Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-23
CHAPTER XXI.
ENLIGHTENMRNT.

left his hotel when he heard telegraph boy
whistling the air of ''Isabeau s'y promsne."
He went from one street to another, recog-
niEing this and that public building; the
polished marble pillars shining in the cold,
clear sunlight Then he walked away up
College avenue, and entered Queens Park;
and there, after some little delay, he OBJ
tanned permission to ascend to the top Of the
University tower. But in vain he sought
along the southern horizon for the cloud of
soft white smoke of which Msisrie had often
spoken; the distant Niagara was frozen mo-
tionless and mute. When he returned to
the mere frequeuted thoroughfares, the bus
ineSs life Of the city was now in full how;
nevertheless he kept his eyes on the alert;
even amid this hurrying crowd, the figure
of George Bethune would not readily escape
recognition. But, indeed, he was only seek
ing to pass the time, for he thought he
ought not to call on the banker before mid
day.
Mr.. Daniel Thompson he found to be q
tall, spare man, of we'll over 90, with short
white whiskers, face otherwise clean
shaver, and eyes that were shrewd and OBJ
servant, but far from unkindly. He
listened to the young mans tale with evil
dent interest
"And so you have come all the wsy across
the Atlantic" F" said he, "to look for my old
friend George Bethune and little Maggie9"
'Maggie?" repeated Vincent, somewhat
startled. "Maisrie, you mean?"
'Maisrie!' the banker said, with q certain
impatience. "Does he still keep up that
nonsense? The girls name is Margaret;
Margaret Bethune-surely a good enough
name for any ordinary Christian. But his
head is Just full of old ballads and stuff of
that kind; any fancy that strikes him is just
as real to him as fact; I dare say be could
persuade himself that he was intimately
acquainted with Sir Patrick Spens and the
Scots lords who were drinking in Dunferm-
line town"
''But in any case" Vincent protested (for
how could he surrender the name that was
SO deeply craven on his beartO "Maisrie is
only form of Margaret-ss Marjorie is-s
pet nams-'
"Msisriep' said the banker, contemptu-
ously. who ever heard of any human
creature being called Maisrie-Outside of
poetry books and old ballads7 1 warned
the little monkey many and many day
ago, when 1 first got her to write to me, that
she must sign her own name, or she would
see what would do to her. Well. how is
the little Omahussy7 What does she look
like now? A sly little wretch she used to
be-naking people fsnd of her with her
earnest eyes"
"I don't think you quite understand"
ssfd Vicent, who resented the familiar tone,
though in truth it only mean! an affection
ate kindliness. miss Bethune is no longer
the little girl you seem to imagine; she is
quite 8 young lady now and taller than
most"
THE little Omahussy grown up to be
tall young lady?" said be, in q pleased
fashion. eyes, yes, 1 suppose so. No
doubt. And tall, you say? Even when she
was here last she was getting on; but the
only photograph l have of her was done
long before that-wben she was hardly more
than u; and then IN an old bachelor, you
see; I'm not accustomed TO watch children
grow up; and somehow 1 remember her
mostly as when I first knew her-a shy
young thing, and yet something of little
woman in her ways. Grown up cookbook
ing, too, suppose?-both her father and
mother were handsome.
III you saw her now" said Vincent "I
think you would say she was beautiful;
though it might not be her beauty that
would take yout attention the most"
The elderly banker regarded this young
man for a second or so-and with a favoring
glance; he was clearly well impressed.
81 hope you will not consider me in
trusive or inpertinent if ask you ques-
L
George eBethune's-perhaps the Oldest alive
now, and besides that 1 have always re-
garded myself as a sort of second father to
the little N2rgaret-though their wander
ing way of life has taken her out of my
care. Now-don't answer unless you like
tell me TO mind my own business-but at
the same time one would almost infer, from
your coming over here in search of them,
that you have some particular interest in
the young Lady
'It is the chief interest of my life," said
Vincent, with simple frankness. "And
that IS why cannot rest until l find them"
Wei, now, one question more" the
banker continued. 81 don't wish to pry
into any young lady's secrets-but-but per-
haps there may be some understanding be-
tween her and you?'
81 hope so, said Vincent,
And the young wretch never wrote ma a
line to tell me of itp' Mr.. Thomson ex-
plained--but 1t was very obvious that this
piece of news had caused him no chagrin,
The little Omahussy grows up to be fine
and tail young lady; chooses her sweetheart
for herself; thinks of getting married and
all the rest Of it; and not a word to mel
Here is hlial gratitude for you! Why. does
she forget what / have promised to do for
herr Not that l ever said so to her; YOU
don't fill a schoolgirls head full of wedding
fancles; but her grandfather knew; her
grandfather must have told her when this
affair was settled between you and her
But here Vincent had to interpose and
explain that nothing was settled; that, un-
happily, everything was unsettled; and
further, he went on to tell of all that had
happened preceding the disappearance of
Malsrle and her grandfather. For this man
seemed OF kindly nature; he was an old
friend OF those two; then Vincent had been
very much alone Of late--there was no one
in Omaha n whom be could confde. Mr.
Thompson listened with close attention. and
at last he SAID:
81 can see that you have been placed in a
very peculiar position; and that you have
stood the test very well. The description OF
nv old friend Bethune that your father put
before you could be made to look very plausi-
bic; and imagine that most young men
would have been staggered by IT, 1 can
Eancy that good many young men would
be apt to say, Like grandfather, like grand
daughter'-and would have declined TO have
anything to do with either. And yet 1
understand that, however doubtful or puz-
zled you may have been, at least you never
had anv suspicion Of Margaret?''
"Suspicion?" said Vincent. ''Of the girl
whom l hope to make my wife? I need not
answer the question"
MIR. Thompson gave a bit of laugh, in a
Quiet, triumphant manner.
Evidently nv little Omahussy had her
ewes widely and wisely open when she made
her choice" said be, apparently to himself.
"But she hes not made her choice" Vim |
rent had to explain, in rather Respondent |