Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-18

solve that this beauty should find its full
matrimonial price. The shock of AlonZo's
! losses had been followed by a sense OF relief
! at the ruptured engagement. He had never
! been good enough for the girl after all. The
! gods had Withdrawn their good gifts only to
restore them in more plenteous measure.
| "Stuttgardt,n she thought. Yes, Wen go
there for while, perhaps. There, or to
Dresden, or some such place. Anything to
| humor VIII lie she's like this. A little mop
ing may do her good. If she's crossed now,
and gets into tantrums and cries too much,
lt may seriously hurt her looks. But no
Stuttgardt, or any such place for us, except
temporarily! Bah! The stars in their
courses wouldn't serve me quite so shabby a
trick rs that, though heaven knows they've
brought me ill enough since left my pima
fores." And with a smile Mrs. Kennaird
sought her room, to look over her evening
gowns and see which would produce the
least tumbled effect at the Dillworthy'S
Delmonico dance that evening.
She went, though she went alone, and had
q delightful time as well. There was nothing
that SO consoled her for all mental pain as
the blaze of festat lights the perfume of
festal flowers, 1.-The dancers dancing in
tune" and all the merriment of a revel
however hollow it may be, provided patri-
clan elements went to make it. More than
once she had cured,a nervous headache by
just this means. Amid the assemblage to-
night she held herself with all her old majes-
ty and suavity. Quite as always her male
attendants were many, and though elderly,
sprinkling of younger devotees in her TRAIN:
she considered it beneath the dignity of a
woman as old rs herself to receive an over
plus of homage from Striplings. That
would have been almost as infelicitous as
though she had condescended to dance: and
while she did not dream of dancing, she
nevertheless abhorred the dais con-
secrated to dowagers, or moved or
stood near 1t, holding a little court of her
own, while matrons of great wealth and
caste sat behind her almost unheeded by tho
other sex. On the subject of her daughters
absence she was unreserved, even voluble.
YES" she would murmur, with a sad little
wave or two of her fan, poor, dear kath-
ieen thought it best not to come. He has
treated us both, you know, in the most
shocking way. My dear child was devotion
itself to him, just as was l. Kathleen would
gladly have gone with him into the lowest
depths of poverty, and 1-what,have l ever
refused my darling girl, and. how could 1
now stand between her and the fulfilment
of her hearts fondest wishes? But he came
TO us cold, cynical suspicious-oh, it was
too horrible! He listened, 1 suppose, to
ISLANDERS concerning Kathleen, and accused
her of not caring to continue the engage
ment. Even this would not have alienated
the loving spirit he so wronged, but when he
cruelty insulted me in Kathleen's presence
it was too much even for her perfect devo-
tion. l have remained wholly passive
throughout. Kathleen has broken the ties
between them, and she has done so in pure
desperation at his utter brutality. 1 am
astonished that he is not here tonight; it
would be so like him to come after the
dreadful way in which he has treated us.
But bear him no1ll will. / was prepared,
indeed. to almost overwhelm him with my
sympathy"
But Alonzo. far from appearing at Del
monico's that evening, was absorbed in
preparations for his departure. Events
that were chiefly OF financial sort and had
to do not only with the settlement OF his
own and Mrs. Van Santvoords wrecked pat
rimony, but with the closing up on his and
on his Uncle Crawford's part of a business
hopelessly MANNED and soied. kept DELAYING
him until beyond the early weeks of spring.
When at last he sailed for Europe it was
after having received from Eric ThaXter,
new assurances of a mos cordial welcome.
"In other days" ran one of Eric's letters,
my request that you would come and a.
cept the court position you have now con-
sented to fill, was protfered in a mood rather
OF Jest than earnest. Yet circumstance has
conspired in more ways than one to make
bright reality of what was then but
rosy dream. shall have you
here in Saltravia, my friend, and that
the sole reason l have secured you. The
King has for some time reposed in my hand
(those hands which have had the luck so to
please him as regards their architectural
plan drawings) all power OF appointing the
art superintendent of his realm. I gave this
office not very long ago to one of our fellow
countrymen, an artist OF no mean talent and
of apparently the coolest head. But no
sigma, that arrogance and effroItery were
mild names for, him. What could l do?
There he Strutted through the halls of our
beautiful museum with a carriage YOU would
have called immodest in a peacock. Unless
i greatly err, the poor King was the only
one of us whom he did not presume to
patronize. How to get rid of Mr.. Jernigham
Has for some time battling problem. /
could not discharge him, as no actual
offense could be laid at his door, But finally
hit upon way. Ofnecessity he would be
absent for days at time, and 1 cleared my
throat auguStly one afternoon, and in nformed
him that in these absences Il co-superintend-
ent must be appointed to take his place He
5ristled at this, just as had expected, and
asked me why co-superintendents should be
created and not an officer of lower status
than his OWL 1endeavored to explain pre-
ciSely why, and in so doing l am afraid that
with intention 1 reused his lordly wrath
for disgusted resignation followed, and it
came just in the nick of time. During that
same week your letter reached me, telling
of that fateful suicide. The position was
ready for you and waits now your gracious
occupancy. Meanwhile birmingham, still
resident of Saltravia, poisons the air with
malign tales about my jealousy Of his sue
withered sister, who adores him, helps to
spread these silly reports. They don't in
iure me; am not after all, half so unpopu-
lar in Saltravia as MI. and Miss birmingham
would try to make out. But l feel it my
duty. dear AlonZo, to warn you that you
will find in these people two ready-made
foes. And yet their enmity is harmless as a
sleeps bleat, and Il regret to add hardly
more amusing or dramatic"
On reaching Saltravia after brief stay in
Paris, AlonZo aliGhted from the train just at
tiring but toward the latter part of it soft
hills, green emerald, had gradually great
ened, affecting him from the window at
which he sat like giant spirits Of woodlawn
hospitality that linked their godlil1e hands
in continual increase of greeting. But the
light-huilt station, shaped with airiest deli
cacy, brought him greeting dearer still.
Eric Thaxter grasped his hand before he
had taken ten steps.
Dear old Eric!' he said, "you look Just
the same. Big and handsome and yellow
bearded as ever!'
Eric smiled. and pressed his friends hand
with vigor that brought back the atelier
days in Paris. not to mention hours of
merry abandonment in the Boulevard St.
Michel.
'Don't think of your luggage" said Eric.
"Au will be attended to-" He caught from
his friends grasp the vouchers held there |
Come" he continued, after fleeting con-
verse with two livered servants. In an
other instant he had thrown an arm about
neck, while they walked onward
1T seems so natural to meet you here in
he said. at is like having the |
moon rise, or the breeze blow. For / am
sure you will like it here, unless the weather |
becomes rebellious."
"One would say" murmured Alonzo, look |
ing about him, that the skies were always
kind TO so enchanting a spot as this"
$50 you like it? flashed Enc Thaxter. "I
was sure ycu wouldr
Like iti And we are near a railway STA
ton I"
Eyes, my friend; but did you observe the
tunnel as you approached? Itis three miles |
long"
You call it a tunnel2"
"Well, causeway, if you prefer. In any |
case, our trains plunge through the valley |
with kind of sleepy herceness. 1t is the |
Kings doing. And if you will cast your
eye, backward along the route of the rail |
v ay by which you have just come, you will |
see nothing but n series of unCulant green |
ablaze with spots of the |
choicest flowers
"ENnuisite said A1onZo 0Rut ono has |