Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-28

Stu0v. DV Shsio~s~S~
Mrs. Corydon said Z" look at the manu-
scripts ali scattered about !" Sir John
looked At the manuscripts. Mrs. Cory
don left him, and led the way to the
window. Sand now look at the
yiewi" Sir John looked at the view.
Released at last, he had leisure to
consider whether he should humor
Mabel's absurd caprice, or decline TO
make himself ridiculous and leave her
70 recover her senses. He was q man
greedy for money rs we'll as q man in
love. Remembering that she had a
handsome fortune, and that rival,
a Younger man than himself, was also
counting her, be made his way to the
library. 81,
At one of the writing-tables Cyril
was sitting forlorn, surrounded bymor-
sells of torn paper. " What have you
done?n the elder minstrel asked Of the
Younger. The melancholy answer was,
Nothing" Cyril's voice sounded as
if he was child again and was ready
to cry. ,,,
Sir John sat down at second table,
in distant part Of the room and began
to write. The quiet in the library was
only disturbed now and then by the
heavy signs Of Cyril and the sound Of
paper that was being torn up.
VIII.
There was knock at the door. A
fresh, young voice asked gaily, "May
| come in?" ..
"Don't let me disturb you" said
Mabel. "The fair ladies Of past times
were remarkable for their patience
especially with Ministries. can wait."
She looked at Cyril, who was seated
nearest to her. Too cruelty mortified
to speak, he took her hand and put it
on his hot forehead. lie pointed to the
mass of torn paper all round him. The
tears rose in his eyes-he opened the
door and went out.
Mabel's face lost its expression OF
malicious enjoyment. She looked
ashamed of herself, and she said softly
- Poor fellow "
Sir John crossed the room, with
smile of conscious superiority. He was
not man who did anything by halves.
Having decided on humoring the young
lady, he presented his poetic offering
with chiyalrous humility, dropping on
one knee.
Mabel read his verses. They had
one great merit-there were very few
Of them.
They say she's dark yes Ike the night
Whose beauty shines from starry skies;
Oh, my sweet saint. how darkly bright
The mellow radiance OF those eyes
,oVe in you the tender light
The light that gaudy day denies
Very pretty" Mabel said and
reminds me of Byron. Did you ever
read his Hebrew Melodies p"
Never Sir John declared, fer
yently. "Allow me, my angel, to kiss
your hand and claim your promise
At that critical moment Major Ever
green returned from his walk and en-
tered the library in search of book.
He stood petrified at the sight of the
enemy, whom he abhorred. That
man ;" he cried--and ran out of the
room with furious look at his niece.
She ran out after him. Sir John fol-
lowed on tiptoe and listened at the
half-opened door.
There's more excuse for me, uncle,
than you think" Mabel pleaded. "Sir
John Bosworth has one merit which
you really ought to allow. lie is
poet like yourself. lie has Just written
this"
She began to read the verses:
They say she's dark; yes, like the night
Whose beauty shines rom starry skies
Her uncle snatched the paper out of
her hand.
MY poetry" he shouted.
Before his niece could stop him he
was back again in the library.
" Thief >" he called out at the top Of
his voice.
Mabel had made vain attempt to
quiet him. She had forgotten the in
human review. Not so the Major.
Even at that trying moment he could
have repeated the most atrociouS insults
inflicted on him in the newspaper with
out missing a word.
1.-The scoundIel has been among my
manuscripts, D." cried the infuriated poet,
I've loDged to murder hin for the last
six months. And now III do it"
1t was useless to search the room.
Sir John Bosworth had made his es-
cape.
At a later period when Mabel was
asked why she had married Cyril instead
Of Sir John, she used to answer
THE poetry did it."-Engl,sE IL
hStrQtsd Magazine.