Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-03

distance the attentions of men and that para
lyzed what society begun to term dudes
Perhaps it was the sang froid of Carson that
first attracted her attention to him so that he
became a guest of her mothers house, and
bore with infinite patience her persistent
| raillery. His amusing Indifference to life,
| the mystery hanging about him and the
eccentricity of banking clerk keeping q
body servant became additional incidents of
attention. Neither was admittedly to each
other in love with each other; yet each con-
fessedly cared for association with the other
| Such combination of friendship, however,
often brings around the best union of head
and heart. Was it not written in one of
the ephemera of the first Lord Lytton that
sexual association invariably led to that
state of heart and head which found perfect
happiness in the companIonship of two per-
sons of different sexes, and gave compare
| tive misery during their mutual absence.
Misery only Modified by the hope of fresh
companionship-a state to which Lord
Lytton gaue the name OF love.
When her mother once hinted at such a
word, and deprecated her throwing herself
away upon a clerk or secretary Of whom
nobody knew anything" Vera heartily
laughed; yet when she retired to her apart
ments her mirror, if it had tongue, could
have prated of her thoughtful demeanor
there and of her quietude, as ii catechism
of certain kind was being applied by the
''Me" to the Myself"
When once the banker-employer slightly
rallied Carson upon his attentions to the
lady, Carson also laughed but also grew
thoughtful and taciturn.
She had often endeavored to turn his con-
Versation upon English matters and social
associations in British cities and ruralities,
yet entirely without definite clews as to
whom he might be- His very avoidance of
his past, except as to his travels ana ad-
ventures, more and more increased the
mystery, and aroused her interest. She
could, of course, like many of her sex, have
aired her curiosity in questions, or have in
truded herself upon his secretiveness by
many an adroit reference. But she was ian
angel who feared to tread" however much
others might be tempted to ''rush in"
"The Dead Heart is of late current
phrase. That Carson possessed dead heart
was the general impression among his ac-
quaintanees. Yet In his day, or rather hey
day, he had been popular among women,
yet had never been entangled. There was
an indescribable magnetism about him
which at first fascinated and then deepened
its attraction. When he chose to talk it
was upon other peoples topics and not his
own. This method interests listeners and
banishes self consciousness. OF such kind
was the conversation of Macaulay. OF such
kind is not the talk of Ruskin. The
adroit conversationalist having limpid reser-
voirs to tap knows how to draw silVery flows
of language.
But is dead heart" truthful phrase?
A hearts emotion may be CONCEALED by sor-
row or made apathetic by ingratitude; but
to every such an heart there can come the
healing touch OF some circumstance.
Carson's heart had long been apathetic
under stratum of selfshness. 1t had been
at times CONCEALED by disappointments.
Vera's heart had never been CONCEALED, but
want OF any fairy touch from an event had
held it in state of syncope. Carson's ap-
parent indifference had given her heart
quicker beat. Her unwonted companionshIp
had thawed his habitual iciness of emotion
When skater whisks toward thin ice there
is often hapless fascination to him in the
placard Dangerous" and so q man in love
yet fully realizing the precariousness or per-
haps impolicY of his suit will nevertheless
tempt himself with hopes and companion
ship. Carson one night fell asleep MUIR
muring: What grand duchess Vera
would make 1f-if-" but the contingency
was so entirely distant that when he fell
asleep the smile at such a folly remained
upon his face.
In few months his opportunities for So
cisl enjoyment were enhanced by the receipt
of some unexpected balance from the con-
fdential solicitors of the family, who, of
course, knew and kept all OF his secrets.
Vera's birthday intervened and she received
from him the souvenir of a tasteful writing
case of original design-his own-and of
unique comfort in use. Vera had rallied
him kindly but firmly on his extravagance,
but he parried it pleasantly.
A friend of Vera seeing it in her boudoir re-
marked upon it. do you know there is gossip
about you twof CaYa amorem rs my college
brother nnQtss