Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-09
MISS LIRRIPIP's LOVERS.


Miss Lirripip had pretty face and five thous-
and year, not to speak of expectations Pretty
races are common enough. even in these days
OF agricultural depression and stagnant trade;
but girl with five thousand year is a rarity;
and girl with five thousand a year and pretty
lace into the bargain is positive phenomenon
and, as such, cannot fail to be greatly admired
oy number of more or less eligible young men
with a taste for beauty OF the most substantial
kind. Even middle-aged bachelors awake from
their habitual indifference when, on being intro
duced to lovely damsel OF two and twenty
they are conscious that the possessor OF con-
siderable fortune stands before them; for
although money is the root ofall evil. it ia a
root which most people very willingly under
take the risk of cultivating.
Since Lydia Lirripip was thus beautiful and
thus rich. it is not surprising that she mad not
only admirers-men who dared to wish uncertain
things; but lovers, toO-men who had the pre-
sumption to hope. 1t is true that LYDIA en-
couraged none OF them, for she was quite salts
fed to live at home with her father. Gen. Lir-
ripip, In BrutOn street. GrOsvenor square and
to ride in Rotten Row in the morning. and to
drive in the park In the afternoon But fortu-
nateiy young men do not require announcement.
nay, in certain affairs the less announcement
they receive the greater their persistency he
comes; and considering that healthy constituted
young women seldom, If ever, give any encour.
agement to young men. the persstency of these
latter In the face of alarming difficulties is a
matter on which all of us may heartily congratu.
late ourselves. Indeed but for the PERSISTENCE
who knows whether the world would 90 roundp
1t was the height of the London season, and
Lydia Llrrlplp went with her father one even
Ing to great ball at the Countess of Carnaby's
EVERYBODY was there-everybody, that is, of rank
and fashiOn-and ere she had been in the
HUhtpI for Grro y~yn ,kaoY
was engaged for all the dances on the program.
Now, to most OF her partners she was only
engaged for single valse or polka but, for old
acquaintance sake, or for some other reason
she allowed two gentlemen to take two dances
each. 1t was TO doubt very indiscreet OF her
to do So But in one case at least it was
also very goOd-natured of her, for she per-
mitted old Sir Pertinax POpinjny who. as
every one knew, was far too stiff and
equity to move about properly to put down his
name Tor the only two sets of lancers. Sir Per-
tlnax was effusively grateful and smiled his
sweetest upon her as ne returned her program
and Lydia. instead of regrettng her Kindness
felt thoroughly rewarded by seeing that she
was giving pleasure to the gray haired baronet,
VINO, thirty years before, had been a noted
prosy old fellow, whom very few girls would
be likely to dance with. Lydias other favored
partners were Mr.. Horace Freake-a young
artist who had that year for the frat time ex-
hibited at the royal academy-and Mr.. Merton
Murley, man who had no profession and no
occupation, and who If he had private in
come, derived 1t from source not generally
known even to his friends.
In this world many strange condolences hap-
pen Two chemists have been known to make
exactly the same discovery on the same day;
and two astronomers have claimed to catch sight
OF new comet at almost the same moment. It
Is not, therefore, incredible that, while dancing
these SIX dances with her three favored part
ners, Lydia casually mentioned to each Of them
that upon the following evening her father was
gong to take the chair at the annual meeting Of
the Society for the Encouragement of Cold
Water Bathing on the Continent; that she
was not going, but would be alone at
home; that she wished that girls were
able like men to amuse themselves; and
that she envied her partners their clubs,
their theaters, and their sociable smoking con-
certs. Nor is it incredible that, having heard
THIS, Sir Pertinax Popinjay, Mr. Horace Freake
ana MI Merton Mnrley all made up their minds
10 Call upon Miss Lirrpip upon the following even
ing, and to make to her certain avowals, which,
although they had long meditated them. they
now 1elt lmpelled to make as soon as possible
and without any unnecessary delay. What these
ayoWals We're may be guessed; but why the same
gentlemen all determined at the same time to
make them is a question which cannot he ex
planned. although the tact that Lydia that even
ing looked even prettier than usual may have
been one Of the causes of the extraordinary co
incidence.
Lydia little dreamed, when In the small hours
OF the morning she dropped of to Sleep of what
was hanging over her. Sir Pertinax had made
no sign; Mr.. Murley had not been more atten-
tive than for some time had been his wont; and
Mr Freake had been actually more dull and un-
interesting than Miss I.irripip had ever seen
him. She therefore slept soundly, and was un
disturbed by fears OF the coming evening and
its visitors.
The following DAY was wet. The general,
who had lived for many years in India, and had
liver which caused him to be somewhat iras
Chile, smut himself up in his library, and savage
ly studied the statistics Of cold-water bathing:
and Lydia, who could not go out, painted in
her boudoir. The Lirripips dined at half.past
nye, to enable the general to get to
the meeting at half-past seven; and as
ne mad taken no exercise during the day, and
had been quite unable to master all the infor-
nation he required relative to the average of
Cleanliness upon the continent, Lydias father
was not In the best Of tempers. "Sit up for
me- he said; II shall be in by half past eleven"
these were his last words, as the carriage
having been announced, he hurried away from
the table, stopping for an instant at Tydias
side to KISS her hastily on the top of the head.
And Miss Lrripip was left alone In SOLITARY
grandeur sitting at one end of the dining-room.
She did not stay there long, but went to the
urawlns,room. whittier she babe a servant bring
TWO candles, which but dmly lighted the large
apartment. Then, taking her seat at the piano.
Lydia began to play and to sing alternately
The drawlng-room at BrutOn street was like
many other London drawing rooms 1t occu-
pled the whole OF the first floor of the house
save IN one corner where the staircase assembled:
and IL was therefore L-shaped. the longer arm
OF the l. having three windows looking out into
the street. and the shorter arm one window
looking out over some news In the rear Heavy
curtains of tapestry hung between the back and
front portions Of the ROOM but We're usually
Topped up and In the back room was the pjano
at which, within the halo of the two candles
Lydia Lirripip played and sang.
She had considerable knowledge OF music and
fine voice. and. wrapped up In her occupation.
she started when the door of the front room
opened and servant, who was to her invisible
announced Mr. Horace F-aake.
Lydia rose and recei or visitor meantime
ordering the gas to be ligh.cd. 1t was haf-past
eight. Why had he called at that hour? WHY
had he not come In the daytime, while she was
so dull. rather than ju. when she was singing?
But upon the whole. she was glad to see
Horace, who, no doubt, simply desired to in
quire how she was after the dance Of the pre-
vious evening, and had not been able to do so
earlier. As he betrayed, nevertheless, certain
hesitation In his manner, she led the converse
tlon, and asked him whether he had enjoyed
Lady Carnaby's ball. He had he said, pretty
well; and then ensued pause, during which
Horace rather awkwardly took seat at Lydla's
side, on an ottoman, and gazed at the carpet.
MT Freake was not altogether stupid, but even
wits often become rather dull when they are
medltatlng an immediate proposal; and the sit
uation Is so trying to almost every man who
hnds himself IN 1t, that 1t amply excuses the ex-