New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-13
CHAPTER III.

About a fortnight after Tom Barracliffe's final
enrolment a legislator, Miss sinclair Deuhougdyy
herself that she hadn't seen Mr. Tracy for several
DAYS and was pleased to remember that ne was
coming in to dinner that evening. WINE s9e Was
dressing she thought good deal Oh her gu IeiI,
and wondered he had kept away so long re
had as she told Lady Cecilia, never aspIred 10 DC
more than friend, and he had seen with unmoVeu
eye the rise and fall Of good many sultors; ~, ne
was free from all petty jealousy, and yet E Iaitn
was sure that he did not like Mr. Barrecllie.
She remembered discussion she had had WIN
him, in which she had been led into champlonlns
the cause of the society young man .
The men one knows" she had said, generally
seem rather stupid, because they haven't mucn ~
say, and say it badly. But still they are capable
of surprising one at times by being 30
much better than they look. They are 700 nlucn
afraid of wearing their heart upon their sleeves
seriously, the belief in the inaruculate young
Englishman is of the most hurtful of our
social superstitions, one OF the most nischieDots
of our idola tribus. j hope you are not going TO
worship that silly fetish OF society novels. De
pend upon it, the average young man appears
stupid and Indifferent because he really is So
The conversation had lasted for some time, al
WAYS in general terms but each had known that
the other was thinking of Mr. E2rracliffe. D.
Edith remembered this talkSHnd was sorry for
Mr. Tracy. She had herself a firm belief in
Mr. Barracliffe's talent, and in the real good
ness Of his dispost ion, and felt sure that proofs
would be forthcoming; but in proportion as ~
was clear to her that Tom had gained q place in
her affections which no one else mad held, she
felt certain tenderness for the =, man who had
Il
thought Of being more than friends she told her
self but now even that friendship was modlhed.
Edith sat next to Mr.. Tracy at dinner, and was ;
listened with the most flattering attention. Only
when the talk of politics She wondered IL he
guessed that she was thinking OF Mr.. Barracll1e
Mr. Tracy had good reasons for talking on politl-
cal subects-the political situation was just then
very peculiar Various ruInorS had been ahOat
and were now gathering consistency and definite
shape. These centred round great politician,
whom his opponents called the first OF orators, and
his followers the first of statesmen Mr. VavasouTs
| position in the world OF politics was as remark
! able great experience, unrivalled talents and
| the most restless energy could make 1t; ana so,
! when it was authoritatvely stated in of the
| newspapers that he had decided to accept what
was then known as the New Programme, the great
est interest was excited The report was at once
/ denied Mr.. VavasOur wrote long letter 20
the journal which had published it, but his
! language was so guarded and ambiguous that the
| advocates of the New Programme were more than
ever certain Of their illustrious convert And
NOT many days after Mr. Vavasour, in distributing
the prizes to a Mechanics Institute in the North
of England. had made speech which iea
New Programme was TO be adopted
under changed name. Mr. Vavasour had ac-
cepted the measures he had denounced. Never
since the great conversion of Sir Robert Peel had
| there been so much political excitement. The
great question was, how far Mr.. Vavasour would be
able to carry his own followers with him. A
schism in the party seemed inevitable.
II was on these topics that Mr.. Tracy discoursed.
| while Edith listened, and thought Of Mr., Barro-
ciGe. How would all this affect him? If there
was split. which side would he take?
Mr.. Tracy noticed her distracted air, and OWNED
! whittier her thoughts were tending.
He said in a tone which he tried TO make indif-
ferent. Your friend Mr. BarraclifTe is one of the
| new members, isn't he y
| Yes" she said. " he Is"
The question was quite unnecessary and Edith
"Now," continued the other, 81 wonder what
suggested the idea to him! Does he think of be-
Il am afraid You have low opinion of Mr.
Barraclffe7 said Edith with forced calmness
You seem TO think that he has no capacity what
ever"
Not at ALL replied Tracy quickly. He is an
expert horseman. crack shot. and he used To
play cricket very well indeed.
His irony was too apparent. Miss Snclair's
checks flushed. and she replied with some warmth
Perhaps he is not so stupid, as you think. He
may surprise you one OF these days A. any rate
And Edith darted an indignant glance at him
as she left the room with the other ladies.
Tracy felt very unhappy as he lighted his cigar
cite lie regretted that he had shown 50 plainly
his dislike Of Tom Barraclihc, and it was but
poor consolation TO assure himself that his low
estimation of that gentleman the right one.
% What she see in him% he kept repeating
TO himself. as many hapless gentleman has done
in like case.
In the drawing-room his modification mounted
still higher Tom Barracffe had come in, and wa
talking 10 Edith. She was interested IN his con
versation, evidently. for sac smiled and her evet
sparlSled. Mr.. Tracy could not help watching the
two young people, while he tried 20 talk common
places 20 Mrs Sinclair
, Tom had come in from the House of Common
10 bring Miss Sinclair piece of news. Lord Vel
vertOn had made short speech in which he ha(
declared himself unable 10 follow Mr.. Vavasouri
lead any longer And Lord Yelverton would hav,
O large following.
And you. Mr.. Barraclihe?" Edith asked ex
| citedy
, Tom looked very grave
&" / shall follow Lord Yelverton.' he said "Bu
thought you might like TO know it,
Edith nodded solemRly. She felt that she wa
the possessor of a State secret
" | am glad you are going 20 take that side
! she said Mr. Tracy says
She stopped and cast hurried glance at thu