Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-08

old duenna, had conceived a deep and
most unfair distrust OF male sincerity,
She would admit no unmarried man within
her doors. The garden was enclosed BY a
high brick wall, so that no one could see the
beauty within, and when she walked out
her features were effectualIy hidden by a
dark blue veil. Even 1, the doctor, / lad
only been admitted to the house to attend a
sick maid.
''She may have skin disease" said Jack,
who had listened with interest.
"Her skin is as fair as lilyl'' said /, in-
dignantly.
''Ah, 1 like dark beauties-I'm fair"
with a supremely satisfied air and a little
swagger for the benefit of trio of small
boys. Jack would nave paraued before
travelling mOnkev if worthier spectators
were wanting. 'tThen you have seen her?'
Just glimpse" L curtly answered. The
occasion had been too notifying to be re-
called with pleasure.
Now" declared Jack, 'this is all nom
sense on the old lady's part. She invites
circumvention, and, Bob, we'll circumvent
her! This IS just a nice holiday task for
me. l haven't much work on hand just
now, and I'll devote myself to your interests
while [ recruit on the balmy shores of l.;
I'll storm the fortress and give you access
isn't that the proper word?-to this cons
cealed beauty. Leave it to me-" with a
grand gesture.
1 privately shook my head at the idea of
even Jacks being able to overcome the
obstacles in the way; vet 1 was excited at
the same time by the thought of such power
tul partisanship, for L had a confidence in
his luck which amounted to superstition.
He was already accommodating the wall, and
was anxious to draw him away, fearing lest
IL.
two steps down to a side door might suggest
a plan that had already brought me humili-
alton. Jack did glance at the place, but
appeared to see in 1t no possibilities.
Next morning, as L was returning from q
patient who lived outside the town, was
hailed by Mrs. Neville's gardener. ga
gentleman as says he's your brother, sir, has
met with an accident down them steps,
which he also says has sprained his foot
bad, and missis wants you to step in.''
The man was unfeeling enough to grin; as,
assuming every appearance of fraternal So
licitude, L fastened to the house, inwardly
cursing Jacks want OF invention
and painfully agitated at the pros
pect of facing the old lady. All, yes, she
was in the room! keeping grim and rigid
watch over my PROSTATE brother, who was
acting his part with consummate skill, even
contriving to call up very respectable pail
lor, to which my fiery visage must have pre-.
sented every essential for contrast.
"How dye do, DIR. Dalton?" said the old
lady, with a dsagreeable twinkle in her
deep eyes. singular thing, isn't 1t, how
those steps trip up strong men? No woman
has come to grief down them"
''It's i acknowledgement beg pardon,
ma'am-it's beastly awkward cornerl
You'll be prosecuted Tor a dangerous nuis-
ance or something if you don't protect it,
cried Jack angrly, grimacing and sguirm'
ing quite admirably. pray retire, madam,
and let my brother see to my injuries"
"Oh!-if YOU think the form OF an ex-
animation necessary" said the pleasant old
lady in a tone meant for me alone. Ring
for anything you shoGld want, DOCTOR" And
she sailed away.
Good heavens, Jackp' 1 burst out under
NV breath as soon as the door was shut.
why in the name OF all that's unlucky
couldn't you exercise some originality in
your plan?'
"Originality-I What the deuce do
you mean?"
''This-this is precisely what did only
two weeks ago."
Jacks eyes met mine. He was going of
into shout of laughter, but in time re-
membered to turn it into groan. He was
an excellent actor, always. Looking at his
eountenance and hearing his dis
NAL utteranees, L felt with renewed pangs Of
how inferior my own perform-
ance had been,
"Could anything be more unluekv? We
shall be the laughing stock of the placei
That old hag-"
"WilI you cut off nv boot and see to my
'oot?" yelled Jack.
Mechanically Obeyed, and my Jeremiads