Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-10

stern OF the gig, while her nephew put out
the sculls. When they were well ont Of
hearing, Mrs. Ellison said-with q curious
look in her eyes of perplexity and hall
frightened amusement
''Vin, who is that old man?"
"Well, you saw, aunt" he made answer.
"Oh, yes, saw. I saw. But am none
the wiser 1 could not make him out at all.
i Sometimes thought he was selfconceited
old donkey, who was simply gabbling at
random; and again he seemed really to be-
lieve what he was saying, about his con-
nection with those Beatons and de Bethunes
and the Scotch kings. But there's some
thing behind it all, Vim; tell you there is;
4 and can't make it out. There's something
mysterious about him"
"There's nothing mysterious at allr' he
exclaimed impatiently.
"But who is he them" she persisted.
"What is he? Where is his family? Where
are his relatives?
"I don't think he has any, if it comes to
that, except his granddaughter" " her nephew
| replied.
"what does he do then? How does he
existP'
He was beginning to resent this cross-ex-
animation; but yet he said civilly enough
| IT am not in the habit of making inauir-
| les about the income of every one meet;
but understand they have some small sum
of money between them-not much; and
then he has published books, and he writes
for the Edinburgh Weekly Chronicle. Is that
| enough?"
"Where does he live?"
"Jn Mayfair"
'sI don't believe word of it." she said,
| and she even ventured to laugh in a half
embarrassed way. 81 believe he dwells in a
cave-he is a troglodyte-he comes out at
| dusk-and wanders about with a lantern and
pickax. Really, when 1 looked at his
| shaggy eyebrows, and his piercing eyes, and
| his venerable beard, 1 thought he must be
some Druid come back to life again-or per-
| haps one of those mythical island doctors
| surviving from the fourteenth century,"
eat all events, aunt" Vincent said, with
an ominous distinctness of tone, "his age
and what he has come through might pro-
cure for him little respect. It isn't like
you to jeer and jibe simply because a man is
| old"
"My dear boy, I am not jibing and jeer-
| ingl" she protested. "I tell you am puz-
zled. There's something about that old man
can't make out"
Glow could you expect to understand
| anybody-in half an hours talk at Henley
Regatta" he said, Indignantly. 81 gave
you tine opportunity OF getting to know them
both, if you had come along this evening,
aware that either of them wants to conceal
anything. They are not ashamed of their
poverty. Perhaps the old man talks too
much; you, at least, pretend to find what he
said interesting. And MS for the girl, no
doubt she was silent; she isn't used to be
stared at and examined by critical and un-
sympathetic eyes"
The young widow elevated her brows;
here was something unexpected
"Vin Harris" she said, solemnly. "are
you quarreling with me because-because I
am not glamoured? Is it as bad as that?
If so, then I am extremely GLAD did not
accept your invitation Tor this evening.
am compromised tar enough already"
"What do you mean by compromised"
he demanded.
But just at this moment she had to call
to him to look out, for they had almost ar
rived at the Villeggiatura. He glanced
over his shoulder. pulled a stroke with his
right oar, shipped the other, and then, hav-
ing gripped the stern of the house boat, he
affixed the painter of the gig. and, letting
her back into the stream, returned to the
thwart he had occupied.
"I wish to ask you, aunt, said he, in
sufficiently stiff and formal tone, show you
consider you have been compromised
through meeting any friends OF mine"
"Oh," said she, half inclined to laugh,
yet little bit afraid to, don't ask me. It
isn't as serious as that-I mean, didn't
think vou would take it seriously. No
doubt it's all right, Vim, your choosing your
own friends, and have nothing to say
against them; only would rather you left
don't know your intentions"
"Supposing have none?" he demanded
again.
"Well, no one can say whatmay happen"
the young widow persisted; land should
not like to be appealed to-Now, now, Vim,
don't be so passionate iEhave I said
single word against your new friends? Not
one. fully confess that I'm a selfish and
comfort-loving woman, and don't wish to
be drawn into any family strife. There
may be no family strife? Very well; so
much the better. But my having no further
acquaintance with Mr.. Bethune and Miss
Bethune-my having no knowledge of them
whatever, for 1t practically comes to that
cannot injure them; and leaves me free from
responsibility. Now, don't quarrel with
me, Vim; for will not allow it; have been
talking common sense to you-but sup
pose that is what no man of 25 understands"
He hauled up the gig to the stern of the
houseboat, as an intimation that she could
step on board when she chose.
"There," said she, as she gave him her
hand in parting, 81 see I have offended you;
but what have said has been for your sake
as we'll as mine
Well. he was vexed, disappointed, and
little inclined to be angry. But all that
darkness fled from his spirit-he forgot all
about Mrs. Ellison's friendly monitions-
he had no care for any speculations as to the
future-when he was back again in the
White Rose, sitting by Maisrie Bethune, he
and she together looking abroad on the gay
crowd, and the boats, and the trembling
willows, and the slow-moving skies now
growing warmer with the afternoon sun.
Then, when the last of the races was over,
came dinner; and as twilight stole over the
river and the meadows, the illuminations
began, the rows of colored lanterns showing
one alter the other, like SO many fre-fies in
the dusk. Of course they were sitting out
side now-on this placid summer night-in
fairyland.
To be Continued Neat Sunddy.1