Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-24

the cobwebs gathered density, and the dust ac-
cumulated, and the spiders became more
gross, hideous and velomons; the wine re-
NAMED corked, it was merely an excuse Tor
the cultivation Of cobwebs and spiders We
are all eager to show our friends through these
rich wine vaults of our hearts. We light can
dies and conduct them down with infinite
pride, and what we expose is only our curtains
Of prejudice of ancient standing and long
formation, our meannesses and our spites. Ii
we offer them to taste Of our best wine 1t is but
through straws.
On the other hand, there was Colonel Yeo. q
walking Bodega of generous sentiment with
every rich passion and ripe opinion always on
tap-ask what you would and you had a tum-
blerful. But we libel Bodega, the gush with
which he'regaled his acquaintance was not true
vintage; it was squeezed raisiDs and logwood,
gooseberry and elder-no cobwebs of prejudice
there, not trace even of a scruple, not token
of maturity.
Supper was hurried on, because Philip was
hungry, half an hour before the usual time at
which the little party sat down to their special
table in the alcove.
"Ohr' said Salome, there is cover short.
Waiter, we shall be nine tonight and in future,
not eight. My husband is here"
Pardon" answered the waiter. Monsieur
expressly said eight"
"Oh, he forgot. He did not understand. We
are now nine"
Then Philip interfered. " said eight, but il
you particularly desire Miss Durham's society,
1 can sit at the long table with the common
guests"
"Oh, Philip surely, surely notr exclaimed
Salome. at will hurt her feelings"
"She will understand that we are family
party and that from such party strangers are
best excluded"
salome heaved a sigh. She could not endure
the thought of giving pain to anyone.
"Who is she T' asked Philip.
"She is a lady. and very agreeable. Indeed,
most superior person. You will be certain to
like her. when you come to know her. oh !!
Philip, she knows thousand things about
which am ignorant"
II have no doubt about that" answered
Philip, ironically; sand things would be sorry
you should know about. make no question
she has seen the shady side of life."
''But she is tremendously rich"
"Who says so ?''
1.-THE waiter-of course. he knows. And
Colonel Yeo pays her great attention accord
ingly. Oh! Philip, 1 wish so much you would
extend your protection to her against him. He
may draw her into one of his schemes tor the
advancement of missionaries or the propaga-
tion of dogs-and get lot of money out of her.
Do, do, Philip, protect her against him. IL
l don't like to speak about him. You can
understand that Philip"
''Very WE'LL" said he, ~ will do what can."
He was fattered at the idea of acting as pro-
tector, to this young American lady. "But put
down my foot and say she is not to sit at our
table"
The party gathered in the alcove and FORUM
ately Miss Durham was the last to arrive, SO
there was no difficulty about requesting her to
take place elsewhere. When she entered the
salle-a-manger at the usual hour every seat was
occupied at the table to which for some little
while she had been admitted. She saw at a
glance that her place was taken, and she went
without demur, or q look of disappointment, to
the long table. She had sufficient tact to per-
ceive that, Philip disliked her, and she had no
intention of pressing her society on those who
did not desire it. So far from seeming vexed,
slight contemptuous smile, like the flicker OF
summer lightning played about her lips. She
caught Salome's eye, full of appeal and apology,
and returned it with good-natured nod. "a
trIle such as this" said the nod. twill not give
me offense."
Mrs. Sidebottom sat beside Philip, and piled
him with questions relative to the intentions
of Uncle Neutrality-suspicious. which he was
unable to answer. but she attributed his
evasive replies to unwillingness to speak,
and pressed him the more urgently. The Cap
tain was attentive to Janet, who had recovered
her spirits, laughed and twinkled, and without
Intentionally coquetting. did coQuette with
him. Janet became dull in female society, but
that of men acted as tonic upon her; it was
like Parrish's Chemical Food to a bloodless
girl; it brisked her up, gave color to her cheek,