Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-03-21


mites of doing that. il you look for them.
And perhaps you would be very kind and
write me line every now and then to tell
me how matters are going"
The Professor shook his head, and said
he feared Mrs. Annesley was leaning upon
a broken reed. Nevertheless. he prom ised
to do his best, and promises with him
always meant good deal. For the sake
of old days he was willing to do Mrs.
Annesley kindness; for the young mans
own sake he would gladly have disappoint-
ed the harry; finally. he thought he would
be rendering no small service to his friend
Cecil if he could bring about a marriage
between TIE daughter of that not very
wealthy country gentleman and one of the
richest bachelors in England. The only
question was how to set about achieving
80 desirable result.
A man may be learned historian and
a dignitary of the Church, and yet retain
a good deal of that diffidence which js
more becoming than common among his
juniors. Canon Stanwick, for one, carried
modesty almost to the dimensions of a
vice. He was very shy of young men; he
did not know what to Say to them; he felt
onvinced-possibly not without reason
that they must find him an old bore and
how to ingratiate himgelf with dashihg
young cavalry officer was puzzle beyond
the compass of his Imagination to solve.
However, he had pledged his word that he
would do this, and accordingly. on the day
friends to dinner, aud invited Mr.. Annes-
ley to join the party.
The young man came, and made himself
so agreeable to the old ladies and gentle
men whom he met that they were delight
ed with him, and allowed him to monopo-
lize the lions share of the conversation
Which thing they would assuredlY not
have permitted in the case of any ordinary
lancer or hussar; for in Lichbdry the
Church is disposed to look trife askance
at the army. and to stand upon its dignity
with the representatives Of the latter
who are Overmuch given to riot and un-
seemly pranks. But about this particular
lancer there was perfect simplicity of
thought and language which, combined
with touch of military swagger. was
quite irresistible; and so it came to pass
that Canon Stanwick's first dinner party
proved the merriest that had been given
in the precinct for many long day. AS
for the Professor, he began to feel a
quasi-fatherly interest in the son of his
former fame, and when the rest OF
the guests had departed, ventured to de-
tain him.
do you ever-er-smoke cigar before
you 90 to bed ?" he asked hesitatingly.
II should be precious sorry to 60 to bed
,uathout smoking cigar" answered the
other, laughing.
"Oh,' said the Professor. s'Well, I
have formed the same habit myself, and if
you had nothing better to do, and cared to
keep me company for half an hour in my
study. could offer you a tolerably good
cigar. think; and-and I believe you'll
find some soda-water and brandy on the
table,
So presently this oddly-matched pair
were seated opposite to one another in the
spacious room which served its present
owner as library and study. the bust Of
Roman emperors and Greek philosophers
looking down upon them from above the
bookcases with an air of grave surprise.
The Professor was little timid and awk-
ward at fist, but the younger man soon
set him at his ease. aud when he had re-
ceived good deal of amusing informa-
tion about the inhabitants of Lichburg
and Its neighborhood, he thought he
might feel bis way towards the subject
which he was determined to breach.
II know very few people in these parts"
he remarked; Il have not been here long,
and am generally much occupied. But I
have long. standing acquaintance with
the Cecils, who think are also friends of
yours"
"Oh, ratherl" responded the young man
heartily. known them all my life. Aw-
fully jolly people-avfully good old chap,
old Cecil. And Mrs. Cecil-she's awfully
jolly too"
Bob Annesley s vocabulary of adjectives
made up in emphasis what it lacked in va
riety.
land Miss Cecil PSI the Professor said.
81 have only been fortunate enough to
meet her once, but am told that she isa
beautiful and charming young
lady,"
This leading observation elected some
what less cordial assent from Bob, who
There's no question about
that" and looked rather grave for few
seconds.
81 was thinking" went on the willy
Professor, "that should very much like
to see more of her, her father having been
such an intimate friend OF mine in former
years; but hesitate to ask young people
into my dull house unless can provide
some sort of amusement for them. Do you
think there would be room for a lawn
tennis court in the garden ?'
'Oh, Lord bless your soul, yes!" an
swered the young man, rising to the fly
most satisfactorily; heaps of room! I'll
tell you what; if you'd like me to mark
out the court for you, III do it to. morrow
with the greatest of pleasure, and could
make up four any day that suited you
and Miss Cecil
II should be very much obliged to you.
Let me see: you would want another LADY.
your" said the Professor, with
some fear that his accomm odating guest
might offer to bring Mrs. Harrington.
He was relieved to find that no such in.
discretion was contemplated. The young
man said there were the Deans daugh-
=