Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-17

know that Vim has always been a Quixoti,
kind of chap-doing impossible things if b,
thought them right-and all that sort o.
thing. But it's very awkward Just at thi.
moment There must be some powerful at
traction, of one kind or another, to have
made him give himself over so completely
to these new friends; for he has not beer
near me of late; and yet here in nv pocket
have letter that concerns him very closely,
if only he would pay attention to it ]
don't mind telling you, Mrs. Ellison, fol
you are discretion itself"
81 think you may trust me, Lord Mussel-
burgh, she said, with smile.
Every we'll, then" said be, lowering his
voice. 81 hear that there will be vacancy
at Mendover-certainly at the next general
election, but more probably much sooner;
old Gosford has become such q confirmed
hypochondriac that he will hardly leave his
room; and his constituents are grumbling as
much as they dare-for he has got money,
you know, and the public park he gave
them wants further laying out, and statues,
and things. Very well; now 1 have in my
pocket a darkly discreet letter from the
committee of the Mendover Liberal Asso-
citation asking me to 60 down and deliver
an address at their next meeting, and hint
ing that if could bring with me an accept
able candidate"
He paused, and for a second a cynical but
perfectly goOd-humOred laugh appeared In
his eyes.
''My dear Mrs Ellison" said he, "I am
deeply grateful. 1 thought you might ex-
press some astonishment st my being con-
suited in so important an affair. But the
fact is, ], also, am expected to do something
for that park; and perhaps this invitation
was only little hint to remind me of my
local responsibilities. However, that is how
the case stands; and had thought of taking
your nephew down with me"
"a vacancy at Me1dover," said Mrs.
Ellison, in awe-struck tones, "vhere you
are simply everybody Oh, Lord Mussel-
burgh, what u chance for Vinr'
"And then, you know" continued the
young peer, 81 want to bring him out as
Tory Democrat, for that is fine, hewilder-
ing sort of thing, that provokes curiosity:
you call yourself Tory and can be as revo-
lutionary as you like, so that you capture
votes all round. Why, I've got Wins pro-
gramme all ready for him in nv pocket;
graduated income tax, free education, lease
hold enfranchisement compulsory Insur-
ance, anything and everything you like ex-
cept disestablishment - disestablishment
won't work at Mendover. Now, you see,
Mrs. Ellison, if could get Vim properly
unhsppily lack; and after had made nv
few little jokes which they kindly take for
q speech, 1 could produce him and say
Here, now. is the young politician of the
new generation; here's your coming man;
this is the kind of member the next quarter
of a century must return to the House of
Commons. But if there is any Delilah in
the way"
Mrs. Ellison crimsoned.
''No, Lord Musselburgh, she said. mo.
You need have no fear"
However, she seemed NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
in her anxiety that her nephew should not
miss this great opportunity. Presently she
said:
'Tell me, what do you know of this old
man?-I can't make him out at ALL"
81? know nothing, or next to nothing"
he said, lightly, as be gazed abroad on the
busy river. 81 remember Vim asking me
the same question: suppose out of curl
osity about the girl. Ny recollection of her
is that she was extremely pretty-refned
looking-ladylike, in fact"
''She is, indeed" said Mrs. Ellison. with
decision, "and' that is what makes the situ-
alton all the more dangerous-assuming.o of
course, that there is any ground Tor ones
natural suspicious. No, Vim is the last
man in the world to be captured by auy
vulgar adventures; he is at once too fas-
tidious and too proud But then, you see,
he is well known to be the son of a yery
wealthy man; and there might be design" |
She hesitated for q moment; then she said.
half impatiently: Lord Musselburgh. tell |
me how you came to know this old man; he |
could not have sprung out of the earth all of
a sudden"
''Oh. that can tell you easily enough"
he said, with much equanimisy." To begin
with, he brought letter of introduction to
me from an enthusiastic countryman of |
mine in America-that is to say, if NAV |
make so bold as to claim Scotland as NV |
country, for I hadn't the proud honor and |
of being born there; and this friend |
of mine, who is the editor of the Western |
Scotsman, recommended the old gentle
man to me, and said he had several literary
projects in mind, that q brother Scot |
meaning me, / presume-might be inter
ested in. Besides that, had heard of the |
Bethune case-it was famous law suit in
the North couple of generations or more |
ago; and was prepared to do what little |
could for the old man, who, understood.
wasn't very well of. confess was rather
when he called; his appearance,
his selEimportance, and the way he talked
was certainly unusual. / have always had
q sort of impression that man who could
recite poetry to another man, without
must be either maniac or
> mountebank; but this old gentleman could
pour out screeds of Scotch verse apparently
with perfect sincerity and pride. Well,
that was ALI"
THAT was alp" she repeated, eyeing him
'hrewdly.
YES"
"You are sure?''
hat do you mean? That is really ALL
Know OF the old gentleman; isn't that what
7ou asked?"
"But was that the whole of the interview,
T may be SO impertinent as to inquire?''
he demanded again.
"Oh, yes, it was," Lord Musselburph
aid; and then he added, indifferently: "Of
ourse subscribed something toward the
of book he mentioned had
written to me before about the project"
"Oh, there was money!" she said quickly.
A slight tinge on Lord Musseiburgh's
orehead showed that he had not intended to |
make this admission.
''Oh, uothing-a trife-it is usual when
ook is coming out by subscription
Mrs. Ellison sat silent for a little while;
here was plenty going on on the river to
interest her companion. Then by-and-by
be said slowly:
'Wel, 1 had intended to keep clear of
hese new friends of Wins 1 thought it |
'ould be more prudent for me to know
othing. 1t is true, was introduced to
hem yesterday afternoon; but wished that
, be all; l thought 1 would rather with
raw, and let things take their course. But
don't know that that would be honest and
ght Vim is young man with many fine
nd noble qualities-perhaps a little too
ne and noble for the ordinary work-a-day
'orld; and think he ought to have the ]