New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-29

trim directness that suggested prompt and capable
attendance from interior quarters. Whle Claire
waited for admission she cast her look downward
upon the middle street, and across at the line Oh
opposite residences, all marked by calm uniform
lty of elegance The sight was very new TO
her after Greenpoint, but at the same time
it stirred certain sources OF youthful recoi-
lection. Many carriages were passing One
or two were shaped with fashionaDies Ga,
a booted and cockaded turnkey who sat In cramped
obique posture, with bis back TO the other occu;
pants lady and gentleman and who seemed
forever taking a resigned plunge, off the vehicle
with stoicaly folded arms Another was heavy
sombre family coach, with two men on the box,
both clad IN dark. dignifed livery Still another
was the so-caled dog cart. borne along by team
of responsible silyer-trapped bays, and having on
It's second seat footman graclously permitted, In
this instance, to face the horses whose lustrous
fanks his own ha1ds had doubtless groomsd into
their present briliance. The two parallel yet con-
trary streams of vehicles made an lncessant suo-
dued clatter numerous pedestrians were also pass
ing and fro along either sidewalk; inc weather
had changed again from harsh TO clenent the strip
OF clear. blue sky above the massive housetopS wore
shining deicacy and airiness of TINT; even Clares
new wound, that still bled unseen. could not
distract her from buoyant congenality
with the prosperous and festal tumut so
amply manifest. She understood then, and perhaps
with quam OF shame as we'll, that no grlet could
quite repress however ransiently her love for me-
action and refined social intercourse. Inc old de-
sire TO win noted place among those OF her own
kind who were themselves notable. qulckened
within her, too, as she gazed upon the orght Dnsts
near at hand.
Near she unused, and yet so farl Shall ever
do what he babe me TO DO on that night long ago
Shall ever climb the hill Shall not grow tired
aud sit down to rest 7 What chance have noc Of
ever reaching the topf Where is the band to help
Itf Yes if the ways of the world haven't changed
her since we met at school"
A man servant, in what is termed ull.dress, soon
opened the door, and Claire asked II Miss SOPHIA
Bergcmann was at home. The man appeared to be q
very majestic person. Clare felt a good
deal OF secret awe IN his presence. ne nad
atorial nose, and two oblong tufts OF sorrel
whisker, growing with messy density close to
either ear .
But he was very civil, Notwithstanding his
grandeur. lie told Claire, in n rich voice that
would have deepened her veneration II 1t had not
been Dlent nth q valiant Northumberland DrOgne,
that Miss Bergemann was at homo but about to
leave the house for drive
The hall IN which this announcement was made
glOwed with sumptuous yet tasteful decorations.
dark curve OF heavy -balustsred staircase, which
four OF FIVE persons might have assembled abreast,
met the eye only short space away rom the
lofty ceiling depended costly lamp oil lllunned
glass Soft, thick tapestries OF Turkish design
dropped from several near doorways. heet re-
membrance of the old school-room sarcasms about
the Bergemanns' vulgar HUbOken home flashed
through Clalre's mind. .
Will you tell Miss Sophia please" she said. in
as firm and calm q way as she could manage,
" that Miss Twining, whom she knew some years
ago. would like to speak with her r.
The butler was about to reply, when loud
gions. In reality 1t was the voice OF lady who
had already descended several steps of the broad,
winding staircase; but the lady was sun IN oD-
scurty and therefore the liberal size of the house
caused her tones to sound as II they had come
from still greater distance !" Michael" shriled
the voice, see the carriage isn't mere ysIS; aCs
has done this twice before in one week NOW,
you Just send Robert straight round TO the stable
and let him say that we're very angry about IL,
and that Ma won't put up with such behavior If
it ever happens again $780, ..A
The butler had left Claire before the end OF the
final belgerent sentence, and had moved, with
certain military briskness, toward the hrst WIDE
Yes Miss SOPHIA he said employing his fine
sonorous voice so that II somehow had the effect
OF not being unduly raised, though stul strongly
audible The next moment he turned toward
Claire with men In WHEN n' en,,srsd o'''
Miss Sophia IS coming downstairs MISS" ne
said.
Claire had swift feeling of gratitude for that
single word % Miss" She knew that she was
dinghy clothed; she had fancied that all her
claims to the nicer grades of gentllty lived solely
within ner mental wish and hope; but she Jailed
TO perceivo that her face was filled with thoso
! tender and sweet charms which we term patrlclan
aud that her least gesture carried with II grace
which previous conditions of culture alono nave the
| ART 10 bestow lie was indeed true, Michael had
said that Miss Sophia was coming downstairs
Claire soon heard decisive rustic of robes, AID
presently n descendant shape dawned upon her
view urrayed in very modish costume
But the instant that Clare caught sight of Sophia
she recognized the plump, rubicund lace, grown
only a tribe mors womany beneath It's iOw,ar-
ranged floss of yellow hair. She went forward 10
meet her old friend. Just as Sophia left the last
step of the staircase Claire had so managed that
they stood very near TO each other. 80
sShe,did not put forth hand. Herpale, Deautiiui
face mad grown paer, through fear of some possibly
naughty reception But sne sPGHe ns met THr .u'
II hope you know me-" she said. &" hope you
have not forgotten me-"
A blank, disuiayed look possessed Sophia for a
&
which were sheathed halfway up to the elbow 10
dull.5rown gloves, SEEING both OF CIalreb hands
the next instant.
"Forgotten YOU she cried. why. you're
Claire Twlningl or course you are! And as pretty
as a picture. Just rs you always were ! Why. you
dear old thing Give me kiss ".,,..,,
Claire felt the lips OF the speaker forcibly touch
each of her cheeks Sophia still held her hanGs
The welcome bad been too abruptly cordial. A
mist slipped before her sight and clouded her ofaln'
Perhaos sne would have fallen, if the magnificent
Michael had not been near enough TO place a mus.
cuar arm between herself and the noor. Dut sue
rallied almost nc once. And while cearness was
returnng TO her mind she heard Sophia soy, In I'M
perious yet hearty tones:
"Michasl take her into the recoptionroom!
Now. don't look 50 stupid DO rs sayW
Clnirss attack, though more than partly past,
still left her weak. She allowed herself to be led
and indeed half-supported, by Michael. little
later she was seated on big, yielding lounge with
the sense OF a big. yielding pillow at her back Ana
presently. close beside her, she saw the ruupy
breakdown face of sophia, surmounted Oy "a IA
risan bonnet OF the most deft aud dainty millinery
sophia" she sand, break king INTO a ,tremuious
pathetic little laugh, "pease dOn't-ptedse dout
think I've lost my senses! But lit was so good
of YOU to-remember me. after we hadn't met Tor
such long time that-that i"
Here Claire burst into An actual tempest of tears
and sobs aud Immediately afterward felt Sophlas
hands again clasp both her own.
Michaelw cried her new hostess at the same
nomant IN tones of imperative command "fvr
Heavens sake don't stand staring there, but do
leave the roomw
ayes. Miss" came the nicely decorous reply.
Families servant as he II must still be SET 10
tbe crsdit of Michael that he closed sliding door
Of solid rosewood, which worked on easy grooves
botween the double pOrtiere of the apartment Just
after crossing its threshold His act was wholly
unnecessary considering the nature OF the COM
mond his Young mistress had given; and when We
no,c the ohsructlng forcs of the door itself, 1t n-