The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-08-15

laugh and side glance from eyes whlcn
had done much execution in their day.
II am sure | shall be very glad if can
serve you in any way" said the Professor,
simply; aand think we may very well agree
to let bygones be bygones 1t was some
thing about your son, you said ?''
"Ah, yes, poor fellow !" sighed Mrs;
Annesley; II can t tell you how anxious and
distressed am about him. He is quar-
tered here with his regiment the Twenty
Seventh Lancers, and he absolutelyr refuses
to leave the service; though, as of course
you know, he succeeded to a very large
property when he became of age"
@He is still very young, remarked the
Professor. II should think another year
or two of soldering would do him no
HARM"
"But it is absurd for a man with three
large country houses to live in barracks.
want him to marry and settle down. |
want him-only this is strictly between
ourselves-to marry Violet Cecil. She is
such charming girl, and so pretty-don'
you think SOP"
''Is she?" asked the Professor. II
scarcely know her.
'sBut you and Mr. Cecil were always
such great friends, | thought"
"We had not met for many years until
came down here, and have only seen
Miss Cecil once did not notice her par
ticularly'
Chow funny of you! But I remember
that you were never very observant. Well,
1 was going to tell you about poor Bob
oh there he is. should like so much to
introduce him to you"
"He introduced himself to me this morn
ing, observed the Professor, smiling.
''Oh, did he? Well, l could not intro
duce him now, at any rate, said Mrs.
Annesley, meaningly.
The Professor adjusted his glasses, and
following the direction of her gaze, made
out the visitor of the morning, who had
exchanged his uniform for suit of cricket
ing fannels, and who was pacing along by
the side of a tall, fne-looking woman with
dark hair. The young man wore down
cast look, and his evident unwillingness to
raise his eyes seemed to show that he was
conscious of his mothers vicinity.
"Oh, I see !" said the Professor, with
perspicacity which did him credit.
ayes; ism it dreadful? What any man
can find to admire in such woman l can't
conceive
'She is handsome and-very well dress
ed, hazarded the Professor, after another
survey of the lady's retreating form.
"Well dressed' calculated Mrs. Annes-
ley, throwing up her hands. eff you can
say that you would say anything. Pale
blue satin and imitation lace-good gra-
cious Butof course you don't understand
these things"
Certainly, the Professor agreed, II am
no Judge Of such matters. But who is this
lady2' =,
nobody knows She is Mrs. Harrington
at least, that is what she calls herself
and believe she is one of those dreadful
harpies who follow regiments about all over
the world and ruin poor young men-or,
rather, rich young men. She is not exactly
disreputable, | am told; only wish she
were-no, I didn't mean that forgot you
were a clergyman. l beg your pardon, [
am sure.
"Don't mind me, said the Professor
Sand so you are afraid that she will marry
your son 2"
II can't bear to say so, but it does look
terribly like it, and l am so powerless. l
have no influence over Bob, and it is i'm
possible for me to remain down here; l have
Al, II, 10 off u0I1
know. OF course it would never do to
breathe word to the Cecils; otherwise they
might be able to save him, for [ am sure
he is really fond of Violet 1t struck me
that perhaps you might give me helping
hand"
II will most gladly if [ can, " replied the
Professor; ''but [ confess I don't see at
present what [ can do"
"I am sure you could influence him in
quiet way, and then you might try to
throw him as much as possible with the
Cecils. You will have plenty of opportu-
mites Of doing that, if you look for them.
And perhaps you would be very kind and
write me line every now and then to tell
me how matters are going"
The Professor shook his head, and said
he feared Mrs. Annesley was leaning upon
a broken reed. Nevertheless, he promised
to do his best, and promises with him always
meant a good deal. For the sake Of old
days he was willing to do Mrs. Annesley a
kindness; for the young mans own sake
he would gladly have disappointed the
harpy; finally, he thought he would be rem
dering no small service to his friend Cecil
if he could bring about marriage between
the daughter of that not very wealthy
country gentleman and one of the richest
bachelors in England The only question
was how to set about achieving so desirable
a result