Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-08-31
CHAPTER XXI.


1.-The compliments of Madame
Florine to Mr.. Launcelot Harrington,
and she begs the pleasure of his pres
cnce at her petit SOUpcr on Wednesday
next
The dainty, pearl-gray note Of in
vitation, lay in full view upon Mr..
Launcelot Farrington's writing-table,
and madame, his grandmother, stoop-
ing over To read the struggling Italian
characters, had an expression very like
horror printed upon her stern, wrinkled
face.
Her grandson had tried her sorelv
since their return to New Orleans, six
months ago. IL had begun by his de-
serting the home he had always had in
her house, and taking rooms ut the St.
Charles.
That any benefit could be derived
from such n change. Madame Earring
ton greatly doubted; and by-and-by
rumorS came To her in n roundabout
way that Launt was neglecting his busi-
ness, that he was keeping late hours,
that he was falling in with class of as
sociateS whose influence. to say the
least. could not be for good. She had
tried to ignore these stories; she wanted
20 believe NO evil of him; but the time
came when she could ignore them no
longer. She had come on this morning
to demonstrate with him. had been
shown to his room from which he was
absent ut the moment. and found that
note which seemed To her n corrobora-
ton of all she had lately heard
The door opened and he entered;
Madame Harrington faced him like an
accusing spirit, the offending missive
held up TO sight.
Launcelot," she inquired, sternly.
"What does this mean?H
Launt glanced at il carelcssiy. cit
means that / am asked To meet a few
friends ut Madame Florine's aDart-
ments after the thcater is Over-plain
enough. should imagine. for the dull
est comprehension To take In at sight. 4"
You understand what | mean better
than you pretend. Oh. my boy. NV
poor boyl" with a break i'm her voice.
lis your life. after all. TO end in this ,
Did YOU think il would not come tn me ?
Oh, Launt, my more than son. come
back to me! Give up the ruinous course
which will break my heart"
Launt set mis- lips and looked at her
full.
What Is it you have heard?r he
asked. cOldly.
What need is there 70 tell? You
know better than l. IL you will have
Il, that you are throwing away your life
as your father threw his away. that YOU
are taking the same path. That YOU
belong To a club which Is only n fashion
able gambling den. that you are living
beyond your means. that YOU associate
with fast men and faster women
women like his-though that you should
be victimized by her. n WORKOUT actress,
woman old enough To be YOUR
mother. she was about to saw. but she
choked ut the word. Il would not have
believed il, IL IL had been told me-"
Launt listened very quietly, with
neither ange~ nor resentment. A light
Of scOrn and amusement shot for an in
slant across his face, but died almost
immediately in look of utter weari-
IL assure you,'' he said. '.you are
distressing yourself without the slight
est cause. 1 did try the experiment of
some of those follies, but gambling,
Wiut VI Moiutu uaNt uo CndTm LOT me.
l think-I could go through a fiery fur
mace of that sort without the slightest
injury to my morals. In fact, an so
thoroughly weary of the course YOU
deprecate, that Ihave made up my mind
to an entire change"
You will come back to me, Launt?''
Il shall join an expedition which Is
fitting up now for the Polar seas"
There was heart-broken cry, a sob
bing wall Of loss and pain.
''As IL had not had trouble enough
in my life. Oh. Launtl oh. my bow!
have you no mercy on me?'
The look on Launt's face told her
more plainly than words that remon-
STRANGE was useless.
She rose to go. SoE0e of her COM
posure had returned. Whatever Mime.
Harrington might fecl, she had learned
well the lesson Of stern self-control.
Her eyes fell upon the note which had
escaped from her thoughts.
" At least" she said, promise me
that you win not 90 To that woman's
house No good can come of II, and It
Is n small concessi IN for you 10 make
now. Refuse Nine. Eorine's invitation
% please me. Launk"