The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-07-27
losvlAs.t v.,vsuus - II wish to ~.

It." "a III ~. D 4
"yss ~ nsvsr sesik Mildred. Idont sss
wAy you should sahs % Ter granted that !
would aceopt'hlm."
disagreaAbls qualities. He v probably not
very we'll of. don't know what 10 the pAy Of
Captain In the navy"
'Its sslisf 70 and these issonsthiAg you
don't know" Kate Theory broke In.
But whom am gone" her sister went on
calmly. whoa am COMO thsre viu b plenty
for both Of you"
The younger sIstsr. At this. was silent for .
moment: then she exclaimed. Mildred. you
may be out Of health. but don't see why you
should be dreAdfulr'
You know that since We have been leading
this life We have seen no one we liked bettcr."
said Milly. When she spoke OF the life they
we're lsading-there was always . soft resigna-
ton Of regret and contempt In tho allusion-
she meant the southern winters. the foreign
climates. the vain experimental. tho lonely
waitines. the wasted hours. tho intermipable
rains. the bad food. tie pottering. hunbueeing
doctors. the damp pensions. the chance en-
oouAtsrs. the atiul apparittons Of fellow.trav.
oilers.
why shouldn't you speak for yourself alons7
Tam glad vosi like him. Mildred"
If you don't like him. why do you give him
oraneeade"
At this enquiry Kate began to laugh. and her
sister continued
''of course you are glad like him. my
dear. II didn't like him. and you did, It
wouldn't be satisfactory at all. I can imagine
nothing moro miserable; I shouldn't die In
any sort Of comfort"
Kate Theory usually checked this sort II
allusion-shc was always too late-with a kiss !;
hfYtn ~ ai oh q
long tinne since Mildred had tormented her 90
much 40 she had dono to-day. You will mako
me hate him." she added.
We'll. that proves you don't already" Milly
rejoined: and It happened that almost at this
moment they Jaw. In tho golden afternoon.
Capt. Benyons boat approaching the steps at
the end OF the garden. He camo that day. and
no came two days later and he csnre yet once
again sfter an Interval equally brief. before
Percival Theory arrived with Mrs. Percival
from Rome. He seemed anxious to crowd into
these few days, a. no would have said. good
deal Of Intercourse with tho two invariably
nice girls-or nice women he hardly knew
which to call them-whom In the course OF .
long. idle. rather tedious detention at
Naples he had discovered in tho lovely
suburb Of Posilippo. 1t was the American
Consul who had put him Into relation with
them; the sisters had had to sign In the Con-
sul's presence some law papers. transmitted to
them By the man Of business who looked after
their httse property In America. and the kindly
functionary. taking advantage Of the pretext
tCapt. Benyon happened to como into the con.
sulsts a. he was starting. indulgently. to wait
upon the ladies, to bring together 1.-TWO par
ties" who. as he said. ought to appreciate each
other. proposed to his fellow officor in the ser
vice OF the United States that he should 60 with
him as witness Of the little ceremony. He
might. Of course. take his clerk. but the Captain
would do much better; and he represented to
Benyon that the Mise Theories (slngu-
lar name. Want Np) suffpred-hs was
sure from q lack OF society: also
that one OF them was very sick that
they were real pleasant and extraordinarily re-
fncd. and that the sight Of com patriot literal
~ draped. as 1t wore. in the national banner.
would cheer them ND moro than most any thing.
and give them sense OF protection. They
had talked to tho Consul about Dsnyon's ship.
which they could see from their windows In
tho distance at its anchorage. They were the
only American ladies then at Naples-the only
residents. at least and the Captain wouldn't
be doing the polite thing unless he went to pay
them his respects. Benyon felt afresh how lit
tie 1t was his line to call upon strange women |;
no was not in the habit Of hunting Mp female
acquaintance. or Of looking out for tho soft
emotions which the sex only can inspire. He
bad his reasons for this abstention. and he SOL
dom relaxed 1t: but the Consul appealed to him
on rather strong grounds. and he suffered
himself to be persuaded. He was far from re-
gretting. during the frst weeks at lsast an act
which was distinctly Inconsistent with his
great rule-that OF never exposing himself to
the chance OF seriously caring for an unmar-
ried woman. He had boen OBLIGED to make
this rule. and had adhered to 1t with some sue
cess. He was fond OF women. but no was forced
to restrict himself to superficial sentiments.
There was no use tumbing into situations
from which the only possible issue was a re-
treat. The step he had taken with regard to
poor Miss Theory and her delightful little sis
ter was an exception on which ut first he could
only congratulate himself. That had been n
happy idea OF the Eliminating old Consul 1t
made Capt. Benyon forgive him his hat. his
boots. his shirt front. costume which might
DO considered representative. and the effect of
which was to mako the observer turn with rap
ture to half-naked iazzarone. On either
side the acquaintance had helped the time to
pass. and the hours he spent ut the little psn-
sion at Posilippo left sweet-and by no means
innutritive-tasto behind.
As the weeks went by his exception had
grown 10 look good deal like a rule; but he
was able to remind himself that the path OF re-
treat was always open to him. Moreover, II he
should fall In love with the younger girl there
would be no great harm. for Kate Theory was
In love with her sister. and 1t would matter
worry little to her whether he advanced or re-
treated. She Was very attractive. or rather. she
was worry attracting. Small. pale. attentive.
without rigidity full OF pretty curves and
quick movements. abe looked as II tho habit Of
watching and serving had taken complete pos
session of her. and wss literally q little sister
Of charity. Her thick black hair Was pushed
behind her cars. as II to help her to listen. and
her clear brown eyes had the smile of person
too full OF tact to carry q dull foce to q sick
bed.
She spoke In an encouraging voice. and had
soothing and unselish habits. She was very
pretty-producing o cheerful effect of con-
trasted black and white. and dressed herself
daintlly. 80 that Mildred might have some
thing agreeable to look at. Benyon very soon
perceived that there was fund OF good service
In her. Her sister had 1t oil now; but poor