The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-07-12

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books. My lord, this is my favorite
sister, whose praises l have been chant
| ing to you for the last fortnight. Han
nah, allow me to present Lord Valen-
tine Featherfuff. Lieutenant Fleming,
you have met my dear Nan, think;
and Philip is an acquaintance of all, l
understand.
B0oCS and greetings on all sides.
Hannah. Where is Richard?
Ratb (gayIy,) o, Richard, poor soul,
| told in the most unwifely manner to
90 on with the rest of the party, and
we would take you and Philip with us
in our carriage. Come, we must be off.
Lord Featherhuff and Lieutenant
Fleming fly TO aid Hannah IN
adjusting her a0rapS. Philip,
Standing near, grarely places the
| fltrry garment about her shoulders.
| teated taCdin.) Thank you, both: | am
Just as much obliged. We are use to
Philip having his own way.
Lord +. Aw, Miss Hannah, We'll
hope not, really, in every case.
Looks stiff but sentimental.
Ruth. Gomez GOMEZ we must 90. If
you two gentlemen will see that my
dear Nan is carefully put into the car
rage, will follow with Philip.
Both Lord Valentine and Lieuten-
ant Fleming offer an arm to
Hannah, aOhO accepts Lieutenant
Fleming's and 9Oitb an arch
smile glUeS gIoreS, ta1a and opera
glass to Lord Valentine.
Ruth. One moment, Philip, before
we start. Can you imagine why | in
troduced Lord Featherlluff to Nan, moU
at the very beginning of her first sea-
son out?
Philip (scorntadly.) You want your
innocent sister to marry that brainless
idiot?
R'Hh (laaghjng.) You are not COM
plimentary, Phil. True, my lord is not
oyerburdened with brains; still, he is
the very man of all others for Hannah
She is ambitious; he has noble name;
she has wealth; he has position-or will
have if his elder brother dies | be-
lieye he has been rather wild in a weak
way, but Nan could straighten him up
if any one could.
Philip (indjgaantJy.) Of course her
heart is out of the question. To bear
the title of such a rare bit of weak
wickcdness should satisfy our republi
can hearts
Ruth. My dear boy-you always will
be a boy to me, Phiiip-am | not per-
fectly happy9 1t is no secret to you
that did not care a pin for Richard
when | married him. My parents
selected my husband for me. | mar
Iii him oID,o Va,
we'll as that Hannah has no concep-
ton of the word love. She is the coolest
hearted little piece | ever met Look
at the dance she has led poor Tom
! Fleming, who has adored her since she
was in pinafores. 1t shows an utter
lack of heart. Now Lord Featherfluif's
position would exactly suit her, and in
time she would no doubt grow quite
fond of him in her cool way
Philip. Great heavens, Ruth, whata
picture!
Ruth. Nonsense, Philip! it's the way
of the world. l think you are too hard
on Lord Featherhuf. He was with US
often while Richard was Consul at
Liverpool, and came over in the same
ship Withus on our return, and | never
saw more Obliging young man. And
ii Hannah could only have it repre-
scented to her by some disinterested
person Well (cOaringIy), I'll tell
you, my dear Phil, what | really want
is that you'll speak good word for him
to Hannah, and in cautious way pre-
pare her to accept him.
Philip (ironicalLYy. o, that all, is it?
Ruth. Yes. She seems to have more
regard for your opinion than any one
else's. Now do be good; promise me
you will try and help me. 1 would not
tell any one else. | have set my heart
on your promise, Philip. You will
say you will.
Philip ('0earjly). o, yes; I'll see what
l can do
Ruth (preporing to go). Never fear
for an ambitious woman. If the road
to the goal is once pointed out, she will
reach it herself without further help.
Come, we must join the others. Richard
will think l am lost.
Philip I'm not going.
R@th(Surprised). Not going? What's
this | hear? Good by, then, and sue
cess!
Gayly Kisses her hand, and Uan-
iShes, leaUipg Philip standing,
hands IN pockets, head bent, a
picture Of despair.
Enter Benja Allen and aOite.
Benjamin. What, Philip, not going
to the merry-making?
Patience (geratty). Why, Benjamin,
thee knows our Philip is sober lad.
Why be surprised at his remaining with
his beloved books, instead of joining
our madcap girls in what | fear to be
very foolish pastime?
[Seats herself, and begins to rock
quieHy.
Benjamin. | fear Ruthie grows more
worldly as time moves on, and now she
stretches forth her hand to draw my
quiet kitten with her. | had hoped, in
giving her to Richard Dexter, l was
anchoring that light nature in the calm
harbor of our faith. Who could believe
Pthat Thomas DeXter's son could become
one of the worlds people?
Patience (tab.ng up q boOk). Thee
must not be hard on Ruthie, father.
The child has a well-meaning heart,
and have faith few more years will
show her the vanity of this worlds
pleasures, and send her back with re-
newed love to the peace which dwells
| in the faith of her fathers Thee must