Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-27

finished speaking. When the jewellers wer,
invited to re-enter the two front drawing
rooms chairs had been arranged for a cotil
Ion. Philip Lexington led the dance with
Mrs Van Santvoord, at Alonzo's request
Through the first figure the participants
imagined that it was only an impromptr
dance. But suddenly they were called
the first figure ended bouquets of the rarest
flowers had begun to circulate, and by
o'clock, when the final strains of the musi.
clans were sounding, jeweled fans had been
lavished on the ladies for favors and the
| gentlemen had received catseye scarfpins
set round with tiny pearls.
1t had all been a sumptuous and vet charm
ingly tasteful tribute to the sweetheart of
the host. People pressed Alonzo's hand in
their ardent praise of his festivity, and told
him that the entertainment had been a
blended astonishment and delight. Mrs;
| Kennaird, who had not danced, but who had
watched the cotillion with her grand air at
its grandest, whispered to her prospective
son-in-law, just as he was slipping from the
| room, having in his hand a card which q
servant had lately given him:
Your tribute to dear Kathleen has been
perfectly enchanting"
$50 glad you liked it-so glad" returned
Alonzo, as he receded from the lofty lady s
view
The card which he held was from his
uncle, Mr.. Crawford Lispenard, head of the
great banking house, Lispenard g. Chiches-
ter.
"My dear Uncle Crawford" he said,
grasping the hand of big man with iron
gray side whiskers, who stood in the hall,
Eve meet SO seldom, but when we do meet
it shouldn't be like this. know You hate
society, dear old boy. Still you'll come up
and see my sweetheart, won't you? I'm
giving her little afternoon dance. You
know, Uncle Crawford, you and she must
meet, sooner or latter. Why, you're sort of
pale and queer locking; whats the matter?"
"Alonzo," said MIR. Crawford Lispenard,
you, and speak quite privately"
Aionzo's eyes swept the face that he knew
SO well and dearly loved. This monetary
potentate, this prince of finance, his dead
fathers trusted brother, who had been to
himself and his sister such a model Of all
devoted guardianship, in trouble 1t seemed
incredible
YOU'RE somehow not yourselfr' he ex-
claimed, momentarily careless of the watch
ing footman. ''Oh, Uncle Crawford, it
isn't---?" and he drew back, with laugh on
his lips, but an anxious cloud in his gaze.
'fIt isn't any nonsense of mine that you've
been hearing OFF"
'No, no, Lonz Can't we be alone to-
gether soon? I'll come back later-or
you'll come to me-" and the gentleman,
little bewilderedly, turned toward the door,
reaching forth q fiuttered hand as if to
grasp its knob.
Alonzo caught that hand between both
his own. He had held it for an instant be-
fore, but not till then had he realized how
cold it was.
Light my studio at once" he said to
servant, recalling that the winter day was
now completely darkened. The man sprang
upstairs to obey his bidding, and Alonzo
followed him at his uncle's side.
1.-The idea of your rushing off like that,
Uncle Crawford! You come here so seldom
that you're not to be released SO easily
when you do come
The long, melodious wailings of the waltz
music fioated up to them as they assembled
the stairs. After several seconds Alonzo
suddenly turned to his companion.
Upon my word. Uncle Crawford" he
eff there were any bad news
that you could bring me, I should imagine
you had brought it now'
Mr.. Lispenard paused. They were at the
door of the studio. He put hand on his
nephew's shoulder and stared gloomily into
his face.
81 do bring you bad news, my boy. II
bring you horrible news" he said.
Alonzo felt himself whiten. In fash he
OWNED what was meant 1t could only be
one thing. The ground swung beneath his
feet as he passed with his uncle across the
threshold of the studio and closed its door
behind them bott.