The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-18

from the town, and there was, seated by Lionelle's father on the terrace, al ready member of the irresistible family group which had fascinated me an hour or two before.
 answered my agreeable interlocutor absently, for just then the graceful figure of Lionelle appeared at the window. It seemed to ne that all the romance the world could boast was there.
 She had dressed for dinner-in other words, exchanged one beautiful white gown for another. This time she wore no artless cambric, such as school girls wear on prize days, but close-ftting elaborate dress of rich white satin, its whiteness not of snow, rather of the lily its texture of the sotest imaginable. noticed that she still wore a splendid aower-head of deep crimson flower oi amaranth on her bosom, and the oraa- ments-iu old-gold and enamel around her slender throat and wrists showed the same quaint device of serpent with it's tail in it's mouth.
 My daughter Lionelle-our new fel- low guest, MT. Gerald Archer" said my companion by way of introduction him self he had already introduced
 She descended the steps airily, and, having inclined her head to me with a | friendly smile, bent low and kissed her father on the forehead. Holding one oi his hands in her own, she sat down be- side him.
 '' My Lionelle," Mir. Bolingbroke be- gan, looking at her fondly and admir- | n Ulxy H YNaVSnaHa Mr Av~hAx %N sister here if he have one. We want, as ] have just observed to our guest friend, more human intercourse, more of little world in this big house and solitary plea sance."
 "Alasl have no sister," made reply
 And if you had," Lionele answered, before she got here, the spell might be broken, the world might have invaded us but why sire it? You speak of the world, papa, as if it were otherw ise than hateful"
 "You are young-in the age of dreams you need no little distractions, DO chit-chat, no gossip, no adventures, ," Mir. Bolingbroke said. "We older folks, having played out the game of life our selves, like to watch others stalking their throws"
 "Then, papa" Lionelle made an swer, a smile following the shade that had passed over her exquisitely outlined, sen- sitive face, "wish again, and again, and again you sighed at breakfast, If only some one would come.' Already the wished for some one is herep
 "This daughter of mine cannot under stand me-" MT. Bolingbroke said, after having smilingly shaken his head at her My career, MT. Archer, has not always been the smooth running on wheels tha it IS now. Like other men, have had to contend with-well, with antagonisms of various kinds. Is it not natural that, when l have nothing to do but sit and bask in the sun, should relish little amusement And what so amusing as human nature ?"
 "l should have said, what so dull ?- with exceptions" replied laughingly.
 At that momen, Mrs Boiling broke ap- peared, having one hand in Julian's arm The same little ceremony gone through, and we were all the best friends in the world
 Being the first conner, you will per- init us to welcome you," said the lady, fASSSAA6 my hdh0 Wlbu d tOOk OI dtI1 USI naternal interest. "It is pleasant too. to find others possessed of as much con- fidence and hopefulness as ourselves This place was only opened last week"
 We have a passion for new places and new physiognomies," put in Julian.
 That IS not quite the way to put it, dearest boy,' Mrs. Bolingbroke said. We are not rich enough to set up housekeeping in this ruinous England, MT. Archer, and we cannot do without society and an agreeable mod of living"
 It was impossb ble to be stiff under such circumstances. and before dinner was half over we had become as genial as if our acquaintance had been of long standing. There are certain much-iraveled English folks possessed of charming adaptabil- tty ot character, acquired rather than in- herent, it may be, yet most agreeable, nevertheless, strikingly in contrast with the demeanor of insulars generally. This unique family combined French amenitv and sparkle with native staidness and re- serve. could not put any question, and no one volunteered to enlighten me on the subject of family history But felt little doubt that French element had come into play. All four spoke correct English, yet was ready to swear that either MT. or Mrs. Bolingbroke. or both. were of French. extraction. Esprit and gayety were there in abundance. Inever remember of having taken part in mer- rier little banquet. Yet the cloud of care that occasionally passed over the faces of both husband and wife made me under stand why the company of stranger should be SC welcome. Some aflction, some anxiety, made long-continued soli- tude unendurable. There was a shadow that even the brightest presence of Lio. nelle and Julian could not dispel.
 The dinner was very good and prettily served.
 But we should fare twice as we'll did we number 6fty," grumbled poor MT. Bolingbroke, with the sigh of the gastro- nome, as he glanced at the bill of fare. Lionelle, love, do think of it and write tomorrow to Mrs. Arbuthnot and per. Suade her to come here And tbose n;ce