National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-06-05

and it is true to its purpose. DO you seo2"
She held her drapery forward naively. This
is frock for the house-not the sort of cos
tune one would wear on the street. Har-
mouy, adaptabilty; that is 1t, not elegance.
The whole thing cost me-S3."
'WhatY'
at is quite true. paid that for the gray
flannel. Tho bright stripe was tho best
portion of worn-out shawl, and | had tho
buttons" with an air of triumphant con-
clusion.
Mr.. Lamb found something very brave and
very pathetic in the simplicity and detail Of
this confession. This endurance of vanity's
modification appeared heroic as contrasted
with the lavish expenditure of other women
far less lovely and worthy. But then, men
usually are willing to concede great virtue to
the practicability that achieves slightly re-
suits. If Miss SOulsby's attire had been UNI
becoming, or IL Miss Soulsbys self had been
less pleasant to the eye, no doubt her exposi-
tion of ways aud means might have seemed
sordid and revolving In the extreme. Also,
some allowance must DO made for the atti-
tude Of delighted intimacy implied in conf
dence on topic so nearly personal as this Of
toilet matters. Altogether, many things go
to modify tho triviality in value of discus
sion--between woman and man-on puerilo
themes.
~ thank you" said Edward Lamb, almost
reverently.
Dub Lhlo is III III Iub very WOEbb puSslDlO
taste" said Miss Soulsby, briskly; "sooth to
say, 1 am in huge fit of disgust-thanks, no
| doubt, to the weather. All this might look
far more ohdurablo by q warmer light" with
disdainful gesture, comprehending the
whole room, with its CHEEKY make-shft deco
rations. do you know" she went on, while
the man sat speechless before her daring-or
her innocence, as might be-'I have lately
discovered in my nature O vein of strong
sensuousness, much to my surprise, for i mad
fancied myself rather all aesthetic person.
| But no / delight in pleasant sounds feast
on beauteouss sights, l rovel In agreeable odors.
Can anything thrill the soul like delicious
scents ?-the touch of graceful texture charms
mew
Sho put the gray cat suddenly down upon
tho red brick hearth, rs if with it sho de-
cisivoly set apart poverty, economy and all
sordid and dstasteful things. Leaning for
ward, she stretched her curving hand toward
the leaping flame.
II could never DO completely happy while
cold" she said, "nor utterly miserable with
my boly clad in warmth oh, do not under
stand how people can sell love and liberty
yes. and honor-for luxuryw
Where was tho reserved and mainly COM
panion of moment since, with chasto cameo
face and corresponding fngersP This was q
young Lamia, full of sensuous longing, open
and unconcealod. Edward Lamb sprang to
his feet, and, whirling toward the fire, tore
from his bosom a letter he had hidden there
All day it had burned there in his breast, full
of his own admonition.
81 would have put IL in her hands," he told
himself, between the muffed plunges of his
heart, but now there is no need. Her own
| speech has taught me what she feels" He
dropped tho letter between the cedar logs,
with u very storm of passions and tomptn-
tions warning against him. And yet-so
speedily, so silently, arc made tho decisions
| = Nt.,..
the curled and cracking ash flew upward,
black and writhing, strange rovulsion OF
feeling swept over him, and no loathed him
self for tho sin he would have done.
He turned reluctant eyes on Madelon
Soulsby, afraid and ashamed; and behold,
she sat, unconscious and composed as some
young saint her grave brow serious and calm
her delicate hands folded, almost as If fol
prayer. Had Mr.. Lamb come very near max
ing q mistake?
Does man live who can battle with tomp-
tation and overcome it, and then abandon the
field without further dalliance with evil2 Il
it that we like to parade our power and maxi
show of our strength
What little creature you areW said Ed
ward Lamb. "How tall definitely? Stant
up and lot me see"
Ho put out his hand as If to raise her from
the chair, but drew back short of her finger
tips. For his lifo he dared not now presum
| Dy 30 HuOn US tnHU bllBnL IOuCu. ono SUOOt
up as simply as child.
"Wbat was it that Orlando said about hi
lady's stature ~
"'Just as high as my heart" She barely
breathed the words, yet with exquisite
tenderness, inclining her head with q move
ment unspeskably sweet and shy, unit
her cheek bent Just above his throbbing heart
yet quite apart from him.
But before her hair was stirred by tho sigl
from his dropping lips, she sprang back lik
creature at bay, her brow knit in
frown, her eyes blazing indignation ono
) reproaoh.
How dare you'll" sho cried. "What
pitful pretoxt How ingenious! How full
of courage!"
What wonder that the fair Irishma,
, blushed for his own poor ruso to bring he
nearer him for a moment: Was this acting
, Had she only affected just now to discove
, his motive? Was his ardor answered b.
wild rapture in her own undisciplined heart
Or was she like some fair saint, far above tn
/ comprehension of earthly passions? Cou
, she have used ignorantly tho dangerou
phraseology of evil, as child might pla
unwittingly with engines of destruction
each innocently vain of its fancied know
D edge?
"Como in p Miss soulsby's sweet yoic
followed knock at the door.
Mr.. Lambs associate came into tho room.
D "Ledyard telegrsphs that the limo is opel
4 now and party is starting out You hay
not n moment to spare. No one knows hoV
f long VIC may be shut in here, once the sprin
, thaws set in"
And so, before the curious scrutiny of thi
{ observer, they closed the day aud bade eac
, other but formal adieu.
8 Mr.. Edward Lamb brought to its close
| letter, sitting in the reading room of d hote
in tho city at the western seagate. Sundr
a influences had delayed its com pletion; Ii
, had but just come to the end of his trans
continental trip certain sense of froedor
and elation was still new enough to intoxicat
him, heart and brain; he could not put out G
his mind his sensation when, crossing the ba
from the train, he first caught sight of til
| city looming ahead like some mighty monste
. | In bronze. And an acquaintance no ha
made had restrained him for time.
$ lie was but just putting pen to pape
! when he was greeted by a fellow ournalis
who presently introduced Mr.. Lamb to
/. man sitting near; q man whose name stand
r historic in tho records of tho state, who's
0 position and great wealth might hRv
9 commanded the younger mans attention
0 Beyond these his interest had been won b.
the mellow wisdom and gentle shrowdnoss q
I this quiet, kindly potentate, who, as per IN
: Pacific journalists dictun, owned half tn
t country"
/ Even now, despite tho vital interest of th
lines he was writing, Mr.. Lamb found hi
a mind and his eyes straying toward his neigh
Y Dor. Tho fine, small head, venerable with il
-. sCaut white hair and flowing gray beard WA