The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-13

quiet"
Eyes, yes-I know. But oh, Tom. Civ,
me chancel I'll tell him myself. Prom
Use me-please promise me that you'll
say nothing about II.
The young man stands scowling
angry with himself at the position h,
finds himself in. His mission to III,
Nanvo0rsts' would DO accomplished sue
cessfully should no use against Mrs
Mackenzie the weapon which she herself
has pat into his hands But. apart from
her appeal for silence, every instinct in
the man protests against this BETRAYAL OF
a confidence "a confidence made in him by
a woman, and that woman one whom he
liked a litilc once" So, with only duty.
and that not very clearly defined. on tho
one hand, and honor. inclination. and g
very handsome woman on the other. he i,
not long In coming t0a conclusion. "Why
should | iutorfere?' he says. make
yourself entirely easy-I promise"
The victorious lady thanks him with an
elusiveness which it would be sacrilcgc
+ TO describe were description possible. and
then they resume their walk II becomes
evident that the elderly lover has disap.
pcarcd for the night. and that Mrs Mac.
konzc. being of duty, has no objection 70
exchanging few refreshing condolences
with her old friend, whom she has always
found amusing, though Improbable.
She drops tragedy and assumes the old,
swcetly confidential manner
"And what has Mr. Blake been doing
with himself all these years.
Mr. Blake has been doing a great
many things, and al very bad"
Yes, poor boy; goodness wasn't much
in your line when | used 10 know YOU.
and one don't improve with age-does
one."
You certainly have not deteriorated'
with bold, steady look down into her
eyes, which meet his half way. Then
that glance passes-that indescribable
challenge which resembles the flourish
with which two fencers salute each other
as they measure the folls. Tie forcets
everything but the face beside him: and
for the next half hour they talk that non
sense which seems 80 clever Mt the mo
ment and 50 silly next day. But the last
carriage rolls of down the drive and Mrs
Mackenzie develops a regard for the pro.
rric.les which Blake was not familiar
with IA Laura Mabury, and leaves
him with a most gracious Coco
night" and tong. in-er!ng's pres
sure OF Ler strong white hand. The
light, 20 out; the ladies trail their long
lengths of silk or muslin mp tho br0ao
stairs. and leave the world b. darkness
and a final cigar. during tine consumption
of which Blake finds the "horsey" talk of
NanvOorst rather mopoton0us. At length
as the big Dutch clock on the staircase
of 1sr,.fs
strangulatiOn, strikes ?. he puts out hi.
candles, and tumbling into bed. is lullec
70 sleep, in spite Of a remorseful con
science by the gentle souhd of rain and |
the dreary song o! the tree tOads. Abou,
o'clock the next morning our young |
friend has the honor Of tete a tete break |
fast with his elderly host. these two being |
the only ones down at that early hour. Mr. |
Vanvoorst converses with a happy mix |
ture Of old school dignity and elephan |
tine bumOr much akin TO the manner !
of his friend the Judge; but he is sui
ficiently pleasant 70 make Blake feel |
dOubly uncomfortable and guilty; 70 |
such an extent that he revOlyes in his |
mind many excuses for going back O.
the city IN the course Of the day Break
fast over the senior has business with his
farmer and tho younger, cigar in mouth
and hands In pockets, stands on the
piazza and looks over long slope Of wei
kept lawn at the gray stretch OF river Ii
Is muggy morning, and the opposite
hills are half hidden in mist. No rain /.
falling, but every branch and twig drip.
with moisture. and the gravel of the drive
has that clean, well washed look that
toll. q Hu14l flIn in b.. s.f.r |
Mr.. Blake finds his surroundings luxu
rious, but not mspiriting. and debates
whether he shall be called back to New
York by some bold fiction Of forgotten
business, or telegram from dying uncle
or whether he shall honestly but igno
niniously run away, and leave the sharer
Of his guilty secret to explain his flight
Two influences are az work against his
that half acknowledged
softness,' as be calls il, which makes
him hnger in Kate Stuart's quiet pres
snce, whenever he has the chance, fancy |
ng that he feels a better man there than
elsewhere; the other, reckless wish e
zee the thing through, which has it.
lrgin In his Interview with Mrs. Macken |
10. Mrs. Mackenzie has peculiar effect
N most men, inspiring them to do thing.
ometimes bad and generally silly, quite
OF their original disposition,
nd capacities. She has been known e.
make mild young clergyman, admirably
daptcd to leading a side in crOquet, snl
q the social tea and muffin. forget hi
'mple pleasures, ana sit glowering II
Hence, or opening his mouth only for Ia,
tterance Of pOnderOus Johns0nian saf
soon to be expected from h!n
s absinthe from cream jug.
Not so Inconsistent is Blake's final de
to stay and see the game out.
9 which he arrives after some minutes
ard thinking. Then with a vast sigh hc
Us on the top step Of the piazza ant
rnokes. When doeS@he not smoke2 :
From the breakfSt room now comes 9 I
Jund Of life. and presently Mrs Van
oorst and Kate Stuart, fresh as only | {
iris can be when on a sEMmer morning | {
ley come to finish what zhey began the s
lght before. 1t seems Improbable that
ther Of these ladies has Any designs OF 4
lake. however, for after , few original !
marks Oh the temperature they pace the b
lazza and talk about-whac 10 girls talE {
} one another abOutl Solstimes about H
en, II is said. Blake is not conceited {
id concludes that the present converse d
on has for its subjecl THAI most sacred b
all things-clothes. Nos until Mrs S
anvoorst goes into the house TO minister a
some very late riser does Miss Stuart d
)uchsafe TO him a word Then she al If
VS. herself to be beguiled into large c.
lair, whence she gazes placidly at the v
,ung man before her, and talks Of many
lings v
What do do2 Oh. not much Of any II
iing--that is what makes the place y
very holly, don't you know. .
hey don't Hy to entertain one. which "
the surest way Of making one happy y
is such a very pretty place. See down b.
ere, Mr.. Blake, you can sec ever so many q
lies along the river. You are looking q
lite worn out-you ought to take your er
cation What DO you men do witt o:
ourselves IN New York? Go up t.
lomas7 Nothing else, suppose? Run in
, into the country to see your friends 81
lat's so good Of you. You ought al Y,
lst to stay here long enough TO find out ii
nat nice place it is-and what nice re
ople we all are. Who IS Mrs. Macken n
;, Mr.. Blake" 81
Mr.. Blake finds this coming TO the point di