The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-11-08

to friends to whom could afterward explain
friends who are too good hearted to make
spiteful remarks afterward, Besides, can
blame father for it.; all girls have fathers
whose ways are queer In one way or an
other"
While acting upon this plan, and finding,
to her great relief, that Phil could talk
courteous nothings to new acquainsances, she
suddenly found herself face 10 face with a
man Of uncertain age but faultless dress and
manner, who said:
"Mayn't be favored with an introduction
Your friend is being 50 heartily praised by
your father that am quite anxious to know
him."
"Mr. Marge, Mr.. Hayn," said Lucia Phils
proffered hand was taken by what seemed to
be bit of languid machinery, although en-
circled at one end by a cuff and coat sleeve
and decorated with a seal ring. Phil scanned
with interest the face before him, for he had
often heard Mr.. Marge mentioned when the
Tramlay family were at Haynton. His look
was returned by one that might have been a
stare had it possessed single indication of
interest, surprise or curiosity. Mr.. Marge
| had met young men before; he had been see
ing new faces for twenty-five years, and one
more or less could not rouse him from the
composure which he had been acquiring dur
ing all that time.
"Can you spare your friend few moments"
said MIR. Marge to Lucia II would be glad
to introduce him to some Of the gentlemen"
"You are very kind" murmured Lucia,
who was dying-so she informed herself-to
rejoin some Of her girl friends and explain
the awkward nature Of the intrusion. Marge
offered Phil his arm, a courtesy the young
man did not understand, 50 he took Pills in
stead, and presented the youth to several
gentlemen as an old friend Of the family.
Soon, however, Marge led Phil into tiny
room at the rear of the hall-a room nomi-
nally the library, the books consisting Of
dictionary and Bible, the greater part of
the shelf space being occupied by pipes, to-
bacco boxes, cigar cases, ash receivers and
other appurtenances of the vice and comfort
Of smoking. Placing Phil in a great easy
chair, the back Of which hid him from the
company, Marge took cigarette from his
own case, which he afterward passed to Phil.
"No small vices" said he, as Phil declined.
"Just as well off, suppose AS for me-
here Mr.. Marge struck a match-''Ive puff
been acquainted with the weed so long that
puff I can't very well snub it when l
would"
II think nicotine Is injurious to the brain,
the lungs, and finally to the digestion" said
Phil "Have you seen Professor Benchof's
analysisl They were printed In the"-
II may have seen them in print, but Pm
sure passed them," said Marge, exhaling
smoke in such a way that 1t hid his face for
an instant. ~ can't afford to worry myself
with information that I'd rather not use."
"But ones physique" said Phil.
Zones physique becomes quite obliging
when it knows what Is expected Of it."
Phil mentally soughta way Of passing this
unexpected obstacle; meanwhile, Marge
breathed lazily through his cigarette mo-
ment or two, and then said:
miss Tramlay is a charming girl"
Indeed she Is" PHI replied. IF she only
were''-
"Tut, tut, my dear sir, )" said Marge, "wom-
an Is divine, and it isn't good form to criticise
divinity. Miss Tramlay Is remarkably pref
ty; trust we agree at least upon that safe
ground"
"Prettyi" echoed Phil, before Marge had
ceased speaking. "She is radiant-angelicl"
Again Mr.. Marge enshrouded his face with
smoke, after which he did not continue the
conversation, except to remark, YES" Phil
studied the color tone of the room, and WON
dered why paper like that on the wall had
not been offered for sale by the storekeeper
ut Haynton; then he resolved he would buy
and take home to his mother chair Just like
that in which he was sitting, for it was 50
comfortable that he felt as IL he could fall
asleep in it. Indeed, he was already 80 obliv-
ious to Marge and other human presence that
be was startled when gentle rustic ushered
In Lucia, who exclaimed:
Phil, you must come back to the parlor
Half a dozen girls arc real envious because
they haven't seen you at all and half dozen
others want to see more Of you. Father has
been sounding your praises until they're sure
the Admirable Crichton has come to life
again."
Phil attempted to rise-an awkward opera
ton to a man previously unacquainted with
Turkish chairs. Lucia laughed, and offered
him assistance--it was only little hand, but
he took It, and as he looked his thanks he saw
Lucia's face as he had sometimes known 10 of
old-entirely alert and merry. At tho same
time load fell from his mind, load which
he had been vaguely trying to attribute to
the lateness Of the hour, the strangeness of
his rroundings-anything but the manner
In which the girl had first greeted him. As
she took his arm and hurried him out Of the
library he felt so fully himself that he forgot
even that no was not attired like the gentle
mon around him.
Mr.. Mnrge, who had risen when Lucia en-
tered the library, followed the couple with
his eyes; then, when alone, he frowned slight
ly, bit his lip dropped the end of his cigarette,
paced to and fro several times, leaned on the
mantcl, and muttered:
"Philrn
Then no lighted another cigarette, and
yelled his face in smoke for several minutes.