The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-08-19

prudence and run away; she would go fast
enough if he asked her; bat will give him
the credit of being high-minded SORT of
fellow. He would think twice before he
dragged young girl into poverty. OF course
| never could consent to such thing; /
should consider myself a wicked woman if I
did. although like Mr.. Grantley-n
sIEh! what is the name." said Mr.. Partridge,
suddenly.
"Grantlev-John Grantley. believe his
parents were rich once, but he is poor enough
now in all conscience. lie is perfect gen
tleman, although rather blunt and short
spoken. and his habits are all that one could
wish: but he does not succeed as a lawyern
.'Too honest,n said Mr.. Partridge, grimly-
''too honest and too bluff. l know Jack
we'll In fact, he is my nephew, and he and
NV son were great friends when they were
bows He used to come here often then, and
liked him; but he grew up and went to col
lege and studied law, although didmy best to
persuade him TO go into the tea and coffee
trade with my old friends, Some IL Johnson
| hate lawyers; there is one in New DIRK that
is making a fortune out of me, and whetting
his knife to cut me up when am dead; but
have to employ him. When Jack said he was
going to be "A lawyer, l spoke my mind pretty
freely, and Jack spoke his quite as freely,
instead of holding his tongue. The result
was, he marched out of my library with his
nose in the air, and | have never seen him
since. His father went all to pieces and died
not long after. And so Jack is ont in Chi
cago, trying to practice law! He will never
succeed
ale is your nephew?' cried Mrs. Larrabee.
Certainly, my nephew. | have dozen
nephews and nieces in various parts of the
world waiting for me to die. They are all
civil, well-behaved young people, and show a
deep interest in my health, which is very
gratifying. Jack, however, has cut my ac-
quaintance. 1 guess he wishes he had gone
into the tea and coffee trade now" Al
at was very stupid of him not to- said
Mrs. Larrabee. young people should have
sense enough to take the advice of their par
ents and relations"
"If had taken the advice OF mine should
be a Presbyterian parson, " said Mr. Partridge,
with a laugh. al am glad | didn't but |
should be willing to bet good deal tiat Jack
wishes he had taken mine. He could have
married his Ellen tomorrow, and gren her
coupe to go shopping in"
Gle has proved himself a very foolish young
man." said Mrs. Larrabee. whit you tell
me about him proves that my husbard's opinion
is perfectly correct. He says tha5Jack is one
of those men bound never to succeed. But
Ellen is very fond of him. He lives
two doors below us, and she s always at
the window to see him pass HedoeSn't come
to our house any more, for of course we had
to put stop his visits, but am afraid he
and Ellen write to each other
81 dare say they do" Mr. Partridge re-
joined. " Perhaps this unhappy love-affair has
had something to do with Mss Ellen's pale
face"
go, she has moped sadly, Mr.. Partridge. l
hoped that she would go to Vlssar, and there,
among new associations, forget him, but now
that has failed, and | am atmy wits end. |
positively dread going back to Chicago and
meeting Mr.. La"rabec. We were confident
that Ellen could enter the Freshman class at
college, and then she would nave been settled
for four wears, and her diploma would have
been of great assistance in getting her place
afterWard as a teacher. We ihink great deal
Of a VaSsar diploma out Wes5, Mr.. Partridge"
He smoked his cigar agan in silence, and
watched the slim figure wandering down the
rose-alley. I" Poor girl!'' said he at last.
"Shc is, indeed, to be pi;ie /, said Mrs. Lar
rabee, wi h a sigh that SET all the bugles on
her gown to jingiing. She is one of those
helpless women. Now, ] think that If | were
thrown upon my own resources | could do
something or other to win my bread and but
ter"
"Idon't believe you could pass the Vassar
examinations" said Mr. Partridge bluntly.
"Ah, but | have not had Ellen's advan-
tages," cried the lady, in expo 'tulation. "She
has been studying year, just to be ready, and
yet she has failed utterly"
" Love affairs are apt to interfere wi h stud
Ellen now came toward the piazza big
bouquet of roses in her hand and the old span
iel pattering along at her side.
Poor Beppo"' said Mr.. Partridge,
so he has made friends with you, Miss
Ellen! He is a faithful old dog, and
misses the petting that his mistress used
to give him. Someway, he never cared for
me particularly, but he has taken liking to
you, evidently. Don't let him annoy you"
so, Ellen is fond of animals" said Mrs.
Larrabee. "What! these roses for mea You
really are too generous, Mr.. Partridge, and |
must give this one back" She fastened the
yellow rose on the lapel of the old gentleman's
coat with sprightly, coquettish smile, while
he submitted and looked tritle foolish
Then he led them back into the house,
guiding them first into large room, lined
from floor to ceiling with books, save over the
mantel -shelf, where there hung portrait OF
an elderly, sweet-faced woman. This is my
library" he said hating and glancing with a
comical smile at Ellen. GA dreadful place for
ayoung lady like you, who cannot be learned,
| isn'tit! But don't be alarmed; | won't so
much as show you an arithmetic. This" he
continued, opening a door, sis the music.
| room. My boy was very fond of music. vi
course you play and sing, Miss Ellen!'
eyes; but not WELL" she replied. 81 have
no talent for anything in particular. begin
to think / am very mediocre"
"What! can't you execute any of those
wonderful tinger-gymnas les! Can't you
MARBLE an Italian aria: Upon my word,
| didn't suppose there was such an ignorant
| young lady left in the world. Well, sit dowr
and sing something or other for me. | assure
| YOU am almost as unlearned as you are, il
not quite; so | shall not be critical"
Ellen was not in the least afraid of him, fol
! il she was deficient in mathematics she wa.
not in mother-wit, and she understood hi
feigned horror at her ignorance SO sh,
seated herself at the piano, calm and conf
dent, and sang one Of those ballads that ole
gentlemen like George Reed Partridge alway.
love t. hear. As he sat and listened ant
| looked at her, she reminded him of his dead
wife. She, too, had once just such soft brown
hair and eyes; she, too, had often sung th
very ballad Memories stole over him of swee
| bv-gone days, and the lines Of his face soft
ened, and the merry twinkle in his ewes wa,
quenched. When the last notes of the balla,
faded away, he came and laid his hand OF
| Ellen's shoulder. "Thauk you; YOU sanp tina
very sweetly, my child" said he.
She glanced up in his face, and saw wha
was written there and quick tears came to he
eyes. She understood that she had touched
| some chord of his heart. She pited the lionel
| old man.
"Elen would have'a very good voice IL
were only cultivated said Mrs. Larrabee.
at suits me just as it isl said Mr. Part
ridge, almost roughly.
lie did not ask her to sing again, and, afte
some desultory conversation, Mrs. Larrabe,
declared that It was time for them to retur,
to the hotel. Mr.. Partridge thereupon ordere,
the carriage, and it was soon driven up to TN
door The three miles to Poughkeepse wer
accomplished in short time, aud the tw,
| ladies found themselves once moro alona /;