Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-07-26

Genle at once, IN very DuSlneSSnke
way, explained to Mr. Hogg what her OBJ.
ject was in putting that question.
g Now, I'll just tell you everything; but,
mind this, you must not let the ghost of a
| shadow of what say slip out! I'm going to
trust you, dye see, not because you're a
man, but because YOU'RE a-diplomatist!' y
| and she fiourished him sweeping curtsey
that would have made Lady Teazle envious.
He essayed courtly bow that sent the
accomplished pixie into her merriest laugh
| at its hopeless clumsiness. Then, taking a
| chair close opposite to him in the bow win
dow, she gravely unfolded this story of
hers.
you remember when Auntie and I were
in England last year2 Well, you remember
| meeting US at the coming-of-age festivities
| of Lord Brasthorpe2m
| ''Oh, yes, at Chorley Abbey"
And wasn't it Jolly! Very well; there
| was d gentleman--his name, I think, was
| Terrick, or something like that"
Why, you mean Tyrwhitt, spelt Tyr
! Whit, but pronounced Thrift"
That's the name! Do you know him9''
every well, indeed, Miss Dabchic; 1 have
| the pleasure 10 call him friend-one of my
best friends over there, in fact. I'm glad
| you like him
| ''Now, no nonsense, Mr. Hogg l don't
even know his name, so how can like himl
| We girls don't all fall in love with good
| looks.''
| \"That gives me shred of hope yet. Miss
| Dabchic. l kiss your hand in sheer graft
| tude."
''You shouldn't tease me when you see
| m IN dreadful earnest-that isn't good di-
| plomacy, I'm sure! Listen, you wouldn't
know my friends name if l gave it YOU,
| which I Shan't, but she's the dearest, clev-
| crest girl-a girl, marx you-that ever was,
and she has friend who is a close friend
| of your friend Nh. Tirrick-is that right?''
Sir John Ponsonby Tyrwhitt, baronet."
ION, what love of a name for an Eng
| lishman! Well, never mind that. So, you
| see, my English friend wants to know for
| her friend what my New York friend now
| before me knows of the Mr.. Blarnaby
| whom he wrote so warmly about to her
| friend. There, now, you've got it all, MIR.
| Diplomatist.''
| This was undoubtedly startling to Mr..
| Hogg. Not that he thought there was any
| thing serious, or even Important in it but
| the comlcal roundabout inqulsition set his
| ample wits to work, and at once he told his
| artfully artless inquisitor exactly what was
| in his mind. Mr.. Blarnaby, he said, had
| in no way exceeded the limits of the ac-
| quaintancesh.p between them in asking for
! letters of introduction; neither had he
| Cdogg) gone hairs breadth beyond strict
| propriety in commencing that gentleman to
! his friends in London. He regarded Mn.
| the hour; not agreeing with him in many
| points, perhaps not approving of much in
| his past performances; but believing that
| he had the commanding abilities and the
| facilities and the ambition to figure promi-
| nently in national affairs, he (IIogg) held it
| to be the duty-tO say nothing of other
| considerations-of citizens like himself to
| surround any such rising man, because as
| sociation with the more refined, leisured,
| responsible and stable section of society
| has powerful influence for good upon him
| who aspireS to govern society at large.
| Perhaps this satisfied Miss Dabchic as
| budding philosopher; but it did not as q
| practical negotiator, for she came back to
| her point with charming directneSS.
That's all very proper, L dare say; but
| my friend says that her friends are going
| to invest quite a lot of money in certain
| speculation entirely on the strength of your
| friendship with MIR. Blarnaby, and they
seem to think that you are in partnership
| with Mr. Blarnaby, or whatever it is.
Good heavens, mol Why. Tyrwhitt
knows better than that; let them ask MIN.
| May ask who in particular is interested in
writing TO you to ask me thiSs''
Il won't tell you who my correspondent
is, but she is a good friend of Lady Ossul-
stones, and"
sob no! So that's how things are going,
Ell. OF course / will lose no time in writing
| notion that l have either an interest in or
knowledge of Mr.. Blarnaby's enterprises,
and you are quite free to say this much to
your friend.''
'There-thank you so much, Mr.. Hogg
that's all l wanted: but
'sBut what, Miss Dabchic?"
ooh, was only thinking-suppose some
day grow into diplomatist, like you, you
know, guess | should diplomatic in letter
writing rather more carefully than in talk
ing, that's al.'
why, my dear
'tMiss Dabchic'' he would have continued,
had not his slightly indignant remonstrance
been interrupted by the entrance of Miss
Bennison, who, with the sweetest of smiles,
professed her deep regret at the intrusion.
Il really thought YOU had gone, MIR.
Hogg n;oThe perceptible en- barrassment of
the couple was not unpleasing to her. and
it was easy for so amiable a critic TO accept
Genie's blunt utterance as ruse, to divert
suspicion.
''Oh Auntie dear, Mr.. Hogg isn't real
friend of Mr. Blarnaby's, after all-onlyin a
diplomatic sort of sense you knowi' And
her ringing laugh produced {; rosiness
which was easily mistaken for the sunset Of
blush.
AS for poor MIR Hogg, he was in guam
dairy between self-defense, self-sacrifce
and good policy. Miss Bennison antici-
pated him.
Pm afraid Genie has been asking incon-
venient questions, and you have felt re-
luctance-'
Not at all, Miss Bennison, assure you.
In fact Miss Dabchic has. in her own delight
full way, been giving me very sound instruc-
ton
mo, have been receiving it, Auutielo
'Perhaps [ had better say at once, Miss
Bennison-''
Miss Bennison here seated herself in
high-backed arm chair, and took out her
scent bottle.)
That my-er-, my-iking, that is-my
friendship for-Mr. Blarnaby-(Miss Ben
nison here suddenly recovered her original
calmness and posture) is not so enthusiastic
as some appear to think. I am not intimate
with him, nor have 1 any relations with him
whatever. Indeed, it is public property
that he has poured his scorn upon my
political attitude, and l have publicly de-
nounced more than one of his party
maneuverS.''
Il think that is pretty generally under
stood, Mr.. Hogg, and it would be absurd
for anyone to assume that Mr.. Blarnaby'S
occasional appearance at some of our social
gatherings implies that we are sponsors for
his doings"
''Of course we are not" said Hogg,
warmly; land perhaps it is time we began to
say 500
The two ladies somewhat eagerly began
TO speak at once. and in the same moment
servant came in to announce visitor:
The Honorable Dewitt NJ. Blarnaby"
The distinguished gentleman was, at
Miss Bennison's order, ushered in MIR.
easy Indifference, until the ladies' saluta-
fiOpe yvara yrada and then the tIrO man