Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-03-09

cumstances or dlning IN MS rloIrg dress, ana
sat next to Madge, contentedly slipping his
wine and listening to the pleasant chatter
which was going on around him Felix Roi-
lesion was in great spirits the more SO as
Mrs Rolleston was at the further end of the
table hidden from his view by an epergne of
fruit and flowers Julia Featherweight sat
near Mr. Frettlby. and chatted to him SO
persistently that he wished she would be-
come possessed OF dumb devil DIR Chin
ston and Paterson were seated on the other
side of the table, and the old colonist. whose
name ives Valpy. had the post of houor on
Mr. Frettlby's right hand The conversation
had turned onto the subject, ever green and
fascinating. OF politics. and Mr. Rolleston
thonght 1t good opportunity to air his
views US to the government of the colony,
and to show his wife that he meant to obey
her wish and tecome power in the political
world
"By Jove, you know" he said, with wave
of his hand. though he we're addressing
the house. the country is going to the dogs,
and all that sort OF thing What we want is
a man like Beaconsted"
"Ahl tut you can't pick upa man like that
every day" said Frettlby, who was listening
with all amused smile to Rolleston's disquis
tions
Rather a good thing. too" observed Dr.
Chinston, dryly Genius would become too
common
"Wel. when | am elected. said Felix, who
had his own views, which modesty forbade
him to publish on the subject of the coming
colonial Dlsraeli. II will probably form a
party"
40 advocate whatr' asked Paterson, curl
ously
"Oh. well. you see." hesitated Felix, IL
haven't drawn up programme yet, SO can't
say at present"
"Yes, you can hardly givea performance
without programme, said the doctor, TAX
ing sip OF wine, aud then everybody
laughed.
"But you nave never gone LII for politics,
MIR Frettlbyr' said Rolleston
"Wbos-I-no." said the host, rousing him
self out OF the brown study into which he
had fallen I'm afraid I'm not sufficiently
patriotic. and my business did not permit
me-"
And nowF"
Now" echoed Mr. FrettIby glancing at
his daughter II am going to travel"
'The lolilest thing out said Paterson,
edBtFiy Vie fieNcI SctS ucu VI ScciuS tuo
queer things there are in the world"
"lve seen queer enough things in Mel
bourne IN the early days said the old col
onist, with wicked twinkle in his eyes.
"Ohr cried Julia, putting her hands up to
her ears don't tell me them, for I'm sure
they're naughty"
"We weren't saints them" said Old Valpy.
with senie chuckle
then we haven't ctanped n1pch in
that respect" retorted Frettlby, dryly.
you talk Of your theatres now," went on
Vapy. with the garruiousDess Of old age.
"why, you haven't got a dancer like Ro
sanna"
Brian started on hearing this name again.
and he felt Madge's cold hand touch his
"And who was RosannaF' asked Felix,
curiously. looking up
"A dancer and burlesque actress" replied
Valpy. vivaciously nodiing his old bead.
"Such beauty, we were all mad about her
such hair and eyes You remember her,
Frettlbyf
"Yes," answered the host, in curiosly dry
voice.
As the conversation seemed to be getting
too much of the after dinner style, Madge
arose and all the other ladies followed her ex-
ample The ever polite Felix held the door
open'for them. and received bright smile
from his wife for what she considered his
brilliant talk at the dinner table. Brian sat
still and wondered why Frettlby changed
color on hearing the name-he supposed that
the millionaire had been mixed up with the
actress and did not care about being re-
minded of his early indiscretions-and, after
all, who doesl
"She was light as a fairy" said Valpy.
with wicked chuckfe.
what became of herr asked Brian, alb
ruptly.
Mark Frettlby looked up suddenly as Fits.
gerald asked this question.
"She went to England in 1885," said the
aged one "Pm not quite sure if it was July
or August, but it was in 1858"
"You will excuse me, VaIpy, but hardly
think that these "reminiscences of a ballet
dancer are amusing" said Frettlby. curtly,
pouring himself out glass OF wine "Let
us drop the subject"
When man expresses wish at his own
table it is hardly the proper thing for any
one to 60 contrary to 1t, but Brian felt
strongly inclined to pursue the conversation
Politeness, however. forbade him to make
any further remark, and he consoled himself
with the reflection that, after dinner, he
would ask old Valpy about the ballet dancer
whose name caused Mark Frettlby to exhibit
s,ish strong emotion. But, to his annoy
ance, when the gentlemen went into the
drawing room, Frettlby took the old colonist
of to his study, where he sat with him the
whole evening talking over old times
r,,rED