Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-15

speak Of he gets out of sorts and dull like;
anyhow there's nothing wrong about him.
He's just as sane and sensible as you and 1. I"
After waiting for two days longer and
finding the wet weather continue, Mr.. Guls-
ton packed up his rods and fishing tackle
and returned to Plymouth. He had learned
little more about the family at The Hold
beyond the fact that the Hon. Mrs. Mervvn,
who inhabited house standing half mile
further up the valley, was the aunt of Reg
inald and Margaret Carne, she having been
sister of the late possessor of The Hold.
In her youth she had been, people said, the
counterpart of her niece, and it was not,
therefore, wonderful that Clithero Mervyn
had, in spite of the advice of his friends
and the reputation of the Carnes, taken
what was considered the hazardous step of
making her his wife.
This step he had never repented, for she
had, like her brother, been one of the most
popular persons in that part of the county,
and universal favorite. The Mervyn es-
tate had years before formed part of that of
the Carnes, but had been separated from it
in the time of Sir Edgar's grandson, who
had been as fond of London life and rs keen
gambler as his ancestor.
The day before he started, as he was
standing at the door OF the hotel, Reginald
Carne and his sister had ridden past; they
seemed to care no more for the weather than
did the people of the village, and were
laughing and talking gaily as they passed,
and Charles Gulston thought to himself
that he had never seen brighter and pref
tier face than that of the girl in all his
travels.
He thought often of the face that day,
but he was not given to romance, and when
he had once returned to his active duties as
First Lieutenant of H. NJ. S. Tenebreuse,
he thought no more on the subject until
three weeks later his captain handed him a
note, saying:
"Here, Gulston, this is more in your line
than mine. It's an invitation to q ball for
myself and some of my officers from Mrs.
Mervyn. have met her twice at the Ad-
miral's, and she is very charming woman,
but as her place is more than 20 miles away
and long distance from railway station,
1 certainly do not feel disposed to make the
journey. They are, believe, a good coun-
ty family. She has two pretty daughters
and soma captain in the Borderers, who
came into garrison about month ago; SO I
have no doubt the soldiers will put in q
strong appearance"
81 know the place, sir" Gulston said;
sits not far from Carnesford, the village
where was away fishing the other day, and
as heard good deal about them think 1
will put in an appearance. dare say Mr..
Lucas will be glad to go, too, if you can
can spare him"
Certainly, any of them you like, Gull
ston, but don't take any of the midshipmen;
you see Mrs. Mervyn has invited nv off,
GERS, but as the soldiers are likely to show
up in strength, I don't suppose she wants
too many of US.
1--WE have an invitation to a ball, Doc
tor" Lieutenant Gulson said after leaving
the Captain, to their ships doctor, "tor the
2Oth., at Mrs. Mervin's. The captain
says we had better not go more than three.
Personally rather want to go. So Hilton
of course must remain on board, and Lucas
can go. I know you like these things, al
though you are not dancing man. As a
rule 1t goes sorely against my conscience
taking such useless person as one of our
representatives; but upon the present Jocca-
sion 1t does not matter, as there is son of
the house in the Borderers; and, of course,
they will put in an appearance in strength.
"a man can make himself very useful at
ball, even If he doesn't dance, Gulston,"
the doctor said: "Young fellows always
think chits of girls are the only section of
the female sex who should be thought OF.
Who are going to look after their mothers,
if there are only boys present? The con-
versation of sensible man like myself is
quite as great treat to the chaperons as is
the pleasure of hopping about the room
with you to the girls. The conceit and sell
fshness of you lads surprise me more and
more, there are literally no bounds to them.
How far'i this place Off"
TITS about 20 miles by road, or about Is
by train, and eight or nine to drive after
ward. happen to know about the place as
it's close to the village where was fishing
a fortnight ago."
''Then think the chaperons wifi have to
do without me, Gulsron. am fond Of
studying human nature, but If that involves
staying up all night and coming back in
the morning, the special section of human
nature there presented must go unstud-
ied."
81 have been thinking that one can man.
age without that, Doctor. There is very
snug little inn where I was stopping in the
village. less than mile from the ejhouse /
propose that we go over in the afternoon,
dine at the inn, and dress there. Then we
can get trap TO take us up to the Mervyn's,
and can either walk or drive down again