Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-08

Mrs. kennafrd approached her daugnter.
But before she could reach her side, old
Mrs Madison, with wrinkled face, gouty
step ard cane big enough for British
squire, beset bv the same malady as herself,
came hobblingly forward.
''Mv dear Mrs. Kennaird don't know
how can stay any longer in Saltravia un-
less YOU present Inc TO your daughter! 1t
isn't only that four or five young men are
always tormenting me for presentation to
her, knowing that know you. It's that
lots of tiresome old persons like myself, of
whichever sex, make nv life burden with
their longings." Here Mrs. Madison shook
her head, and so briskly that the gold
trimmed glasses trembled on her high, clear
curving nose. "Ah, Mrs. Kennaird, it's
we old things that are the wisest lapidaries
for pronouncing on the color and water OF
that dearest of all diamonds, YOUTH
''My daughter will be charmed to meet
you, and your friends also, my dear Mrs.
Madison, of course" was the reply given
by Kathleen's mother. But while she stood
and strove to talk blandly with this old
alienated Knickerbocker (for who could for
get that the Madisons were leading people
in the palmy days of the Van Leriuses, and
that Madison once married Van Lerius
as far back as 1882 she was secretly throb-
bling with discomfort and chagrin.
Alonzo Lispenard here in Saltravial And
not only that, but on terms of special favor
with the King! 1t was ruin of all those de-
licious hopesl For the very moment that
he heard Clarimond had admired Kathleen
what would he be sure 10 do? Prejudice his
roval friend, beyond q doubt, against both
herself and her child. Oh, it was too aggra-
vating too maddening!
When she reached Kathleen Mrs Ken
naird grasped the girls wrist with tremor
and force that instantly betrayed her
trouble.
sMy dear Kathleen" she began. IT hsye
such wretched news"
"Wretched news, mammal"
'Yes; don't stare at me. Everybody
hear, is staring at. you. Therei won't
clutch you in that idiotic style any more.
You-you know, nv. dear, that IL have
always prided myself on my repose."
"Well, mammal"
''Let's walk along quietly toward tho
hotel, as if nothing had happened I've
Just heard from Mrs Madison that your
wonderful beauty and grace have set every
body talking about you"
"And is that all that has happened7"
Kathleen asked, with decided languor.'
'fNo. only wish it were! My dear child,
where did you think Alonzo Lispenard had
gone after-after the breaking of your en-
gagement? Don't look demoralized, nowl
Answer mer
Kathleen had visibly started, and her
change of color was manifest. ''Gone?" she
repeated. 81 heard that he was here in
Europe. You remember, mamma Some
thing was said about an Austrian Grand
Duke having wanted him to purchase works
of art for his private gallery. But never
believed the report. 1t was never con-
frmed. I"
'Kathleenl Believe the report now, If
you choose!'
"Believe it, mammal
"Yes. But change the Austrian Grand
Duke to IA Saltravian King"
kathleen looked ixedlv at her mother
for several seconds as they moved still
nearer to the steps of the hotel. When she
spoke it was clearly to show that she had
in measure understood.
"Alonzo is here?" she faltered. "You
mean that?"
''He lives here, and lives under the very
wing, SO to speak, of Clarimond 1t SEEM
that his friend, Fri, Thaxter, sent for him
to come on here after the failure" Then
Mrs. Kennaird gave few further e1plana-
tions which ended by the time they reached
the huge enclosed balcony of the hotel and
ascended the steps. Kathleen sank into a
chair, not trembling, but looking as if
tremors might at any moment begin.
1--WE must go away from here, mamma"
she presently SAID, glancirg up into her
mothers face while that lady stood in placid
once"
''oh, now, my dear Kathleeni You surely
won't be so foolish"
''He will think we came solely on his &C
count"
But I tell you he isn't here"
"Still, he may return any hour. No,
mamma; I will not stay. Let us go to Vail
ambrose tomorrow. We intended going
there, you know, when you suddenly got
this craze for Saltravia."
Mrs Kennaird frightened her lips togeth-
er stared straight ahead, and gave not a
syllable of response. Oh, of course Kath-
leen must have her own way! 1t would be
folly to keep her here against her will, for
that viii had modes of making itself felt
which coercion sooner or later failed to
profit by. And to think that the presence
of this detestable Alonzo should shatter
such lordlv ediice Of shining and pris-
matte dream! All, it was too harrowingI In
a certain sense Kathleen was right; the
horrid creature might think she had come
here because of him, though anv thrills of
dignity on the subject would have been
idle if it were not that this bugbear was
actually an intimate of the King In that
abominated capacity he was fate appointed,
as one might say, to head herself and her
daughter off Scalding tears of ire and dis
appointment gathered to the eyes of Kath-
leen's mother while she stood and watched
the spacious hotel grounds dotted with
strollers and sweeping on toward the
palace, white and splendid against
its dark green mountain side. She had
raised her handkerchief to brush away these
fiery tears if in reality they should show
signs of falling, when a kind of furry
among the people on the laurels made her
curious to learn its cause This soon be-
came plain, as she discerned a group at
some distance away, headed by a man of
noble and gracious presence. She had seen
Clarimond day or two ago, on the occasion
when Kathleen had so evidently won his
heed, and once having seen, it was not easy
to forget him. She now leaned down and
murmured to Kathleen:
''The King, my dear. And think he is
coming this way"
'Let us go upstairs, mamma" said Kath-
leer, rising ''Or will you remain here and
shall I?"
The words died on her lips, for just then
old Mrs. Madison came putting up the steps
with young gentleman of striking appear
ance at her side. ''Mrs. Kennaird," called
the old lady, 81 couldn't stand the pressure
of circumstances any longer. I'm compelled
to beg of you that you'll make me acquaint-
ed with your lovely daughter, so that can
can appease the longings of Mr.. Eric Tha1-
ter who is resolved to know her or de-
"Mr. Thaxter certainly shall not die
without knowing Kathleen" said Mrs.
Kennaird, in her most dulcet tones And
then there was an exchange of introductions
gone through quietly and quickly, as most
weil-bred persons manage to deal with such
matters.