky dog cart of his. Shouldn't won
der If he had jerked her out too before
they got home; and serve her right, too!
Why, Snip, what is the matter with
you, sir ?''
Snip was the skye terrier, who failing
to understand why he had been slight
ed, was seeking to secure the masters
notice by sitting upright aud waving
his front paws to and fro in gentle and
deprecating fashion.
"Did hurt your feelings. poor little
boy 2" said Dick, tenderIy. "Wen, I
wouldn't, I assure you, for dozen little
f1irts like Florence Redifer, but do
think, Snip, and expect you to agree
with me, that we would all be much
better off If women and men, too, would
say out truthfully what was In their
minds instead of this eternal beating
around the bush. Why can't people be
little more candid with their fellow
creatures instead Of fooling them to the
top Of their bent and then laughing be.
hind their backs? Do you know, Snip?"
Snip didn't know, but he was the last
dog in the world to confess his ignor-
ance, so assuming q look of wisdom
which Solomon might have envied, he
gave mysterious little bark that could
mean anything and composed himself
again to listen.
Just 8 o'clock, said Dick, consulting
his watch. I'm two hours I've got to
dress and go to Mrs. Grey's ball, the
biggest bore of the season I haven't q
doubt, but there is no escaping it.
Aren't you glad, Snip, you don't have
to 20 to balls ?"
Snip barked again, this time In an af-
hrmative manner. He always accom-.
modated himself to his masters moods
and was well accustomed to be question:
ed. Alert and vigilant he watched the
cigar dwindle down by slow degrees.
while he waited in well. bred silence for
q renewal of the conversation. But Dick
was drowsy and cross, and when the
cigar was smoked out he turned his head
sside and fell fast asleep, while his little
dog, curled contentedly around his feet,
looked up into his masters face with q
world of patient love in his honest bright
eyes.
Seven, 8, 9, 10. Was 1t possible that
he had slept nearly two hours, and the
clock was striking 10? Dick jumped up.
glanced ct his watch to make sure, and
with stifled groan prepared to induct
himself into his dress suit. This was
never q very rapid process with him,
and by the time he entered Mrs. Grey's
brilliantly lighted house the great clock
in the hall was pointing to quarter past
eleven.
The rooms were crowded and sitting.
ly hot. The very flowers appeared to
droop under the glare and the heat, all
except some deep red roses which had
been arranged in sentence over the
doorway, and whose glowing hearts pre-
sented the most sumptuous and intense
bit of coloring, even in that many-hued
apartment. It wss strange, but Dick
found himself unable to read that sem
tence, although composed Of only three
short works. The language, even the
letters, were unknown to him, and for
half minute he stood puzzling over the
mystery. Then the incoming crowd
gently showed him aside, and abandon.
ing the effort. he made the best OF his
way toward the hostess. A pretty little
woman, ,magnificently dressed but SEEM
ingly already much fatigued with the
work In hand, half smiled as Dick edg-
ed up to her. =.
"Have you just come, Mr.. Turner !"
She said. II thought you were to be
one of my early BIRDS"
$50 would have been," he explains
and did not wake up in time"
ILL., bQRb W % tAO O0S0g W % AZ " SAAf
such q lengthy nap ought to brighten
yon up beautifully for the rest Of the
evening. Sometimes, you know, you
are rather stupid.
Dick looked at her to see If she meant
q joke, but her pretty face was gravely
raised to his. "You are flattering me, !"
he said shortly.
II don't mean to, indeed" she an
swered, quite earnestly. "But there are
plenty Of men who are always stupid,
while you can be rather entertaining,
when you are At your best" "a ana : nars sne
batch Of guests.
"Was ever damned with such faint
praise before ?' thought Dick. II won
der If I am at my best to night :"
For . minute he stood taking survey
of the scene before him. The musicians
were playing waltz, and playing II