The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-12-11
Mr.. GilFIL's MANEUvER.
By NJ. c. FARLEY.

1t was regular crush.
Not one Of the dear five hundred"
had sent an excuse, but, to the last man
and the last woman, had put in IN ap-
pearance. And the result was some-
thing unprecedented, even to habitual
party-goers.
Mr.. Gilfil, Junior, just returned
from two years absence in Europe,
Immediately voted the whole thing a
"deuced bore, as he leisurely ascended
the broad marble steps and made his
way to the gentlemen's dressing-room.
A man in waiting hastened to his as,
sistance.
II am all right, am I not ?" asked Mr..
Gilfil, languidly.
"Right as trivet, sir, said the valet,
respectfully, his eye resting approx
ingly upon the tall and we'll built figure,
attired in irreproachable evening cos
tune; "but if your booka, sir. was
lowered triiie TO the left" He
finished the sentence by hastily ad-
justing the spray of moss rosebuds in
the required position.
Mr.. Giliil was watching the opera.
ton critically in the long mirror.
saw! yes, thank you," said he, care
lessly running his white fingers through
his perfumed locks. "That is decided
ly bettau. Here's q con for You, my
man."
He slipped a silver piece into the
Wallets willing palm, and, taking one
more survey of his appearance in the
mirror, and evidently satifei with the
reflection that he saw there, turned
himself slowly about, and languidly
drifted down the stairca.e. Mr.. Gi,til
was very late-being, in fact, the last
guest to arrive, but there is nothing
detrimental in being late OF swell re-
ception; indeed, no. Mr.. Giltil had not
mingled in the best English society to
no purpose during his long soiourn
abroad, and he was much too we'll
aware Of his own importance in
the fashionable world to be anything
else than chary in the bestowal of his
presence upon society. now that he had
returned to his native land. His de-
tractors-and he had not been at home
two hours ere he found some-declared
behind his back, and under their breath,
that Mr.. Gilfil had come back to Amer
lea so changed that in manners and ap-
pearance he was more English than the
English were themselves.
And. to the casual observer, this
seemed to be SO; for there was the in.
evitable English whisker-the incom-
prehensible English contempt for the
letter 81" and predominance of hide
Gus English plaid in the extensive
wardrobe. And, as if to crown the
whole, over the curious detection OF
speech, the Objectionable whisker, and
the hateful clothes, worse than all
of them combined was the cold, SUI
preme, chilling English Indifference OF
manner that now seemed to be one oi
the new characteristics of the returned
traveller.
But Mr.. Gilfls traduccrs unjustly
accused him. Down under the crust oi
his English clothes and his English
manners, smoldered the inextinguish,
able love Of home AMI native land, and,
if occasion had re luired, Mr.. Gilfl
could and would have hurrahed for
Uncle Sam and brave old yankee
Doodle" as Justify as any of them.
Mr.. Gilfil had been introduced te
English society by Lord Randolph
Churchill, and tho said society had
given him a cordial reception. Bu,
while he had hobnobbed with counts
and countesses, aud lords and To-
dies, he had at heart remained
faithful to Yankee traditions, and
proved his faithfulness by falling in
love with fair countryman, whom he
met while on little tour in Belgium
An ogre Of guardian had suddenly
appeared upon the scene, however, and
rudely nipped Mr.. Giltil's love affair
in the bud, by disappearing with the
young lady. The disappointed lover
had made many futile efforts to trac.
them; but at last desisted, and, rather
tired Of eyerything-his British friend.
included-had turned his back upor
them and come home.
The first thing that met him upol
his return, was an invitation to tht
MacCa abe reception, and, much agains
his will, he had dressed and found hi,
way to the MeCabe mansion. HI.
loitered Oh the magnificent staircase
looking down at the surging tide of hu
manity, as it drifted beneath him, tn.
cleaning jewels, the shimmering silks
the beautiful flowers. all combining Il
make q picture no artist could lool
upon and fail to remember.
Mr.. Gilfil gradually reached the bot
tom steps. As he did so, a tall, fai
girl, in white silk and pearls, passed
him by, leaning OH the arm of a grey
haired veteran in q Generals uniform
| "Ayis."
With difficulty Mr., Giltil represse,
the exclamation that was upon his lips
as il it was, he hurried after her.
Then it occurred to him sudlenh
That he had not yet paid his devoirs Il
Ibis hostess, and Ae listened. 10 In