Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-10-25

his shoU! .er and make some speeches bright
enough 10 cheer Llcias ace,
1T mGynt ae entirely dreadful, after
all, thought the gigl | can introduce him
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 acquaintance, she
suddenly found herself face to face with q
man of uncertain age but faultlcss dress and
manner, who said:
"Mayn't be favored with an introduction
Your friend is being so heartily praised by
your father that am quite anxious to know
him"
Mr.. Marge Mr.. Hayn," said Lucia Pills
proTered hand was taken by what seemed to
be bit of languid machinery, although en-.
circled 1t one end by cuff and coat sleeve
and decorated with q 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 q
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 momentsfn
said lMr. 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. Marpe
offered Phil his arm, a courtesy the young
man did not understand, so he took Phil's 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 q cigarette from hi.
own case, which he afterward passed to Phil
NO small vices, said he, as Phil declined
"Just as well of, suppose. As for me-
here Mr. Marge struck a match-''rve (pufY)
been acquainted with tho weed so long that
pum | can't very we'll snub it when ]
would"
II think nicotine is injurious to the brain
the lungs, and finally to the digestion" said
Phil Have you seen Professor Benchofi
analysisl They were printed in the
II may have seen them in print, but Tn
sure passed Them" said Marge, exhalina
smoke in such a way that 1t hid his face fol
an instant II can't afford to worry myself
with information that I'd rather not use."
But ones physique" said Phil
"One's physique becomes quite obligine
when it knows what is expected Of it."
| Phil mentally sought way Of passing thi.
unexpected obstacle; meanwhile, Margs
breathed lazily through his cigarette a mo
ment or two, and then said:
Miss Tramlay is a charming girl"
Indeed she IS" Phil replied "If she only
were''-
Tut, tut, my dear sir, !" said Marge, "wom
an is divine, and it isn't good form to critics.
divinity. Miss Tramlay is remarkably pref
ty; trust we agree at least upon that safe
ground~
"PrettyT echoed Phil, before Marge had
ceased speaking. "She is raciant-angelicr
Again Mr.. Marge enshrouded his face with
smoke, after which he did not continue the
conversation, except to remark, "Yes" Phi
studied the color tone Of the room, and won.
dered why paper like that ON the wall hac
not been offered for sale by the storekeepeI
at Haynton; then he resolved he would buy
and take home to his mother q chair Just like
that in which he was sitting, for It was &C
comfortable that he felt as II he could fal
asleep In it Indeed, he was already 30 obliv
ious to Marge and other human presence tina,
be was startled when gentle rustic ushered
In Lucia, who exclaimed:
Phil, you must come back to the parlor.
Half dozen girls are 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 man previously unacquainted will
Turkish chairA Lucia laughed, and offered
him assistance-it was only q little hand, but
he took it, and as he looked his thanks he 50 v
Lucia's face as be had sometimes known it Of
old-entirely alert and merry. At the same
time load fell from his mind, = load which
he had been vaguely trying to attribute r
the latenes Of the hour, the strangeneo Of
his surroundings-anything but the mannes
in which the girl had flrst greeted him. Al
she took his arm and hurried him out Of thu
library he felt 20 fully himself that hs forgo,
even that he was not attired IKE the gentle
men around him
Mr.. Marge, who had risen when Lucia en-
tered the library, followed the couple with
! his eyes; then, when alone, he frowned slight
IL, bit his lip, dropped the end Of his cigarette
paced to and fro several times leaned on thu
mantel, and mutterad
! "'Philr"
Then he lighted another cigarette, ane
yelled his face In smoke for several minutes
To be continued