Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-28
A NARRAGANSETT IDYL.

doors and windows, however, told of occu
pants; camp-stools were on the piazzas
newspapers and reviews were scattered
about as if hastily abandoned A light
football broke the silence lady appeared
who, with graceful, easy motion, passed and
seated herself on a shady balcony over,
looking the sea. As her eyes rested on g
jutting rock she saw some one taking oh.
servations. He put up an eyeglass to as
sure himself that it was indeed she; then
clambered over the intervening obstacles
and fastened toward her. She looked at
first annoyed, then smiled at the intruder
He also smiled, and displayed handsome
teeth, quite at variance with his advanced
years. His features were regular, his gray
hair was cut as short as possible, and he
had distinguished air. How fortunate
] am Really, | had no idea when |
strayed out this afternoon that anything
so pleasant was to befall me-" This was
rather hypocritical, as he had strayed out,
as he called it, for the very purpose of this
encounter The lady smiled graciously
Mrs. Page" he exclaimed suddenly,
"permit me to resume the conversation
interrupted so unhappily the other even
ing"
"Ah, Mr.. Lee" with depreciating alr,
"why not con6ne ourselves to ordinary
topics? | am so eager to retain your
friendship, that | have not the courage to
oppose you; yet -"
She had charming, pretty, graceful
ways, not wholly free from coquetry.
She glanced at him shyly, and blushed a
little
"And yet" he repeated eagerly;
"What does yet imply?"
." / prefer friends to lovers" she answer,
quite decidedly.
"But, my dear Mrs. Page, the world is
censorious, and will not permit friendship
between men and women"
His tone was somewhat sarcastic. Mrs.
Page looked out on the sea, then up at
her companion. IF could only be your
daughter" she whisper softly.
"Thafs an awful hit at my years, and |
ought to be excessively angry. My real
daughter might not like it, you know"
allow would she like your having a
Young wife? Tell me frankly, Mr.. Lee,
what would your children say to such an
arrangement ?"
Frankly, think they will not like it
at all; but | shall reason calmly and Dip
lomatically with them, and very soon they
will be as much in love with you as |
am"
Mrs. Page had mocking, incredulous
air.
." shall say to them, Although the day
| ,,,ar-v bar | ,,ropcSa tn sattia n million o,,
my future wife ~
"Oh, Mr.. eew-her face crimsoned- -
:" how can you propose to-to-bribe me in
that open way?
by no manner of means. This is what
| am to say to my children; | am not say
ing it to you, only rehearsing. This
million which | settle on the charming
person who condesends to become my wife
/ should otherwise give to hospital; there
fore, how does it affect you, my dears
Only give me permission to make the an
nouncement, and all difficulties will be re-
moved"
Mrs. Page looked distressed and per-
picked. {" How can / endure four enemies
in my own household"
You will have one friend, | am sure,
among them. There is my son William
4 magnificent fellow-noble, good superior.
William, you and ! against Gertrude,
Archie and Jack we certainly can hold
our own"
Mrs. Page with downcast eyes had
passed through every phase of blushing
and agitation while he spoke. Mr. Lee
marked these signs and took courage
My dear, can you not comfort me a
little?"
There are so many objectionsr' she
sighed
Name Them" he exclaimed eagerly.
Your money and the disparity in our
years" almost in whisper. "Dear Mr..
Lee, let me say no."
IL can't consent to anything of the
kind, l am perfectly willing that my
thirty-fve years. am really seventy
should offset with money your
Thirty" she replied.
There was brief silence. Mr.. Lee was
evidently taking silence with himself.
" Mrs. Page, l am going to confde in you.
/ have had very unhappy life, although
the world considers me fortunate man.
Ny wife was great invalid. l INDUCED
her in every possible way, but all that
made existence worth having was sacri-
feed in the effort The natural affection
which one would have supposed she would
have had for her children seemed extin-
guished by her maladies, and they and |
were really victims. | have had no life
for forty years, either literary, social or re-
lgous. She positively did not like me to
go 10 church now intend to enjoy the
brief remainder of life left me. How
could l enrich and adorn my life more eff
fectually than by begging you to share it
with me ?" and he put forth a manly, sun
burnt hand to seize her little white palm,
when there WIS scrambling of ponies
around the house, the clatter of many feet
on the piazza, and shrieks of cousin
Alicei where are you ?-Oh, Mr.. Lee! is
that you? cried Peggy, the head romp.
How glad am Now We can have our
champion game of ten-pins you promised
Us the other day"
And Mrs. Page, with great relief, fol-
lowed her discounted admirer to the
bowling-alley.
The scene changes to Mr.. Lees country
house. Mrs. Grant, his daughter, pretty
blonde with fastidious, disdainful air, en-
tiers the breakfast-room attired in an ex-
quisite white morning-dress and enveloped
in fieecy shawl. There is a lovely pic
ture through the open windowsof smooth
lawn skirted by magnificent old trees. De
licious odors greet her from the flowers on
the breakfast-table. She seats herself, fills
the daintiest of china cups with tea, takes
piece of toast and opens her letters. As
she reads, her languid affections leave her,
an angry flush rises on her cheeks, her
eyes dilate, and evidently too discomposed
to continue her slight repast, she exclaims
impatiently: "Where are Mr.. Archie and
all of them? Say that want to see them
notwithstanding Of great import
ance-in the library"
Mrs. Grant sank into an armchair in
the cool shaded room, and Archie, Jack,
lastly her husband, a fresh English-looking
youth, came lounging in.
@What is it, Gerty? ?" cried Archie.
"Shut the door; you will not laugh
when YOU hear my news"