The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-12-03

Their presence was never moro well
come, for the widow was secretly long
ing for change Of sceno. while Armida
had openly expressed the same desire.
It was about an hour after dinner OF
the day on which they returned. MIR.
Wilcox was up in the parlor relating his
useless adventures and fruitless chase
after the innocent Cuban to Mrs. Delaro,
and Armida was keeping Percy Lovel
company while he smoked cigar on
the piazza. The two last named sat
near to an open window Of the ball
room, and, as they talked, watched the
couples who were already assembling to
take part in the German that evening.
During the interval which had
elapsed since Percy met Mr.. Wilcox in
San Francisco the Englishman had
grown quite stout and had very much
improved his appearance by cultivating
O beard.
As he sat near to the lovely girl to-
night no one would have remarked that
there was great disparity OF age be-
tween them-that is to say the fact
would not have struck casual observer
very forcibly.
Percy had grown into a handsome,
broad-chested man, and possessed q
healthy appearance which denoted that
he had forsalfen most Of the foolish
ways OF his youth and was living as q
reasonable-minded man should do. He
was O pleasant and fluent conversations
alist, though he never unpleasantly OBJ
truded his opinions. Ho conducted
himself with that sang Jroid for which
most Englishmen are, for some reason
or other, said to be celebrated.
II he had any sorrows he never ex-
pressed them. Armida had tried once or
twice to get the affable secretary" to
give her an account OF some of his early
history, but she soon discovered her
questions panied him and now forebore
to touch upon the subject
Between Armida and Percy bond OF
friendship seemed to have been formed,
which, although the expression may be
considered stereotyped, is best de-
scribed as that OF an older brother to
sister.
They had long called each other by
their first names and had both drifted
into tho habit quito unconsciously and
in an unnoticoable, innocent manner
Percy had just finished his cigar and
they had each risen to promenade 4
littlo while before joining the older
people.
Just as they moved away Armida laid
her hand on Pcrcy's arm and said: do
you see that elderly gentleman stand
ing near the musicians?"
"The tall ono with the dark beard?"
asked Percy.
"Yes, that is tho man ! mean"
"Why?" said Percy. "Do you know
him?"
~ was introduced to him the other
evening and he has pestered mo with
attentions ever since. lie came here arst
tho day after you left for Now Orleans" "
as there any thing very unpleasant
about his attentions?" was Percy's next
question.
Decidedly so. lie is a man toward
whom formed dislike at first sight
and besides, he dyes his beard. Some
how / never could like a man whose
beard was black all over except at the
roots"
"You must be Of an ultra-observing
nature" remarked Percy.
THAT is one Of the things any woman
will OBSERVE" was the reply. Then she
continued: "IIis attentions are the
moro Objectionable because they are SC
marked. We're he 10 soc me now he
would be out here in a moment asking
me to dance. / really imagine, II the
truth were known, that no is at an age
when dancing is ono OF tho last things
which would be expected OF him"
"Who is ho?' asked Percy.
"Ho was introduced to me as Mr..
limerick, and no volunteered tho In
formation that no is engaged in the
shipping trado with South America.
His place OF business Is in New York,
believe"
Percy had been intently watching
Mr.. limerick during tho conversation
and was getting interested.
SIS he ar Americana" he now asked.
mo, he not, but 1t would be difl-
cult to tell what his nationality really
is. Ho speaks perfect English, but there
is just touch OF foreign accent in his
speech Myself, l should Judge him to
be Italian"
"Do tho people who introduce you tc
him know any thing OF his history"