The Monitor., 1884-02-15

Ben was on the QW Da0e, Hitting hlther and
thither, her round rosy face looking as fresh
and merry as it had ten years before.
Oh, Laura can hardly wait to see him.
Dear old Ralph Such delightful times as we
shall have. just to think, we have not seen
him in four whole years wonder if he will
think have improved any, and how he will
look ?"
Miss Laura smoothed down the folds of her
new silk, and, after viewing herself most COM
placently in the pier glass, exclaimed rather
impatiently, "Do for once be a little more
dignifed. One would think you expected to
march Ralph off for a game of ball or
hide and seek, you are SO childish in your
manner and speech
Carriage wheels were heard and Bell dashed
off, followed by Miss Laura, as fast as her
ideas of dignity and her trailing robe would
permit.
Ralph Wilmot, bronzed by exposure in for
eign climes, with somewhat more of breadth
and Drawn of muscle, otherwise the same
handsome manly fellow, greeted ALL from
sire to servant, with his warm, hearty clasp of
hand and tender words of pleasure at seeing
them again.
Bell was wild with delight, Laura a trife
disappointed. If he would only be more
reserved, little more hauteur of manner. To
think of his shaking hands with the cook and
chambermaid and all the rest of them as
though they were ladies. just like some of
fathers ridiculous notions in allowing them
to come up stairs and meet Ralph"
Such glorious days as followed. Days with
balmy, fragrant air, such as are only seen in
June, with the drowsy hum of insect life, the
futter and warbling of birds, the soft muir
mur of waters, nature indeed seemed rela-
tive and mere existence pleasure. Il.
With Ralph to plan and throw zest into all
their amusements, how the days seemed to fly
Then the many quiet little confidential chats
they had again together, Bell and Ralph.
On one of these occasions Ralph said, So
you never found out where they went 2"
:" No. We were away for a few weeks. and
when we came home the cook said that Mar
ion had called to see me and said they were
going away with her uncle, who had come
for them, and she left goodbye to me. I've
never heard of them since. Mother says they
were wealthy at one time, and she thinks the
uncle is rich and they have gone away and do
not want people to know where for fear it
might be found out where they have gone.
How poor and unnoticed they were here. ,
But don't believe it. They were the soul of
honor, all of them. Mrs. Grey said one time
she recognized no such distinction as some
made with wealthy, falsely called aristocracy.
There was no nobility in our republic, save
that of nobility of soul and intellect Such
a sweet lady. I wish mother was more like
her."
Swell, Bell perhaps I may meet them
somewhere. You know I'm to make my mark,
to climb my way up, and in my profession I'll
be thrown among all classes. Pm happy here
with you, but it's not just the right sort of
thing to be doing, to live life of idleness
and pleasure, if am the only son of mil
lionaire."
At luncheon Bell said to Laura, Ralph
says he may meet the Greys when he goes to
the city"
4'Yes, that's right, hunt up Marion and
make her Mrs. Ralph Wilmot 1t would be
quite romantic. For my part cannot see
what you and Ralph ever could see in that
little scarecrow that you should 60 off into
such ecstacies over her, and the whole fam
lily for that matter" and Miss Laura elevated
her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders.
Laura Wilmot was seated in her room men,
tally deciding whether it would pay to dress
in handsome toilet or meet her brother and
his friend as she was. Its only poor pro-
fessor, and very likely homely and hump
backed What does possess Ralph to become
acquainted with such class of people" Van
ity suggested, why not get up toilet that
will cause him to open his eyes. 1t pleased
her. Later when she swept into the hand
somely furnished drawing g-room in her soft
trailing silk with elegant laces and diamonds
to meet her brother and his friend, she ex-
pected look of profound admiration. But
in that she was disappointed. After an ac-
knowledgment of the introduction the friend
continued talking to her father. AS she list
ened she could but acknowledge that he was
well informed, and also not lacking in ele-
gance of person and manners. But to think
he should be 80 unmindful of her presence!
In the week that followed the strange guest
Mr.. Fancher by name, became fayorite with
ALL With the senior Wilmot he was on fine
terms, owing greatly to his cultivated mind
and fine conversational powers. With the
ladies as gentleman of elegant manners and
thoughtful attention. With Ralph as genial
companion. And SO it was, as the week came
to q close, and with Ralph he was about to
depart, all seemed to share feeling of regret.
So with pressing invitations to repeat the
VISIT and promises to do SO, with pleasure,
they were gone, Ralph and the poor professor.
~
Long Branch at the height of the season !;
Recherche toilets filed the grand rooms;
The air heavy with the perfume of flowers !;
Sweet strains of music hoated through the
open windows. The low murmuring of the
sea forming, as it were, deep undertone to
the sound of voices.
The Wilmots were there, Laura looking
very stately in her costly attire.
"The new arrivals are to appear tonight" "
said Bell, ''and they say Miss Fancher is
quite literary star, and would be one soci-