The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-09-22
MR.. ELSMERE'S DIPLO-
MACY.
The Ingenious Settlement of
a Lovers Quarrel.
by FRANK LEE BENEDICT
[Peterson's Magazine.l

ded on him for affectlon, ADVICE or material
assistance that he could hardly have been
more burdened with family matters had he
possessed wife and flock of children.
Not that Mr.. Elsmere ever regarded the
most exacting or the most dependent among
his relations in the light of membranes.
For besides being moderately fond of them
all and warmly attached to several. he was
one of the kindest-hearted men In the world.
and as. though never inclined to NEEDLE, he
had rather weakness for directing and Civ
ing advice, things that might have proved a
trouble or annoyance TO another were never
such to him.
His fine old country seat, situated among
the picturesque Berkshire hills, was a favor
lite gathering place for the clan during por-
ton OF each summer or autumn, and hospi-
rality there was as unstinted as it was con-
siderate.
One lovely September afternoon Mr.. Els
mere was seated in his study, which. for the
sake Of quiet, he had established upstairs.
The other living rooms were free to every
body. but 1t was a tacit regulation, well re-
spected, that when Mr.. Elsmere retired to
his study no person was to intrude without
invitation, unless for some very urgent rea-
son.
To-day he felt disposed for brief season
Of solitude, after having done his best all the
morning to find amusement for goodly
number Of visitors of diverse tastes, and
was TRANQUILITY enjoying acigar and a new
novel after his efforts. Suddenly furious
knock sounded on the door, and, before he
q I'd in, 10 no.
his nephew, Larry Trayers, as precipitately
and almost as red hot as cannon ball.
Patient as Mr.. Elsmere had schooled his
nature to be. this abrupt invasion was ven
turesome feat even on the part of handsome
winning Larry, well understood as it was
that the privileges allowed him were far be-
yond what any other among the nephews or
sousins could hope to claim. But the young
man was In state of too intense excitement
to reflect, and without remembering even to
apologize for this extraordinary behavior, he
blurted out:
''Uncle Lawrence, I'm off for Colorado. l
shall 60 to New York by the next train"
Mr.. Elsmere had already settled back in
his chair and was quietly surveying his
nephew through the double glass which he
had put before his short-sighted eyes.
Isn't this rather sudden?" he asked,
with composure which would have done
credit to stole.
"No-yes-well, perhaps it is" Larry re-
piled, breathlessly; ''but it's of no use to
argue-my mind is made up-I am off at
once"
Mr.. Elsmere laid his glasses ON the table,
glanced reflectively up at the ceiling, and
then said in tone of conviction in which
there was no. the slightest sound of impa-
tience:
$50 you and Madge have quarreled again. -
''No, we have not" rejoined Larry, stimu-
lated by his uncie's demeanor to struggle
hard to control himself; we have quarreled
often enough. and have had clear explana-
ton at last-it is final; don't propose to see
her again till l can seem as indifferent as
she really is. You said ought to 60 out
and attend to that Denver property. l will
stop there, too. for year and manage
things myself"
which demanded serious and dexterous treat.
ment on the part of the family adviser. A
better-hearted fellow than Larry Travers
never lived, but, from the days when be
lisped In knickerbockers no power could in.
fuence him once his obstinacy was reused
and 1t had reached formidable dimensions
/. now-Mr. Elsmere knew the signs.
sit down and tell me what has happened, .
he said, with responsiveness difficult fol
even an obstinate man to resist.
When thing is settled there's no good
in talking it over" Larry answered, sulen
ly. There's nothing to be DONE"
II don't think that have any inclination
to try" Mr.. Elsmere rejoined, in a tone
which, kind as II was, sounded resolute and
determined. .You and Madge have had
temporary reconciliations enough; have
been thinking lately, more than once, that
your engagement"
We'll, we have ended it,, Larry began
doggedly, but his voice suddenly faltered
his face worked, and he had to turn away
his head, pretending to hunt for something
In his vest pocket which Mr.. Elsmere, re-
garding him through his glass, felt quite
sure he knew was not there. But, when
Larry looked back his countenance had
grown hard again and his voice matched II
as he continued: 'Tllgo pack my yalise; ]
know you will let your man see TO the rest
Of my traps and send them down by the first
train in the morning.. shall leave New
York tomorrow night"
Certainly; you can trust Walters to have
your trunks reach you In good season." Mr.
Elsmere replied, cheerfully. "And there is
something want to ask you to do for me-
to stop over in Chicago and see poor Charley
Moulton; was going to write. but you can
attend to the matter much better; I've Just
had q letter from him."
Charley in Chicago? Whatever took
him there ?" demanded Larry, at once reused
out of himself by his interest for his favoritt
friend. SIS anything the matterP"
YES, everything; that COMPOUNDED silver
mine In Montana has failed. You know hi.
father shortly before his death would inves
largely In 1t In spite of me and everybody
else"
And it's gone upp By Jove, that's toe
bad" cried Larry. Cant we do something
for dear old Charley?"
Il want you to see him and find out what
plans he. has-th0ugh / don't suppose the
poor boy has made any yet. think he had
can get him good position. However, ]
will write you letter Of directions and send
1t with your luggage"
Yes, do; my head isn't steady enough
Just at present to take in explanations y
Larry replied, his mind rushing back TO his
wrath and his wrongs. "What a tremen.
fool have been-but it's over, OF course
you blame me: so will the whole tribe-but
don't care, where they are concerned; they
may al go TO the deuce in their own way
There was danger that he might at leas
try to do so II he set off In this mood, ant
Mr.: Elsmere wanted to hear exactly what
had happened in order to cast about fol
Mcouo w hCdi tuo DItdcu, though long eXpe
rience In young peoples love affairs had rem
dered him too astute to ask questions or show
any desire to act as mediator.
am not blaming you, my boy" he said
calmly; Il merely look at the matter in
practical fashion-if you and Madge cam
agree; 1t viii be wiser for you to separate al
once; and to judge from the way in which
you have been going on, you would stand
small chance Of happiness-it is good thing
TO have learned 1t in time"
Then OF course Master Larry famed I'D. a:
an angry lover always does when his owr
sternly announced resolves are conceded
with and reiterated by another.
Inat sort OF advice comes easily enough
to an old bachelor, I've mo doubt" cried he
as passionately as If his relative had pro
posed some cold-blooded remedy for his I'M,
which could never have occurred to his owr
mind Il don't suppose you ever cared two
straws about any woman in your life. The
idea OF calmly telling fellow to look al
things practically, when-when his heart il
breaking, and he Is nearly wild with-with-
oh, let's say no morew
de turned away his head again, this time
without any pretense TO disguise that he dld
Tito hide his emotion. Mr.. Elsmere smiled
unseen at this taunt, which carried his
thoughts back to a season In the mast that
had held suffering compared to which the
woes OF this youth were slight indeed Rui
the elderly bachelor had kept his secret so
carefully and successfully even from his
nearest relatives that Larry could mot dream
what sting his words held, and. since the
record OF that bitter experience could he nj
no avail. Mr.. Elsmere only allowed faint
sigh to succeed his smile, then remarked in 4