The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-07-16
AN IMPOTENT CONCLUSION,

- 10
He was seated opposite to me at
dinner, and when my eyes first fell up
on him / felt certain / had seen him
somewhere before, though l had no
recollection OF ever having spoken to
him, or, of his name.
A slim young man of middle height,
we'll dressed and of a fair complexion
in fact, with an air OF general
washed-Outness not uncommon
among young civilians who have de-
voted their childhood to hard study
and spent their years of adolescence
in the tropics. During the 10 years I
had myself lived in India 1 had en-
countered dozens OF men almost the
facsimile of this. one in appearance
almost, but not quite. That deep
mark coming down between his
brows, which were contracted in q
panied frown, and the pale, unquiet
eyes which looked at you from be-
meath them, were sufficient to redeem
him from the charge of being cast in
too commonplace mould; while a
sort of suppressed activity in his
slowest movement proved that he
was not victim to that climatic
lassitude which is so hard to shake off
even on the hills. Without judging
from his pallor I could have told
that this was not the result of health
full energy but OF. nervous excitabllity.
He was suffering, but whether from
physical or mental causes could not
say.
Curiosity impelled ME to question
my neighbor, a small vivacious lady
who had been introduced to me
earlier in the evening as Mrs. Fame,
and who seemed more than usually
informed concerning the ms and outs
of Smila society.
'"That is young Greyle," she return
~ ACi.po.J w AAAS 1ANolAJ "A very
rising light in the political department.
It's name which is always bound to
get on in India, and he has plenty OF
influential connections. He seems to
haunt the houses of members of coun-
Gil, and when I was asked here tonight
felt certain of meeting him."
"Not a very lively guest. He has
scarcely opened his lips since he sat
down." ...e:. ...1...
"And at these dismal functions
every Englishman is bound to do his
lduty?" laughing; then, with softer
note in her voice, she added; "But he,
poor fellow, had great shock some
time ago, and has not yet recovered
from it.
Just then somebody else addressed
her, and though I was too interested
not to make several efforts to discov-
er more about Mr.. Greyle, I hesitated
to assert my primary right to my
partners attention, as the conversa-
ton had become general, and seemed
to owe all it's sparkle and its fun to
her.
~ feel I have been defrauded OF you
shamefully,' I insinuated in the
momentary hush which precedes the
departure of the ladies.
"Comfort yourself with the reflect
ion that you have been sacrificed for
the public good. If had not talked
no one else would have done so, am
sure. It is getting near the end of the
season, and we are all more or less ex-
hausted. am quite worn out.'
"A day or two OF thorough
She stopped me with little horri-
fed gesture. IT,
eff it were known or even suspected
that had spent an evening under my
own roof, it would be considered q
sign OF waning popularity, and Icould
not bear up under such asupposition.
No, shall go onto the end. Tonight,
at any rate, you will admit that I
have earned my dinner"
She smiled at me over her shoulder
as she went out, and was sufficiently
attracted by her gaiety and good
looks to seek her out when we went
into the drawing room. AS sank in
to the seat beside her she whispered
dolefully: r.. .....e ."~ IT,
81 have q dreadful presentiment
they are going to play games. Look
at the group near the doorway, they
are carefully plotting something for
our amusement. &..
Ireplied that it was very likely.
The last time that I had dined here I
remembered they had had dumb cram
DO, and mine had been the mournful
privilege to see three esteemed lights
OF the Indian Legislature and yet
more exalted parsonage wallowing on
the ground as fishes, while a lovely
lady angled for them from the sofa
with string and crooked pin.
"Why can't they treat us as reason
able beings, and leave us in peace?"
fretfully.
"They are afraid we might take ad-
vantage Of their kindness to fall
asleep"
The discussion in question was be-
coming more and more animated; dis
jointed sentences reached us where we
sat-
81 don't believe in it a Bit"
They talked Of trying to discover
the Whitechapel murderer that way"