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


man from the country, and, not less impor-
tant. Tramlay's manner toward the younger
guest. He could also 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 1t was bis own fault
If he did not, for he had been one Of her
suitors nearly quarter of century before,
and the lady had never ceased to be mildly
grateful for this compliment, and to reposo az
much confidence in him as a loyal wife might
without harm grant an acquaintance who
never had been offensive
That Mrs Tramlay wanted Lucia to be
come Mrs Margs was one Of these conf
dences-not spoken, but none the less dis
tinctly understood-and 1t had taken all of
Marge's adroitness to maintain his position
with the family, since Lucia's coming out"
to avoid being brought to propose. Several
years earlier he had fully intended to make
Lucia his own when she should reach mar!
riageable age, and many and acceptable had
been the attentions by which he had endeav-
ored to secure the first place In the girls re-
gard. But somehow, as his prospects gradu-
ally yet distinctly frightened, the profits Of
the iron trade as gradually and distinctly
waned; Marge was not in the iron trade him.
self, but Lucia's father was, and bachelors at
40 generally expect something with a bride
besides a fathers blessing. What the girls
father thought Of him Marge had never taken
time to wonder, for il he was satisfactory to
his fastidious self how could he be otherwise
to Flooding family mani His social position
was good; his name had never been part Of q
scandal; he had no debts; no never borrowed
money, and, although a club man, no one had
ever seen him drunk or heard of his being
fond OF actresses. II all this did not make
man not merely irreproachable, but highly
desirable as a son-in-law. what did parents
cxpect2
The arrangement of seats at tho table suit
ed Lucia also. She knew her mothers mat
rimonial intentions regarding her. She was
not In love with Marge, but girls In her set
did not think 1t good form to be very fond of
mon whom they probably would have 10
marry. II, however, Marge meant business,
she wished he would be more attentive to It.
She felt that she was missing great deal of
pleasure for lack Of proper escort. Twice in
the course of the last season Marge had taken
her and her mother to tho opera; Lucia
adorod opera-that is, she liked to look about
the house, and see who was with who, and
how the prima donna dressed, and to have
gentlemen call at her box between acts-but
two operas were merely sips at a cup she
longed to drain, and only once had she been
able to persuade her father to mitigate tho
privation. II apparent interest In Phil at
table could have any effect upon Marges
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 In her minds eye when
her father announced that Phil was coming
to dinner, seemed hard task; but when the
young man mado his appearance Lucia was
so agreeably surprised that what had seemed
task at once became by anticipation posi-
tive pleasure
The evening soon opened promisingly for
Marge, for Phil took soup a second tfme-a
proceeding which indicted upon Mrs. Tram
lay several moments Of uncontrolled annoy
ance and caused profound silence around the
table. But Lucia rapidly recovered; des-
perate cases required desperate remedies; 50
she said:
Phil, do you remember that dinner you
once made us in tho grove by the beachsr
Indeed do" said Phi. ~ never shall
forget it." And he told the truth, for Lucias
look OF horror when he brought from the
fire piece Of board piled high with roasted
CLAIMS had been one Of tho few great mental
hampers of his life.
You made US forks from dried twigs,S
said Lucia " kept mine as q memento; 10
Is hanging over my mantel now, with a bow
of blue ribbon around it.n
Marge frowned perceptibly; Mrs. Tram
La looked Mortified; but Phii's face NeAt-
ened 80 quickly that Lucia's little heart gave
q gay bound.