The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-21

plum. For this excess Of confidence he was
not greatly TO be blamed, seeing the ready
ear which the American heiress gave to him
whenever he addressed her. lie did not
imagine that he was being judicially
weighed In the balances, and that debtor
aud creditor account of his virtues and de.
fectS was being kept in the girls mi q.
The easy terms of intimacy into which
they fell and the graciOusness with which
Miss Coffin welcomed Sir Reginald's ap-
proaches were Witnessed by the countess of
northampton with unmixed satisfaction
Every hing, she thought, was pre- spe ing as
she wished. She felt such confidence in the
success Of her brothers. wooing that she
could not refrain from endeavoring to en-
list MISS Collins sympathies In her scheme
Tor introducing Sir Reginald into political
life.
The American heiress had been at Alver-
thorpe several days, when one evening, be-
fore the gentlemen Joined the ladies after
d!hner, she found herself enaged in tete-a-
tete with the countess.
II wanted to have cosy chat with vou,n
the latter eaid, when they were out of ear
shot. II have a great plece of news. Mr.
Denvers, the member for MIlloorough, IS
dead, and Lord Polehampton and are most
anxious that Reginald should offer himself
as candidate for the vacant seat 1t would
| be so nice to see him in the House
II suppose it would" said Miss Coffin,
doubtfully, as Lady PolehamptOn paused in
expectation OF a reply, not knowing what
else to say.
II am glad you think so. I was confident
that you would agree with me- and think
| you eau help me to bring it about said
| Lady Northampton, in buoyant tone, salts
fed that she was breaking the ice AID pre-
pairing the way for Sir Reginald.
II do not think understand YOU said
| Miss Coffin gtuili Sxwaatlv GtTt would ha
a eat pleasure to serve you in any way,
but how can | assist your
! Thanks. | knew you would. So nice of
you. You see. Reginald has given very
little attention to politics, and naturally
| feels very great difficult in coming forward
in these exciting times. 1t is SO dreadful to
be 'heckled' By electors, you know" she
| added, in explanation.
NJ IS Coffin answered with a look Of intel
| lgence, whilst an amused smile played
| round the corners 81 her mouth.
"What l thought, Gear, was this the
countess continued, that you might
speak to him and urge him to come for
| ward" .sss,.J, -.s-
"Meg" exclaimeis Miss Coffin, needless of
grammar in the surprise that oYercame
her.
Eyes, you dear. Do speak to him. You
have more influence over him than all of
us put together" the countess continued.
at is 80 imp rtant that he should shake off
bis iuertnesS. The best Of men are apt to
get a little selfish if they have nothing to
occupy them outside the sphere of their own
| interests"
81 should have imagined that Sir Regi-
maid C MD have found plenty TO do at Al
verthorpe in 10 king after the interests Of
his tenants to exclude seltishness."
mo doubt you are right, dear. He makes
an excelle L landlord, but there is nothing
like TAXI z an interest in the larger affairs
of the empire for taking man out of HIM
self. 1t appeals to the Imagination, you
know, and that is gceat thing for pre-
venting and keeping off the narrowness of
the parochisl mind and the selfishness that
is inevitable to q man whose range is Inn
tied"
It occurred to Theresa that this was some
thi like sophistry, though for a moment
SIZE could hardly place her finger on the I'M
derlying fallacy. She only felt that # a
sedulous attention to politics was req tired
to save man from parochial mindedness,
and the seldsnneSs which that entailed, the
rest of mankind 10 whom such an exclusive
devotion 10 political affairs was impossible
were in par!ous state. Bus she was too
considerate toward Lady PolehamDton to
hi t at this objection.
do you think that man who has not
taken an interest in political affairs is quail
fed to be iegislaterg' she asked.
"WeIl, no, perhaps not a legislator, but
he can vote tight, you know, and
that is the main thing." returned tue coun-
tess, confidently.
But isn't that rather dreadful" said
Miss Coffin hesitating, ''to vote without IN
Outstanding why you voter
"Oh, as for that will see that Reginald Is
kept straight until he knows how to walk
alone. You will speak TO him, desrg' muir
INJURED the countess, pleadingly-
81 am afraid you overrate my irfluence,"
said Miss q offil, with low musical laugh.
"There differ from you. A wish from
you would be equivalent to command
with Reginald"
(Which makes my responsibility the
heavier" returned Miss Coffin. with a
smile. Nevertheless. will speak to Sir
Reginald, as you seem to ~ish IT,"
"Here he comes said Lady Polehampton
as Sir Reginald appeared with the rest Of
the gentlemen, bringing up the rear;
A few minutes later Sir Reginald, acting
on hint from mis- sister, had con rived to
lead Miss Coffin into the conservatory on
pretexJ of showing her q new plant that he
| had procured at great expense.
Eyes, it is very beautiful" she said, adj
mring the lovely bloom on the rare exot C,
shut you take an interest in graver matters
than these Politics, for instancep
| That Is where am dencleDC, balu Dir
Reginald, frankly. "Politics bore me.
What is the good of frettng yourself to
| f1ddle-sirings merely to help set OF greedy
| place-men into Officer
mo god at all in that should say" re-
piled Miss Coffin, with touch Of contempt
In her tone. But sIrely there are higher
ends to serve than that. II seems to me
that man who took up public business
with the pure aims Of patriot might find
abunda { opportunity to serve his country.
Why should you not do your duty as other
me in your position DOR
"Perhaps ] am 20 blame," said Sir Reg
inald with an air OF humility. "My sister
wishes ms TO contest q seat that is now va
cant II you wish 1t also will yield to the
! pressure"
Sir Reginald threw so much significance
into his tone that Miss @ filn could not
fleet 70 B1isunderstapd him. She found
herself on tie rns Of a dilemma; unable
| % beat a retreat without failing 10 nor
promise 70 Lady PolshanpGon, and unable
| ~ g0 forward lees she should hold out aopes
tnal could not b. graCned. Accordingly
shs iooA refuge Ia silsBeF.
II wOsld q even more taan that ~ win
/ your rfgeFd, e9ailnuea Sir Reginald -
] Mss Goflns gleDos fsii Tor m0ulegt bsfors