The state journal., 1885-01-17
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tive to permit Of our losing sight of it
yet awhile"
ri accuse Mr. Panton of being a poet,
my dear" interrupted. ''He has all
the paraphernalia of one-tropes, SMILES,
sentiment, passion.
Il stand convicted, he rejoined, "but
only as a voiceless singer. I possess the
necessary baggage, it is true; but, alas
have locked it away and lost the key
irrevocably."
eve must try to find it for him, Ell
Clare?" suggested,
"Mr. Panton seems in no pressing need
of it at present." she replied.
"Ah p he cried, "you are unfair, Miss
DENLY. You forget that although OPP
portunity be the slave of him who is
prepared, it is the tyrant of the unready."
An almost imperceptible smile played
on Clare's lips. "You are like to have a
useful servant, then, Mr.. Panton," she
said.
Now you are sarcastic" he rejoned.
"but | am helpless in your hands.
Indeed, l wash them of you alto
gether," she answered, rising. THE
responsibility is too great.
That Is my loss" he said, smilingly,
as he opened the door for her.
"Not if it teach you to take better care
of yourself" she replied with an implied
meaning in her tone which | failed to
understand as she swept out Of the room.
l was delighted with the badinage,
trivial though it had been. 1t at least
proved that Clare was not wholly insen-
sible to the attentions of other men, and
the circumstance gave me hope fer the
success of my little scheme.
| he'd not visited Wiltshire for many
years, but l still retained a vivid recollec-
ton of its beauties-the quaintold city of
Salisbury, the breezy downs, and the
wonderful collection known as Stoue
hengc. 1t was natural therefore that as
Panton and sat over our wine the CONVEX
sation should revert to the principal
features of that country and the pro-
ducing powers Of its soil, the latter
being subject in which l take consider
able interest. was pleased to find in
my companion a kindred spirit while,
recognizing my desire for information
on agricultural topics, he readily cited
the returns yielded him by his own
property In his manner of stating these
details, which to others would probably
have appeared dry and uninteresting, l
discovered a singular charm and fascina-
ton; but after little felt that it would
be selfish TO keep him altogether to my
self, and accordingly proposed an
adjournment to the drawing room.
On entering we found Glare seated
at the piano, where Mr.. Panton at once
begged that she would remain. As my
daughter is a finished musician, 1
fastened to second the request. For my
own part, whether from the excitement
CT the days adventures or the excellence
of the dinner know not, but no sooner
had l relapsed into my easy chair than l
dropped into pleasant slumber.
When l awoke, Clare was still at the
piano, playing softly. while Panton
stood near to her talking in low voice.
AS I had no desire TO act the part Of
eavesdropper-indeed, the distance at
which / was rendered such q thing i'm
possible gave preliminary yawn and
ostentatiously to stretch my
sell. "Bless me" l remarked, looking at
my watch, 'ft's getting on for II. How
quickly the evening has passed =
Clare rose and began to put away her
music. Pantcn crossed to the fireplace.
"Time goes swiftly in the land of Nod, "
he said to me, ''but we could have given
you long start to night, and even then
have won"
''Mr. Panton must speak for himself. "
Glare interrupted, with "a slight frown.
"Have l not done sol" he rejoined
rapidly. Then he laughed pleasantly,
and after an instalt's pause, resumed:
Probably Miss DENLY finds my views
too comprehensive"
"When they make her an involuntary
party to their meaning she certainly
does" Glare answered.
'Ah - he cried, sit would be against
my own interest to do so, else should
be robbed of the pleasure of convincing
her that they are true"
Then you must take the opportunity
of doing that Tomorrow l said, getting
up from my place, "for | cannot rfford
to lose my beauty sleep for the sake of
hearing to two young people talking non
sense"
The next morning l passed, as usual,
in the study, and in the afternoon, as the
weather continued fine, it occurred to me
that had not seen my old friend the
Squire for some time. proposed, there
fore, to ride over to the Grange and ply
him a visit, and as Panton mentioned
that he had letters to write, suggested
his making use of the library during my
absence. Iu this he readily cOncurred, aud
before starting saw him comfortably
installed in my place, Glare having
stated her Intention of going to the vii
lage in order to make some necessary
purchases.
1t was close upon the dinner hour
when returned, and, hastily dressing. !
hurried down stairs. The young people
were already waiting for me, and we at
once passed into the dining room.
The evening was spent much in the
same way as the previous one, but !
thought l detected sensible increase OF
warmth in Clare's manner toward Mr..
Panton. AS for him, it seemed impossi-
BILE that anything should stop his flow OF
spirits. He talked necessarily, and, am
afraid, great deal of nonsense.
Next day, as | sat reading in my room,
he entered in his usual unceremonious
fashion. Il hope l don't disturb you, sir, +"
he said.
''Not at all, )" I answered, laying down
my book Take seat"
Thanks" he said, "if it's the same
to you I'd rather stand. I've always
more confidence in myself when Pm on
my legs"
II should not have thought you ever
failed in that" l remarked, smiling.
mo more did l, +" he answered, add
ing with some slight hesitation, until l
came here.
"Ah, you have caught the infection.
We are too modest for your o,ahead
young London fellows
NO." he replied. refectively, ''it's
not that. Take your daughter, for
instance. I'm deveIish impudent to her,
almost rude at times, and yet it never
seems to make any impression"
Perhaps you don't want to make any
suggested.
"Oh, but 1 do, he continued, with