New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-16
H..
SOLITUDE A DEUX.

The cNQuisitclY tinted fairness of her complexion
might have been aided by art, or might not.
Cecil Farquhar certainly did not question II.
As matter Of fact il was not. Her luminous
eyes were full of the warm light, soft from the
shaded lamps. There certain Eastern
dreamncsS about the scene that was infinitely
delicious. Mrs Ferrcrs rose and put out her
hand.
All, Mr.. FarQuhar, this is so good of you
and / regret TO tell you thst you VIII have TO
submit To bcinS bored by this evening:
Colonel Anstey asked me 10 make his profound
apologies to You. He was 30 distressed. lie was
called away quite suddenly this afternoon on
business. II was too provoking, and he was
greatly disappointed
Not at an" said Young Farquhar ." don't
mind. | assure you-at least, mean, OF course---"
All. YES. l know. You mean, OF coursc. that
YOU are going to be very kind and make the best
To herself Mrs. Ferrers saying
Tom had reason. He generally has What
q pretty boy. and how Shy !"
Cecil Farquhar on his part was remarking:
" BY JOve she is splendid! But | say. ! wish
Anstcy was here. i am awfully frightened"
Al this moment little gong sounded, ana
dinner was announced
" And we must 20 down Indian file," said Mrs.
Ferrers. These stupid London stairs, You know.
50 narrow. Besides, she added 10 herself, " the
back OF my dress is one OF Corise's trumphs
They entered the diningroom. More red light
here, and more warm walls, and much massive
And You are going 20 be very good to me.
Mr.. Farquhar and sit AZ The foot and carve
Cecil Farquhar murmurcd his assent, and
+
MY brother met You abroad, I think Mr..
Farquhar and that is of itself such an intro
duction. isn't it, one gets 70 know people 50
well. | think, ont OF England.
Il think one does said Cecil Farquhar. re-
membering how Colonel Austcy had become suiii-
GENTLY intimate with him 10 borrow five pounds
on the first evening of their acquaintance 10
Colonel Austeys credit he II said, however, that
hat five pounds had been punctUally repaid
Yes, think one Goes
And yoa are very musical didn't you say Mr..
Farquhar?'
She knew that hc had not said So for he had
not made half-a-dozcn remarks since he arrived,
bat She felt that 10 put a little conversation into
his mouth was TO place things on friendly foot
"Oh. scarcely that Mrs Farrer--7
"Ferrers. suggested the lady, gently.
." beg your pardon said the young man, red
dcning slightly, beg your pardon, Mrs FcucrS
of course scarcely that. | admire immensely don't
yOu know. | am awfully fond of il and all that
/ can sit for hours and listen but ! don't do
little
Mr. Fcrrers smiled
The banjo" she said. " But how very nice
The Instrument Of the future. one hears 50
much about II. You have not got il with you?
No" he answered. II | had known--'
All, quel dommage You must come in some
afternoon about =, and il would be- real charity
you know, and be accounted 10 you for righteous
ness.
She laughed softly. and this bore very credit
able witness 10 her patience; for he was mRngllng
the poor fowl he pretending 10 carve cutting
little bit Of each breast and making the bird
look supremacy ridiculous. A. length dinner came
10 ali end. The discreet and smart parior-mad
had retired. and Mrs. FerrcrS ond Cecil Farquhar
sat Vls-a-VlS alone There had come pause
Mrs lcrrers broke it. d" must catch my own
eye She said with her soft laugh, for there
is no other lady 10 sign to. and must leave you
to your vine ] think there are some cigars on
| don't quite know where Tom puts his cigars
really well upon my word don't you know,
if may" began FarquAar
What, You prefer a cigarette Al; your
pretty manners, Mr.. Farquhard AOu would save
me al trouble. And now will leave yon. And
don't desert me altogether, or | shall really have
to come down and fetch you'
" 1t is strong magnet said l'arQuhar slowly
ana WIN H'llc IatIh at MS own noldnG,s ior
/ normal conversation, that can keep needle
from loadstOnc.
Indeed yes thought Mrs Fcrrers to herself.
for She was far from Wantlu-'iu lollc However,
she shook her head pIcttIly and said, You must
not tiattcr me, \lr. Farquhar yet
Then she went mp 10 the drawing room.
" He IS dear boy. She said 10 herself, "and
! should not mind marrying him bit, but |
would not trap him for worlds
Downstairs. between the slow puhs OF his
| cigarette Cecil FaTquhar was saying 70 himself
BY love- don't you know, she Is maguii oent--
| she is
And lie helped himself 10 Colonel Ansteys
! wellchoscn vine and looked around the artistic
room with It's hrick-colorcd walls and little oak
| and carthenwarc which the widow and her
{ brother knew 50 well how 10 choose.
Regarded more closely, Cecil tarquhar was not
| such a boy as a casual glance Suggested The
extreme h2htncss of his moustachc took away
/ from lis size, and made him look youn2ci than hc
! really was Had his c0loring been dark he would
have looked some years older. HIS head with il,
| clOsc-cTOppcd yellow hair, small and well
| shaped. His features and teeth were regular.
! his eyes blue and deep. In figure hc tail
and strongly built, with small hands and feet.
/ Women always admired him. II WAS a pity that
/ he was Shy, but I'm bis shyncss there was nothing
/ approaching 10 awkwardness nor any suspicion
! OF that sct-cOnsclOusnc,s which makes It's victims
/ try 10 avoid meeting the eyes Of those 10 whom
they are talking like guilty dogs caught in their
/ theft and consciencc-slrlcl<en.
In the dTawine-roo Mrs Fcrrcrs prepared u
new situation. She placed tiny bralier on one
of the little red tables amongst the palms. and
| She ,c' fire 60 a pastile. The faint fumes Of
/ incense now rose and filed the room with "A
/ dreamy Eastern aroma. Then she set the bamboo
curtains swinging, and they made soft jingling
that WAS infinitely soothing After that She sat
down al the piano.
by Joyc,' SAID Cecil Farquhar, throwing the
end of his cigarette into his iingerglass and crush
ing up his napkin b" She can play-shc cam"
/ And then hc went upstairs
No let them swing" said Mrs Ferrcrs as he
| caught the swaying strings of beads and bamboo
to still them" let them swing, the sound sootles
/ But. ] say. Mrs. FeIrers, please don't stop
| playing. Ii drew me up don Sou know"
| Like the magnet that was stronger than a
/ loadstone eh 30 said Mrs. Fcrrers. laughing "but
/ yOu have spOlt your pretty speech. ] had been
| rather fancying after what you sad that IL was
/ | VINO was Going 10 draw YOU up, ms YOU call
it, and after all it turns out TO be only my
/ playing"
ION, ! say, Mrs. FerreIS, don't be hard on me, y
said Farquhar. Upon my word meant, don't
! you know"
Everything that nice: l know you did,
( Mr. Farquhar Very well, IL 90 on playing,
shall |? and you viii sit on that chair-that one
with the skins on it, DO try 1t. Il is 50 com
Portable. dare say YOU will 90 to sleep.
lie Law back the uncovered chair, with
his hands in his pockets and his long legs crossed.
The dreamy waltz floated softly through the room.
| The fumes Of the pastille fingered family on the
air The bead AMI bamboo strings swung ever
gently and more gently. Presently they were
held aside, and Mrs Ferrcrss smart maid brought
i'm tc1.
/ Which you must drink" said Mrs. Fcrrcrs.
We rather pride ourselves on our tea-dOn't we,