The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-11-15

man from tho country and, not less impOr
tant, Tramlay's manner toward the younger
guest. He could ni,O note the effect of the
young man and his ways upon Mrs. Tramlay
for did he not know how To translate every
expression Of her facet II was his own fault
If no did not, for he had been one Of her
sutors nearly a quarter Of a century before
aud the lady had never ceased 10 be mildly
grateful for this compliment, and 10 ropose MS
much confidence IN him a loyal wife might
without harm grant an acquaintance who
never had been offensive
That Mrs Trnmlay wanted Lucia 10 be-
como Mrs Margc was one OF these conf
dcnccs-npt spoken but mono the less dis
tnctly understood and IL had taken all Of
Margc's adroitucss 10 maintain his position
with the family since lucia's coming out"
to avoid being brought 10 propose. Several
years earlier he had fully intended 10 make
Lucia his own when sho should reach mar
riageablc ace, and many aud acceptable had
been the attentions by which he had cndeav
orcd 10 secure the iir,t place IA the girls re-
gard But somehow, "a, Eis prospects gradu.
ally yet distinctly frightened, the profits Of
tho iron trade a. gradually and distinctly
wancd, Margc wa, not lu the iron trade him
SELF but lucas father was, and bachelors at
besides a fathers blessing What the girls
father thought of him MarEe had never taken
time 10 wonder, for it hc was satisfactory to
fastidous self how could he he otherwise
90 plodding family mani His social position
was good his name had never been part of a
scandal, he had no debts, he never borrowed
money, aud, although club man, no ono had
ever seen him drunk or heard of his being
fond Of actresses II all this did not make Q
man not merely irreproachable, but highly
desirable a. "A son-in-aw what did parents
expect
The arrangement Of seats nt the table suit
cd Lucia also She knew her mothers mat
rimonial intentions regarding her She was
not In lOyo with Marge, but girls In her set
did not think It good form TO be very fond Of
men whom they probably would have to
marry II, however, Marge meant business,
she wished ho would be more attentive TO IL.
Sho felt that She was missing great deal OF
pleasure for lack of proper escort Twice in
the course Of tho last season Marge had taken
her and her rother To tho opera Lucia
adorcd opcra-that is, she liked to look about
the house, md see who was with who, and
how the prima donna dressed, and 20 have
gentlemen call at her box between acts-but
two operas wcro merely sips at n cup she
longed To drain, and only once had she been
able 10 persuade her father To mitigate tho
privation. II apparent interest IN Phil at
table could have any effect upon Marge's
languid purpose, the provoking fellow should
not lack stimulus TO have TO devote herself
for whole hour to one young man. in the
long hair and country garb which regained
their awkwardneSs i'm her minds eye when
her father announced that Phil was coming
TO dinner, seemed hard task, but when the
young man made his appearance Lucia was
SO agreeaby surprised that what had seemed
a task at once became 10y anticipation posi-
tive pleasure
The evening soon opened promsingly for
Marge for Phil took soup a second time-a
proceeding which inflicted upon Mrs Tram
lay several moments of uncontrolled annoy
auco and caused profound silence around the
table But Lucia rapidly recovered, des
perato cases required desperate remedies SO
she said
Phil, do YOU remember that dinner you
once made Us in the grove 10y the beach"
Indeed | do" said Phil II never shall
forget it," And he told the truth, for Iucia's
look of horror when he brought from tho
fire "A piece of board piled high with roasted
CLANS had been one OF the few great mental
dampors OF his life
"Nou made us forks from dried twigs," Z"
said Lucia II kept mine as "A memeuto, it
l. hanging over my mantel now, with a bow
of blue ribbon around it
Margc frowncd perceptbly, Mrs Tram
lay looked horrited, hut Phils face light
ened 81 quicbly that l.ucia's little heart gave
ga bound
Continued ,aNt NVanE