Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-16
BEAUTY" FALKNER.

The aspiring young men of her acquaintance
had bitter habit OF calling her "Lollipop"
among themselves in intensest sarcasm. Be-
cause she was tall above the average height Of
woman with hair and brows straight and black
as an Indians and a naughty, fine, cruelty
clear-cut face; because she bore herself with
the complete nonchalance of a woman of the
world, though she was only nineteen, and.
lastly because her father was the possessor OF
. cool million at least and she had all and sew
orally refused these her admirers
The statuesaue austerity Of Miss Falkner's
beauty was relieved somewhat BY . constant
languid flush in her cheeks as though she
suffered eternal boredom from the attentions
Of those about her, and a voice OF the sweetest
tones, also adapting itself to this same privilege
OF infinite leisure, and frequently pausing be-
fore completion of a sentence, thus intimating
shat the easy abstraction of her own thoughts
held more charms for her than the countenance
of the most animated listener. Her eyes were
expressive, and, in fact, were not infrequently
used by her to save the necessity of ether
speech.
fered considerably in the training of his only
child If anything in the course Of that per-
turbed history could have conquered his aver
sion to marrying again 1t would have been the
hope of sharing mutually with some intelli-
gent human being in the responsibility Of Miss
Falkners safe and accomplished launching
into wOmanhoOd.
He loved her with a fatherly intensity. and
he had employed nurses, companions and gov
ernesses not q few. Miss Falkner was now
supposed to be profoundly educated. and she
launched on the selectest wave of
social eminence; nevertheless the syntax and
photography she had employed in the occa-
siOnal letters she had written her father in his
absences had filed him with dismay. and he
still tremblingly doubted whether, if his
proud offspring should once decide to take
the bit In her teeth, all the combined forces he
could bring to bear on the question could pre-
vent disaster and a runaway.
But there was one person in whom he had
absolute confidence-Hiram W. Spauding. IT.,
founder of the Spaulding Steel and Iron Works,
Spsuldingvilie. Richer men than he had pro-
posed for Beauty" Falkner's hand, but the
father had detected In Hiram qualities of men,
tai acuteness, stability and promising financial
growth far outweighing. to his mind, the pos
session of thousands more IN the hands of ordi-
nary individuals or pampered spendthrifts.
And Hiram was not only keen and money wise;
he was generous in the right place and pro-
foundly honorable. Dir. Falkner loved him,
cOnfided in him as companiOnaoly as though
he had been twenty years nearer his own age
and. above all. implicitly relied upon him to
Fevengefully called "Lollipop."
How he could consistently reconcile his love
for Hiram with this earnest conviction that he
must and should marry Kate may not at first
appear, but he knew that Hiram was deeply in
love with her and that there were as good iron
and steel in the young mans nature any in
Spauldingville. He had an instinct grave as
q voman's that il would be happy match and
that il should soon be brought about. The
only obstacle in the way was Besutv's own de-
tarr1inatIOD which thOnOh not rnliahIe AL
ways the Spauldingville iron, had the more
Immediately disastrous and inflammable quail
ties of gunpovder. And ii must be confessed
that. from an ideal and artistic point OF view.
Hiram was not at all a worthy parti. He had
been the most muscular man IN his class. but
his height only slightly above Hates
own. He was usually several seasons behind
IN the style of his coats and trousers. which
then appeared striking only by their modera-
Gon. He had rugged face, devoid in every
feature Of fine chiseling, and he had stout
caprice for trimming his own mustache. Kate
naturally shuddered at the thought of any ap-
proach to that bristling member. Though col
lege bred. he was not nearly SO gifted in the
wardlv silent. with his hands in his pockets.
He was not in the least interesting.
Have YOU ever really proposed to her,
Hiram" said Mr.. Falkner, eagerly.
Eyes, said Hiram TO Beauty's father. between
his strong white teeth, without other embar-
Hassment than manly blush.
What did she saw Or-a-rather, how did
she act-behsve, Hiram
She was seated near the window. She con-
Enued gazing out"
Did you repeat the question:
Il did. sir. She laughed little and looked
at me-she has handsome eyes. by JoveI-and
then she said, In that slow, exasperating way
of hers, Imagine me marrying a man named
Hi-Hi-Hiram Spaul-' There she paused
and became lost in the view. 'Spaur simply
and gazed out of the window as though had
ceased 10 exist.
We'll. well! Why didn't you up and say,
You shall marry a man by the name Of Spaul.
egadl or amy other name that happens to be
mine? That's the way, Hiram. l know-I
know"
Hiram shook his head "She would not have
heard She is even more accomplished
in gazing indifferently out of the window
when occasion requires than she is in the art
OF penmanship.
Both men laughed sadly and.appreciativeIy at
this solemn joke between them.
Lord exclaimed the elder, presently; ~
don't know what she's been up to. She can't
wrlte-or read either, for aught know. She's
been too much for EN-. / suspect. Hiram" said
he. very sadly. Il suspect Hates been pretty
full of the devil"
well" he replied; but added, ''She can ride
better"
"You shall marry her and make a good
woman OF her, Hiram. You shall marry her,
OF no man: tnat5 decided Wen have no
foreign nobleman. or native roue. or fancy
pauper business. mark my words"
Yes, I'll marry her." said Hiram, reflect
lively, stroking his rhorny mustache with a
supple thumb and finger. Meantime let her
enjoy the landscape"
The landscape about Port Holway was GER
tainly worthy Of close regard at this season
Mr.. Falkner had come here to his newly
erected cottage, bringing horses and servants
enough for Miss Hates domineering pleasure.
Her chief victim was Mrs. Hills, the worthy in
dlvidual who was expected always to account
for her punctually on papa's return from the
city. James, the groom, was never to fail to
accompany her in her expeditions about the
country on horseback and Mrs. Hills was not
TO fail 70 keep an eye on her in her walks and
swimming excursions along the beach, for the
country was wild and Kate was both beautiful
and daring.
James always saddled for himself the better
horse. and had no difficulty in keeping up
Mrs Hills was not so fortunately situated, and
her daily food was mixed with many a pang Of
uneaslness and terror. She considered Kate
Falkner, and with reason, the most cruel and
impish girl she had ever known. Ii had been
Hates pastime from infancy to elude the vigi-
lance of those who only wished to take of
her. and she treated all dependents alike
cavalerly
I'm going out for a sail Hills, I'm going
nshing. she called back against the wild
breeze blowing, to the painting and struggling
Mrs Hills