Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-27

the port grew confidential and Philip became
tired. every minute more tired, or TomklDsr
and was vexed with himself for having askeo
Tomkins in and vowed he would dine Dy niIn-
self next evening. Then Tomkins, hnding u
difficult to rouse Philips interest and excite q
laugh, began to tell rather broad stories and
was undeterred by Philips. stony stare TIL
Philip suddenly stood up, rang for conee and
said it was time to adjourn to another room
and SO cut Tomkins short
But even after Tomkins had been got into
the drawing room and had been chilled there
by its size and coldness and the inattention OF
his host he showed little inclination to depart,
and threw out hints that he could strum an nc.
companiment to himself on the "pi-anny' and
sing song. sentimental or humorous, il Mr..
Pennycomequick would like TO hear him. But
Philip pleaded headache and became at length
so freezing as to force Tomkins to take his
leave.
Philip did not feel it necessary to accompany
his head commercial into the hall; but Mary
was there to assist him into his great coat, and
find him his hat, and give him light for his
SWerl. Mary" said Tomkins, pleasantly.
THANK you Mary; TO take light from you
warns the heart, Mary. Pm as blind as =
beetle in the dark, and pom my word. dear,
don't know my right hand from my left in the
dark. You wouldn't object, would you-there,s
a dear-just to set me on my way nome, with
my nose in the right direction, ana tnen my
cigar light will carry me on? Can't go wrong
if / follow that. But it is the first step, Mary
the first step is the thing. LIE premier paw, say
the French"
Then he hooked his arm into hers, and the
demure Mary had no objection to take just half
dozen steps along the road with the arabic
Mr.. Tom mkIns-Who was wido wer-and 10
leave the hall door ajar as she escorted him
part of his way home
Philip sat in the drawing room in bad humor.
1t was dull dining by himself; it was insuhera-
BILE dining with Tomkins. He could not invite
brother manufacturers to dine with him every
evening. What must he do? He would return
to plain food and a book at his solitary meal,
and dismiss the critical parlOr maid till he re-
quired his plate to be changed!
Philip rang the bell. The teacups were left
on the table. His bell remained unanswered.
He rang again. 1t was still unnoticed. Then
he angrily went down into the hail, and found
the door ajar. He called to the servants in the
kitchen for Mary. The housemaid appeared.
''Please, sir, she's gone out moment to post
what at this time of night?'
at was most particular; her mother be
dreadful Porely, sir, and Mary do take on about
go to bed-lock up" ordered Philip; and he
stood in the hall while the frightened domes-
tics filed past.
Then he turned down the gas and returned
to the drawing room. He would hear Mary
when she came in by the hall door, and would
at once give her her dismissal
He sat waiting. Here was fresh trouble
come on him, through his wife's absence. He
would have to see that his servants were kept
He had hardly resumed his Seat before ne
heard steps in the hall, and then on the stairs.
Certainly not the tread of Mary; not light, aud
not stealthy. but firm and ponderous.
What step could it be? Tomkins returning
to tell one of bis good stories, or to ask for
soda-water? He listened, and hesitated
whether to rise not 1t must be the step of
Tomkins; one else would venture to come
in at this time. The step was arrested at the
drawing-room door; then Philip stood up, and
as he did so the door was thrown open, and
Uncle jeremiah stood on the threshold. look
ing at him. He knew the old man at once,
though he was changed, and his hair white.
Philip" !" said Jeremiah. where isyOur Wlfef
Where is Salome?
Philip was too much astonished to answer.
Then said Jeremiah sternly: "Give an &C.
count of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be
no longer steward"
ITO be continued neIt Monddy.l