Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1888-11-24

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abruptly left the room. followed by 9
wlstful wondering look from Francie's
dark eyes, and one Of different import from
Mrs. Theodosia Browns languiBhing orbs.
sand rich widow to be had for the ask
ing,n muttered old Bynner, soto UOes, yet
loud enough for Rev. Putter to hear-that
gentleman being strongly suspected OF en-
tertaining designs against Mrs Browns
heart and bank account.
Mr.. Putter scowled and Widger, who
posed as cynic, shrugged his shoulders.
"Blake is one Of those fellows who, born
with a silver spoon in his mouth, Is mad
all the time because it isn't gold, don't you
know" he observed, looking about for the
applause which did not follow what he
thoughtrather a neat remark
But carelessly unconscious Of the char
table comments Of his fellow boarders.
Dick made his way to his room, locked the
door and began to make preparations for
an immediate departure to Kalamazoo or
Kamaschatka-it didn't matter Any
where to get away from his sorrow-from
himself.
While thus occupied, highly, scented
note was slipped under the door. The con-
tents were as follows:
MRS. Brown would be deltted to have
Mr.. Blake make one Of little informal
gathering at her rooms this Thanksgiving
eve. THEoDosIE B. Brown"
regret to say that the young man NUT
tered something uncomplimentary TO the
female sex, and widows in particular, as he
tossed the note into the waste-paper bas-
ket Yet after thinking it over a little, he
decided to go. 1t would be proper time
and place to say goodbye to those of his
fellow boarders who were present. It
would look rather strange to refuse, any
way. And then'he wanted to apologize to
Rev. Putter for his hasty utterance. In
short he brought every reason for his at
tendance except the real one. And this
was that having an expensive upright
piano which she could not play, Mrs Brown
always included Francie, who sang and
played dlvinely, in her invitations to those
informal gatherings"
Mr.. Blake did not appear as usual at
supper. The monotonous tread Of slip.
pered feet pacing back and forth in his
room and the strong smell Of tobacco
smoke, which drifted through the tran.
som, would seem to indicate an abortive
attempt at drowning his sorrows in the
overhowing bowl Of his meerschaum.
Most rooms exhibit certain character
istics Of their occupants Thus, Mrs. Theo-
dosia Browns might be described in a
word-showy. There was a certain gar
ishness Of color everywhere visible, from
the deliberately framed oil paintings
against their background Of heavily gilt
paper, to the portiere and insidel curtains
and figured silk upholstery Of the furni-
ture.
But it all looked very cheerful and
pleasant in the subdued glow from the
gas chandeliers to the eyes Of the dozen or
more invited guests on the Thanksgiving
evening Of which write. At least, so
they all remarked as sort Of opening
chorus, and we all know that what every
one says must be perfectly true.
The menagerie was, generally speaking,
in somnolent condition. The pet alli-
gator, relegated to the smalT ante room out
OF consideration to Mr. Putter's feelings,
was presumably dormant in his box. The
Angora cat slept contentedly on a Turkish
rug before an open CRATE of glowing an
thracite The parrot slumbered-or pre-
tended to-in his swinging perch in the
big bay window. One of the pugs snored
on a corner cushion. The whereabouts of
the other was made known directly after
the entrance of Rev. Mr.. Putter
Being nearsighted he had not seen that
the canine was occupying the newest easy
chair, into which the reverend gentleman
dropped heavily, to spring lightly and
hastily up with short, sharp shrek that
was drowned in ear piercing yelps.
But even this agreeable incident which
1lcaA NJ 4 lfv,rr
ent with secret but unseemly laughter
Of young Mr. Blake. In vain Mrs. Brown
vouchsafed her sweetest smiles, while
equally vain were the attempts Of Miss
Dasher, very decollete young woman, to
lure him to her side. With an air of
Byronic melancholy that closely resembled
sullenness, he stood afar on following
with his eyes every movement of pretty
Francie, to whom, on entering, he had
vouchsafed the most formal Of bows.
Indeed, so marked had been his coldness,
that Francie, who was perfectly unconven
tional, had asked, with gentle surprise in
the depths of her dark eyes:
Have / done any thing to offend you,
Mr.. BlakeP
ut isn't what you have done, but what
you haven't" he answered, rather bitter
ly And his eyes had rested so strangely
on her little pin at her throat that,
involuntarily, Francie put up her slim
hand to see If any thing was wrong there
II do not understand you," Francie had
simply answered. And as poor Blake, full
of jealous bitterness, forbore to explain,
Francie drew herself up rather proudly
and walked away.
But is it this that gives the simple touch
of pain to her marvellous contralto voice
which a few moments later thrills the
listeners, as
under the artists flying hand
The white keys rise-the white keys fall"
Hark-
"I am tired-heart and feet
Turn from busy mart and street.
am tired-rest is sweet
"I am tired. Loss and gain,
Golden sheaves and scattered grain,
Hath the day not passed in valn.''
II do not feel in the mood for singing TO-
night" she said, somewhat abruptly, ris.
ing as she spoke, to be at once taken pos
session of by young Golden, to Blal1e's in
ward wrath and despair. And then, in a
reaction of reckless defiance, Dick began
flirting fast and furious with Mrs. Theo-
"a u 4 : ! I,;.I.i.E ).