The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1886-12-24

Ia. told me to-ni,,!,. that yo"r cacbral
~ toms intertlictul any prolonged mental
strain
a. must consult a few papers, responded
A. R;chtbody, curtly, Us he entered hi,
library .:.,.,
,.:,,,. severe in its decorations, which were
.,.,,,ntonstic of a gloomy dyspepsia of art,
then quite prevalent A few curios, very
.,c,v. but provideutially equally rare were
as,tte,e,l about. There were various b,pn:cs,
s,orblcs and casts, all requiring explanation.
a,d 50 fulfilling their purpose of promoting,
conversation and exhibiting the cruditio, Of
.,.;r owner There were souvenirs of trave!
Nth history, old bric-a-hrac with pedigree.
Inf little or nothing that challenged attention
~, itself alone. In all cases the superiority
~ the owner to bis possessions was admitted.
A. natural result nobody ever fingered
+hore. the servants avoided the room and no
child was ever known to play in it.
Mr.. Rightbody turned up the gas and from
q cabinet of drawers, precisely labeled, drew
nockage Of letters. These he carefully OK
.mined. All were discolored and made dig
r;1ed hy age. but some, III their original
freshness. must have appeared trifling, and
Inconsistent with any correspondent Of Mr..
Ripbtbody Nevertheless, that gentleman
srent some moments in carefully per,,sinp
khe,n, occas:on;,C 1.ec: to TIA ttc:s:ssraE,
in his hand. Sutltlci:l.: ,..cc was Il knock at
the door. al.. Ri::,:..t,oly started, made
rs %,,, ~.
letters to the drawer. turned til" telegram,
face downwartls, and then, somewhat harshly,
dammercd:
"Eh? Whose there! Come i'll"
II beg your pardon, papa" said very
pretty girl, entering, without, however, the
slightest trace of apology or awe in her man.
ner, and taking a chair with the self-posses-
sion and familiarity of habitue of the
room, "but knew it was not your habit to
write late, SO supposed you We're not busy.
! lam on my way to bed
She was SO very pretty, aud witllal SO ut
terly unconscious of it, or perhaps SO con-
sciously superior to it, that one was provoked
into more critical examination of her face.
But this only resulted in reiteration of her
beauty, and perhaps the added fact; that her
dark eyes were very womanly, her rich COM
pexion eloquent and her chiseled lips full
enough to be passionate Or capricous. not
outstanding that their general effect suggest
ed neither caprice, womanly weakness nor
passion.
With the instinct of an embarrassed man,
Mr.. Rightbody touched the topic he would
have preferred to avoid
II suppose we must talk over tomorrow"
be hesitated, 'this matter of yours and Mr.
Marvin's! Mrs. Marvin has formally spoken
to your mother"
Miss Alice lifted her bright eyes intelli
gently, but not joyfully, and the color of
action, rather than embarrassment, rose to
her round checks.
Eyes, he said she would" she answered,
simply.
"At present." continued Mr.. Rightbody,
still awkwardly, II sec 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-well. we will talk of it
tomorrow" In fact, Mr. Rightbody had
intended to give the affair a proper attitude
Of seriousness ard solomnity by 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. II am glad,
Alice, " he said at last, 'that you have quite
forgotten your previous whin's and fancies.
You see ice are right"
"Oh! dare say, papa, if I'm to te mar
red at all, that Mr.. Marvin is i'll every way
suitable
Mr.. Rishtbody looked at his daughter mar
rowly. There was not the slightest impatience
nor bitterness in her manner; it was as well
regulated as tho sentiment she expressed.
sMr Marvin is"-he began.
Il know what Mr.. Marvin u.s. interrupted
Miss Alice; land he has promised me that
snail be allowed to go on with my studie:
The same as before. shall graduate with my
class; and, if prefer to practice my profes
slon, can do SO in two years after our mar
Rage"
sln two years. querie,l Mr.. Rightbody
curolsly.
YES You see, in case we should have
cnd, that would give me time enough t.
wean it."
Nr. Rightbody looked at this flesh of hi
aesh' pretty and palpable flesh as it was; bu,
slng confronted as equally with the brain q
us brain, all he could do was to say meekly
Yes, certainly. We will sec about u
that tomorrow"
Miss Alice rose. Something in the fret
uliettered swing of her arms as she reste
'ue'n lightly, after half yawn, Oh her 18th