The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-11

But he understood how his son should be what
no was. and he loved him so much that he
almost honored him for what he called his bal
derdash about industrial slavery. His heart
lifted when at last he henrd the scratching Of
the night latch at the door below. and he made
numbering haste down stairs to open and lot
the young people In. He reached tho door as
they opened 1t, and In tho momentary light
ness OF his soul at sight OF his children he gave
them gay welcome. and took his daughter.
all fuff OF soft silken and furry wraps. into
| his arms
| "Oh. don't kiss my nosei" she called out.
"It'll freeze you TO death. pspai What in tho
world are you up for3 Anything the matter
with mammal"
| mo. Sho was in bed when oame homo,
thought would sit up and ask what sort OF q
| time you'd had"
did you ever know mo to have a bad one
I had tho best time in the world. danced
every Dance and enjoyed IL Just as much as
II had shut and been bud again. But
don't you know It's very bad for old gentlemen
| to be up so late 2"
They were mounting the stairs. and whom
they reached the library she went In and poked
her long -eloved hands we'll in over the fars on
the hearth while she lifted her eyes to tho
clock. "Oh. II isn't 80 very late. Only s."
mo. It's early" said her father with the So
ourity in feeble Joke which none but fathers
can feel with none but their grown-up daugh-
ters. Its full an hour yet before Matt would
be getting UP to feed his cattle. II he were in
Vardley." Hilary had given Matt tho old
family place there. and no always liked to
make a joke OF his getting an honest living By
farming II.
Don't speak Of that agricultural ansell"
said the girl. putting her draperies back with
one hand and combining them with her elbow.
80 as to give her other hand greater comfort
Of the FIRE. To do better yet she dropped on
| both knees before 1t.
"Was he nico2" asked the father. with CON-
| fldenoe
NIGEL Ask all the plain girls no danced
| with. all the dull girls he talked With When
| think what good time should have with
him as plain girl II I were not his sister. I
| lose all patience" She glanced up in her
| fathers face. with all the strange charm Of
| features that had no regular beauty: and
| then. as she had to do Whenever she re-
membered them. she asserted the grace which
| governed every movement and gesture In her.
| and got as lightly to her feet as II she were
| a wind bowed flower fitting back to its per-
pendicular. Her father looked at her with as
fond q delight as a lover could have felt In hor
fascination. She was. In fact. youthful. fem
inine version Of himself In her plainness;
though the grace was all her own. Her COM
plexion was not the leathery red Of her faith
er's. but a smooth and even white from cheek
to throat She let her loose cloak fall to the
chair behind her. and showed horself tall and
slim. with that odd visage Of hers dropping
from perfect neck. why" she said. III We
had all been horned cattle. he couldn't have
treated US better"
DO you hear that. Matt7' asked the father.
as his son came in. after a methodical and de-
liberate bestowal Of his outer garments below:
his method and his elaboration were part Of
the joke OF him in the family
Complaining of mo for making her walk
home ?" he asked in turn. with the quiet which
was another part Of tho joke. Il didn't sup
pose you'd give me away. Louise"
IT didn't: knew only had to wait and you
would give yourself away" said the girl.
did no make you walk home" said the
father. That's tho reason your hands are 50
cold" 4.....r. ~. ~
"They are not very cold-now: and II they
were. shouldn't mind it In such cause"
What cause2"
"Oh. the general shamefulness Of disuslng
the feet God had given me. But it was only
three blocks and I had my arctics." She
moved little away toward the fire again and
showed tho arctios on the floor where she
must have been skufling them of under her
skirts. ugh! But it's ooldw She now
Yes. it's cold night: but you seem to
have got home alive, and don't think you'll
be the worse for 1t. now II you 60 to bod at
once" said hor father.
us that hint 2" she asked. with dreamy
appreciation Of the warmth through the too Of
her slipper.
Not at all we should be glad to have you
sit up the whole night with U.s."
"Ah. now know you're limiting Isit busi-
ness2"
"Yes. It's business"
well. I'm just In tho humor for businessi
I've had enough pleasure"
II don't see why Louise shouldn't stay and
talk business with US. II she likes. think it's
q pity to keep women out OF 1t. as II 1t didn't
concern Them" said the son. "Nine-tcnths Of
the time 1t concerns them moro than it does
men," He had bright friendly, philosophical
smile in saying this. and he stood waiting for
his sister to be gone with patience which
their father did not share. He stood some-
thing over six feet in his low Shoes and his
powerful frame seemed starting out Of the
dress suit which it appeared so little related
to. His whole face was handsome and regular.
and his full beard did not wholly hide q mouth
Of singular sweetness.
Yes: think 80. too. In the abstract" said the
father. " II the business were mine or were
business In the ordinary sense Of the term"
why. why did you say 1t was business at all.
Them" Tho girl put her arms round her
fathors neck and let hor head scarf fall on the
rug little way from her cloak and hor arctics.
IF you hadn't said 1t was business should
have been In bed long ago." Then. as II feel |
ing her fathers eagernoss to have her gone. |
she said: Good night" and gave him kiss. |
and hug or two more. and said. Good night, |
Matt" and got herself away. letting long
glove trail somewhere out OF her dress and |
stretch Its weak length upon the floor after |
her. as II It were trying to follow her.
CHAPTER VIII
Louise's father in turning to look from her |
I1rhf oLo I'D In