Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-02-05

the grievances and the cry. It is we who are the Philistines and the oppressors i'll our turn. and, of course, the young men as they grow up are going into opposition"
 And a very good thing, tool" said Forbes "It's the only thing that prevents Oxford be- coming as dull as the rest of the world All your picturesQueness, so to speak, has been struck out of the struggle between the two forces. The church force is the one that has given you all your buildings and your beauty, while, as for you liberals, who will know such a lot of things that you're none the happier for knowing-well, suppose you keep the place habitable for the plain man who doesn't want to be bullied. But it's very good thing the other side are strong enough to keep you in order"
 The conversation flowed on vigorously Forbes guiding it, now here now there, while Kendall presently turned away to talk in an undertone to Mrs. Stuart, who sat next to him, at the further corner of the table from Miss Bretherton.
 Edward has told you of my escapade," said Mrs. Stuart. "Yes, I have put my foot in it dreadfully. don't know how it will turn out, I am sure. She's so set upon it, and Edward is so worried. don't know how came to tell her. You see, Eve seen so much of her lately, it slipped out when we were talking"
 Ut was very natural" said Kendall, glad to notice from Mrs. Stuart's way of attack ing the subject that she knew nothing of his own share in the matter. It would have enl- barrassed him to be conscious of another ob- server. "Oh, a hundred things may turn up; there are ways out of these things if one is determined to find them"
 Mrs. Stuart shook her head. 'She is so curiously bent upon it. She is possessed with the idea that the play will suit her better x,cl,, 1,ac hs,,y- her looking very tiredl 1 have come to know her much better these last few weeks, and it seems absurd, but get anxious about her. Of course, she is an enormous success, but I fancy the theatrical part of it has not been quite so great as it was at first"
 ''So I hear," too," said Kendall, "the theatre is quite as full, but the temper of the audience good deal fiatter."
 "Yes," said Mrs. Stuart; "and then there is that curious little sister of hers whom you haven't seen, and who counts for a good deal l believe that in reality she is very fond of Isabel, and very proud of her, but she's very jealous of her, too, and she takes her re- venge upon her sister for her beauty and her celebrity by collecting the hostile things peo- pie say about her acting, and pricking them into her every now and then, like many pins. At first Isabel was so sure of herself and the public that she took no notice-it seemed to her only what every actress must expect. But now it is different. She is not so strong as she when she came over, nor so happy, I think, and the criticisms tell more She is heartily sick of the White Lady, and is bent upon D change, and I be- heve she thinks this play of Edwards is Just what she wants to enable her to strengthen her hold upon the public.
 ''There never was a greater delusion,n said Kendall; tits the last part in the world she ought to attempt. Properly speaking, unless she puts it in, there's no posing ill It, none of that graceful attitudiniZing she does so we'll It's long, tragic part-a tremendous strain, and would take all tho powers CT the most accomplished art to givo it variety and charm"
 "Oh, I know," sighed Mrs. Stuart. "I know. But what is to be dOue!'
 Kendall shrugged his shoulders with smile, feeling as hopeless as sue did. Tho paleness of the beautiful face opposite indeed had touched his sympathies very keenly, and he was beginning to think tho safety of Wallace's play not such a desperately important mat ter after all. However, there was his promise, and he must go on with it. But I'll be hanged" he said to himself, Eff come within a thousand miles of hurting her feelings Wallace must do that for himself if he wants to-"
 It had been arranged that Miss Bretherton should be allowed two breaches, and two only, of the law against sight seeing--a walk through tho schools quadrangle and a drive down High street. Mr. Sartoris, who had been an examiner during the summer term, and had so crept into the good graces of the clerk of the schools, was sent off to suborn that functionary for the keys of the iron gates which on Sunday shut out the Oxford world from the sleepy precincts of the Bod leian. Tho old clerk was in a lax vacation mood, and the envoy returned key ill hand. Mrs. Stuart and Forbes undertook the guid- ance of Miss Bretherton, while the others started to prepare the boats. It was hot June day, and the gray buildings, with their cool shadows, stood out delicately against pale blue sky, dappled with white cloud Her two guides led Miss Bretherton through the quadrangle of the schools, which, fresh as it was from the hands of the restorer, rose into the air like. some dainty white piece of old world confectionery. For the windows are set so lightly ill the stone work and are so nearly level with the wall that tho whole great building has an unsubstartial card board air, as if touch might dint it. "Then doctrinaires call it fault" said Forbes indignantly, pointing out the feature to his companions. 'rd like to see them build anything nowadays with half 50 much imagination and charm"
 The looked enviously at the closed door of the Bodleian, they read the Latin names of the schools just freshly painted at intervals round the quadrangle, and then Forbes lead them out upon the steps in front of the Rad cliffe and St. Mary's, and let them take their | time a little.
 "How strange that there should be any thing in the world" cried Miss Bretherton, ''so beautiful all through, so all of q piece as | this had no idea it would be half so good. Don't, don't laugh at me, MT. Forbes. have not seen all the beautiful things you other people have seen Just let me rave"
 II laugh at you!' said Forbes, standing back in the shadow of the archway, his fine lined face, aglow with pleasure, turned | towards her. II who have got Oxford in my bones and marrow, so to speak! Why, every stone in the place is sa- cred to me! Poetry lives here, if she has fled from all the world beside. No, no; say what you like, it cannot be too strong for me-"
 Mrs. Stuart, meanwhile, kept her head