Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-28
mon him that he had undertaken task en-.

upou him that he had undertaken task en-
tirely beyond his knowledge. For example,
he could purchase any quantity Of crimson
satin; but how or where was he going to get
it made up into a coverlet, or counterpane,
or Quilt, or whatever the thing was called?
Then supposiug he had the mirror and the
lace, who was going to put the lace round
the top Of the mirror?-he could not do it
himself. A little set of ornamental book
shelves he could buy, certainly; but how
was he going to ask for the bows of ribbon,
or the silk drapery, or whatever it was
that ought to adorn the brass rods
at the head of the bed? The more
he considered the matter the more
clearly he saw that he must consult a
woman, and the only woman he could con-
suit in confidence was his aunt, Mrs. Eli
son, who had now returned to Brighton.
And perhaps he strove to conceal from him
self what il was that SO easily and natural
" drew his thoughts to Brighton; perhaps
he was hardly himself aware how this secret
hunger of the soul was minute by minute
and hour by hour increasing in its de-
mands. Maisrie had not been so long away;
but already ne felt that one brief glimpse of
her, no matter at what distance, would be q
priceless thing. And then again 1t would
rot be breaking any compact He would
not seek to go near her, if there was this un-
derslanding that these two were for the pres
ent separated the one from the other. She
would not even know be was in the town.
And surely it would be new and wonderful
experience 10 look at Maisrie from afar on,
ss if she were stranger.
So instead OF going to Recent street he
went to the nearest postotice and tele-
graphed to Mrs. Ellison, asking if she could
take him in for a day or two. Then he
walked on home and by the time he had
reached Grosvenor place the answer was
there awaiting him; he was to go down at
once He put a few things in his bag,
Jumped into a hanson and drove to Vic
toria station, caught the 4:30 train, and
eventually arrived at Brunswick terrace
about g. He guessed that his aunt's alter
noon visitors would be gone, and he would
have ample opportunity of long talk with
her before dinner.
His anticipations proved correct When
he was shown into the big drawing room
which looked very snug and warm amid Its
magnifcence-he found the tall and bright
eyed Young widow in sole possession; and
she came forward to welcome him with great
complsisance.
VERY sensible of you, Vim. You know
can always make room for you, no mat
ter who is in the house"
'If had gone to a hotel aunt, you would
have made an awful row, and l don't want
to quarrel with you just at present; the fact
is, have come to you for advice and help"
said he. but frst-my congratulations
was hardly surprised when got your let
ter; and l am sure no one can WISH you
more happiness than do"
"Oh, be quiet" she said, and she took
seat at a little distance from the fire, bv the
side of a small table, and put fan between
her ewes and the crimson-sbaded lamp.
Congratulations? Well, 1 suppose there
are no fools like old fools. But if grown-up
people will play at being children, and
amuse themselves by writing things in the
sand-did tell you how it all happened?-
they must take the consequences. And l,
who used to be so content! Haven't l often
told YOU? Perhaps boasted too much"
''Oh, yes. pretend you regret it!' said he.
"And you talk of your being so old-you!-
why what girl of your acquaintance has
half your lite and spirit, or half your good
looks, either"
Vincent Harris" said she, and she turned
round and faced him, what do you want?"
He laughed.
''It is a very simple matter, aunt"
And then ne began to tell her ot the little
predicament in which he was placed; and TO
beseech her help. Would she come and
choose the things for him? There were
plenty of brc-a-brac shops in Brighton; she
would know what was most appropriate; her
own house WIS evidence of her taste. But
his ingenious f1attery was of no avail. Mrs.
E4lison's face grew more and more serious,
u.Ii at length she exclaimed:
"Why, Vim, this is the very maddess of
infatuationl And had been hoping for far
other things. l had imagined from the tone
of your last letter that perhaps there might
be change-that your eyes had been opened
at LAST. So this is going on just the same as
ever?"
SIT is going on, as you call it, aunt; and
is likely to 90 on-so long as / live"
"TheD L, for one, wish to have nothing to
do with it, she said, sharply. And this
last proposal is really too audacious. What
business have you with that girls room?-
what right have you to go into it?''
He was rather taken aback-for a mo-
ment
"Business?-oh, none of course None
whatever-that is to say-oh, yes, have,
thought have a perfect right to go into
IL. The room is not hers. 1t is mine. I
have paid for it. When she comes back it
will be hers; and where is the harm of her
finding it a little prettier?-that is all.''
81 must say, VIM" she continued, in a
Verv reserved ashton, that the infatuation
OF a Young man may excuse good deal; but
this is littie-a little too much. Do you
consider it quite nice-quite becoming? A
satin counterpanei l wonder what the girl
would think herself-if she has any refine
ment of ieeling-if she has any delicacy-'
His face grew very pale
"'If she has any refinement of feeling-if
she has any delicacy,'" he repeated.
Then be rose.
1T is useless to say anything further,
aunt; there is an end this time"
But she had risen, too. He tried to pass
ber-and failed; nay, she went to the door,
and stood with her back against it, and
faced him.
No, you shall not CO." she said. "whv
should there be any dissension? You are
my own dear boy; l would do anything for
you-except in this one erection"
Except in this one directionr' he re-
peated, scorniullv.
why cannot we remain friends?' she
said, with appealing eyes, ''good and true
fGiends-and agree to leave this one subject
alOne2'
This one subject-that is nv lifep' ne
said, vehemently. What folly you talkl
You wish to cut away the very thing / live
for, the very thing that is my lie; and to
continue your friendship with what remains
"a senseless stick or stone! And why? Be-
cause OF your insensate prejudice, your cruel
and baseless suspicious. Why do you talk
to me as if were bov? / have seen twice
as much OF the world as you have; have
had better opportunities of learning how to
Judge strangers. But yOu-you live in
narrow grOoye-you have your maid to talk
tO-yOur acquaintances call in the alter
nUon-your friends to dinner-and what be-
sides? That is your world. What do you
know OF the human beings outside it?
Must they ali be dishonest-because they
hatT q hoo hoar 3 H. IL -