The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-11-11

As he came in q pale faced girl in a black
gown rose from the couch where she had
been lying and advanced to meet him.
you have come at last, Paul"
eyes, little one, and glad to see you
up and looking so jolly"
"The rehearsal was late, was it notT'
Later | should say it was. Couldn't
even get out to get some lunch"
Poor boyi That was tragical, I have
ordered dinner for 6 o'clock, so possess
your soul in patience until then. In the
mean time l have a bit Of news for you. y
Ferris threw off his coat and con-
fronted her. mot bad news, childy'
mo. On the contrary"
"Good news? All, that's something
novel and refreshing. Let's have it, my
good girl-pray, don't keep me in sus-
pcnse."
He seated himself by the fireside and
took off his gloves. looking across at his
sister with q somewhat cynical smile.
ITO begin with, who do you think
called here this afternoon"
Creditors"
"No.1
"Doctor"
"No..
my SOLICITOR
Wrong again-it was Margaret STAN
hope"
Ferris started and shaded his face
with his hand.
"Well," he asked, after a pause,
What did she want of your
"She was very kind, Paul; inquired
after you, and asked us both to an in
formal dinner on Thursday evening""
"And you acceptedy'
.Of course; I thought it would be a
treat. Surely you do not objectY'
II cannot object, Stella, if it would
give you pleasure. Yes. We will go if
fate SO wills it."
at was very kind in her, Paul. to look
us up. Don't you think SO? She has
only been in London a week"
Eyes, Miss Stanhope has always been
kind and condescending. Do you not
see, my child, that she would make
proteges of uss 1t is the fashion iowa
days to ~patronize beggarly musicians"
"Paul," Indignantly, sit is not like
you to be such a bear. What makes you
speak so? You know it is not true. How
could she p~atronize us? Why, we knew
her when she wore short dresses and
played with doll babies. There is no one
in the world SO good and beautiful as
Margaret Stanhope, and you know it.
And Paul.
"Wellg'
81 have sometimes fancied"-
A prolonged pause.
"Well, out with it. What have you
fancied:"
'.That she cares for you more than
otherwise than as a mere friend, l mean
There is an expression in her eyes when
she speaks of YOU
"Good heavensl Stella, you are raw
ing" interrupted Paul, springing up and
regarding her fiercely. II forbid you to
harbor such thoughts for a moment.
Miss Stanhope is as far removed from
me as If she were OF royal blood Evil
IDENTIFY you do not realize the difference
existing between an heiress and q penni-
less concert singer. p
"But Paul" interrupted Stella in her
turn, 'syou must not forget you are a
gentleman born, and cur families were
friends in the years gone by"
"a gentleman repeated Paul, disre-
garding the last clause in her sentence
.Yes, the son of an obscure curate, a
vagabond by adoption. And am I to
WOO dear Lady Disdain? Good Godl
You drive me madF'
Stella watched him blan3ly for n no
ment as he flung about the room, then
she threw herself ON the lounge and
burst into hysferical tears. Naturally
this brought him to his senses at once,
and he patted, and pctted. and scothed
and pacified until the storm was over.
II.
Thursday. the LIST Of October, dawned,
but it brought no prospect Of the Ferrises
dining at K~ensington-
There came instead a small note which
read as follows:
No. 10 sAIlsaURv STREET, Oct l.
Mr. Dean Miss SrAxnorE-My sister is so very
much worse to-day thst it win be impossible for Us
to dine at your honic this evening She desires
me to convey to you her regret and disappoint
nent Yours very sincerely
pAuL FElzfs.
Margaret received it at luncheon time.
and after she had read it twice or thrice
she turned to her huge mastiff who was
sitting bolt upright beside her, and thus
addressed him: Christopher, / am
afraid your sex is hopelessly obtrse.
Now, what would you think Of a letter
like that coming from an individual
whom you had known in childhood, had
played with and squabhled with hun
drcds Of timesss