Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-11-05

the door. Mr.. BghtbOdy started, made n
holf-unconscious movement to return the
letters to the drawer, turned the telegram
face downwards and then, somewhat harshly,
stammcrcd:
oh! Whose thcrc' Como in"
81 beg your pardon, papa said a very
pretty girl, entering, without, however, the
slightest trace Of apology on awe in her man.
ner, and taking a chair with the sef-posscs-
sion and familiarity of "A habitue Of the
room, but knew it was not your habit to
write late, so supposed you were not busy.
| am on my way to bed
She was so very pretty, and withal so ut
terry unconscious of it, or perhaps SO con-
sciously superior to it, that one was provoked
into n more critical examination of her face.
But this only resulted in rcitcration of her
beauty, and perhaps the added facts that her
dark eyes worc very womanly, her rich com
plcXion eloquent and her Chselcd lips full
enough TO hc passionate or capriciouS, not
withstanding that their general effect suggest
ed neither caprice, womanly weakness nor
passion.
With the instinct of an embarrassed man.
Mr.. ltightbody touched the topic he would
have preferred to avoid
II suppose we must talk over tomorrow"
he hcSitatcd, this matter of yours and Mr.
Marvn's Mrs Marvin has formally spoken
to your mother"
Miss Alice lifted her bright eyes intclli-
gently, but not ioyfully, and the color Of
action, rather than embarrassment, rose to
her round checks.
Yes, he said she would she answered,
simply.
AT present. continued Mr.. Rightbody,
still awkwnrdly, Il see no objection to the
proposed arrangement"
Miss Alice opened her round eyes at this.
"Why, papa, thought it had been all set
tied long ago! Mamma knew it, You knew it.
Last July mamma and YOU talked it over"
Yes, yes, returned her father, fumbling
his papers; that is--wcll. we will talk of it
Tomorrow In fact, Mr.. Rightbodv hal
intended to give the affair a proper attitude
of seriousness ard solcmnity 10y due precision
Of speech and some opposite reflections. when
he should impart the news to his daughter, but
felt himself unable to do it now 81 am glad
Alice, he said at last, that you have quite
forgotten your previous whims and fancies
You see IRE are right"
"Oh / dare say, papa, if I'm to he mar
ricd at ALL that Mr.. Marvin is in every way
suitable"
Mr. Bightbody looked at his daughter mar
rowly. There was not the slightest impotence
nor bitterness in her manner; it was as well
regulated as the sentiment she expressed
Mr. Marvin s"-he began
~ know what Mr.. Marvin u.s." interrupted
Miss Alice; and he has promised me that |
shall he allowed to 20 on with my studies
the same as before. shall graduate with my
class; and, if prefer to practice my profess
sion. can do SO in two years after our mar
rage"
lin two years" queried Mr. Rightbody,
curiou,ly.
"Ncs. You see, in case We should have n
child, that would give nue. time enough to
wean it,"
Mr.. Rightbody looked at this flesh of his
flesh, pretty and palpablc flesh as it was; but.
being confronted as equally with the brain Of
his brain. all he could do was to say mccklv:
IVES, certainly. We will see about all
that tomorrow"
Mis-, Alice rose. Something in the free.
unfcttercd swing Of her arms aS She rested
them lightly, after a half yawn on her 1.-the
hips, suggested his next speech, although still
distract and impatient.
"You continue your exercise with the
health-lift yet, | SEQ"
"Nes, papa; hut | had to give up the fan
nelS. | don't soc how mamma could wear
them. But my dresses are high-necked, and
by bathing | tougher my skin See !" she
added. as with a child-ike Inconsistencies.
She unfastened two or three buttons of her
gown, and exposed the white surface of her
throat and neck to her father, Il can defy n
chill"
Mr.. Rightbody, with something akin to a
genuine, playful paternal laugh, leaned for
ward and kissed her forehead.
ITS getting late, Ally" he said parcntally,
but not dictatorily. go to bed
Il took a nap Of three hours this afternoon"
said Miss Alice, with n dazzling smile ito an
ticipate this dissipation Goodnight. papa.
To-morrow, then"
"Tomorrow, repeated Mr.. Rightbodv, with
his ewes still fixed upon the girl vaguely.
"Gool-night."
Miss Alice tripped from the room, possibly
"A triile the more light-heartedly that she had
parted from her father in one Of his rare mo
ments of illogical human weakness And per
haps it was well for the poor girl that she
kept this single remembrance of him, when,
fear in after years, his methods, his reason
ing and indeed all he had tried to impress
upon her childhood, had faded from her
memory.
For, when she had left, Mr.. Rightbodv fell
again to the examination of his old letters.
This was quite absorbing; so much SO, that
he did not notice the footsteps of Mrs. Right
body ON the staircase rs she passed to her
chamber, nor that She had paused ON the
landing to look through the glass halfdoor
on her husband, as he sat there with the
letters beside him, and the telegram opened
before him. Had she waited Il moment later.
sl, t,,ull l.Y,-. .,.t, him, .,,.l ,-.It-