Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-21
CHAPTER Z
AN UNsPoKEN RECoGNIrio>

AN CNSPOkEN RECOGNlllO-.
Mr. NJ. =. Parker, watching from the
window to see his enemy re-enter the
cab which had been waiting for him,
was electrified by seeing the old gentle
man turn and give him quite a friendly,
if mischieyOus grin. lie was not mis-
taken, though lie could hardly credit
the evidence OF his own senses. He was
still more surprised, five minutes later,
when Mary entered.
Good morning, Mrs. Allenby," he
said. offering her n chair. do sit down.
if you have a minute to spare. find it
quite impossible to study Just yet. DO
you know, just now, when that old
gentleman went away he smiled at me
in quite friendly manner. as if he
thought throwing arm-chairs at peoples
doors rather an agreeable mode of ask
ing for an introduction?"
ale is very sorry, Mr.. Parker" said
Mary, with smile in her softly-bril-
liant eyes; ''he would have come to
apologize, but he thought you would
not think it the worse if it came through
me-
MY dear lady, he might throw the
house at me. if he liked, on those con-
ditions.' Mr.. Parker knew what he
meant to convey, and Mary understood
him. "Of course if you wish me to for
give him. and not resent it, you know
~
II do, Mr.. Parker. You see, he is sin
cere in his regret; he requested me to
give you these, as kind of peace-offer-
ing-a pipe, | think, and some Latakia
tobacco. And he is coming to smoke
pipe with you some day. ! was to tell
you particularly not to make yourself i'll
by smoking cigarettes.
Good gracious me. Ny dear lady,
did you ever see such a magnificent
pipe? Quite a work of art. Look at the
delicate tracery of those minaret spires,
or whatever they are meant for.
should not be disposed to accept this,
but since you bring it, and am not to
smoke cigarettes. dare say he is right;
there is burnt-papery flavor about
them, and they may be bad for the
nerves--he ought to know. Perhaps it
is smoking such pipes as this that have
made him so strong; and the Germans
smoke big ppies, and they do not know
what nerves are. Now, you know, this
is very kind of him. Age has its Pc
culiarities-'
And they should be respected, or at
least endured, said Mary, gravely; but
not when they 90 too far. | am very
glad you spoke to him as you did"
Did he hear me?"
Not distinctly; but he could tell that
you were very angry and it seemed to
make an impression upon him. He
rather likes a man who can defend him
self"
"Well, really. you know, Mrs. Allen
by it was time to speak, and | should
have come upstairs but knew you were
there, and scene between two such
men might have upset YOU"
at would indeed, Mr.. Parker. You
were very kind to think Of that. VIII
you take tea with us this afternoon? |
expect Miss Allenhy here"
II shall only he too delighted, if you
are quite sure shall not be in the way
quite sure.
An angel he said. when she was
gone-"tWu angels. What magnih-
cent pipe. | will try il now. 1t may be
what have wanted 10 soOthe my nerves.
never thought the cigarettes might be
Injurious
II really was "a magnificent pipe; the
bowl finely carved, and Just colored at
the base to level biscuit-brown; the
stem, with an amber mOuthpiece of six
inches, was nearly thirteen inches long
MI Parker removed the wadding, adj
iusted the ping, and filled it carefully.
1t held nearly half-an-ounce, and he
found it very soothing, so he filled it
again.
About the time he got to the end Of
this he began TO think he was on board
channel steamer with rough sea run
ming; the carpet rose in waves and the
couch he took refuge on swayed and
swung with him. Putting his pipe safe
ly in its case, with a last expiring effort
he felt his way along tho wall into th-
next room, and fell on the bed with an
indistinct idea thai the end of the world
had come for him. That day he smoked
no more,