The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-18
CHAPTER vIU.-Continued

They would think we had known one
another ever since we were children; they
would think" he said eagerly, but she
interrupted him.
THAT would be very true, but you
should call me what you like--you know
rs we'll rs I what Is good form-what is
conventionnlw
Il WISH" said Lawrence. you wouldn't
always be talking about what is conven'
ventional. l don't care rap about con-
,entionality. 1t is stupid-this not al
lowing people TO do what their feelings
prompt them; one is hampered, checked.
.,eld back! No wonder all the men are
mere tailors dummies, whose chief aim in
life is To talk nohsence To pretty women
who appear to like it, but who are really
laughing in their sleeve; conventionality
makes men foolish or cynical, that is all /
Really, aren't you going a little too
far. Don't you think there must be .
limit TO everything? II IL were not foi
conventionality what would society bel
Don't you think the polish OF convention
aity is necessary TO prevent jangling and
discord? A good deal Is hidden by the
surface polish of society. Suppose we all
showed our likes and disllkes out plainly
every time we had chance; think what
a disagreeable state of affairs that would
creatcw
What mean is this: / don't think
frankness is used enough" said Lawrence
Suppose meet man heartily dislike
know about him: know he is rascal J
find him in the society OF a group OF my
frierds, and one OF them introduces me tt
him. He may have good manners, ano
may be very agreeable and fascinating
at he is, well-a little of color. Conven.
uonalty demands that / should bow corr
Tally and mutter n few sweet fibs; my
common sense tells me to decline TO have
anything TO do with him. IL l refuse to
meet him, IL would make scene whichso-
ciety forbids; il l talk TO him, and have
anything to do with him / am acting
lie? or course / cannot make his true
character known; conventionality calls
that SANDER! So all ! can do Is to tolerate
him until he departs!"
II think that this is all that is expected
-ef eie,. said Miss Montague Tact goes
hand in hand with conventionality, and
II they are rightly used you will admit,
yourself. that the combination is better
than brutal frankness. Suppose am In
troduced 10 a man at dance, and find
him extremely stupid and commonplace;
don't tell him so! / dance with him, per-
haps but can contrive to get him out Of
the way without wounding his feelings.
Tact does that" said Lawrence, and
hen he relapsed into uneasy silence. He
looked at the toes OF his boot and clasped
his hand nervously. Miss Montague was
too much perturbed TO notice him; she
had not forgotten what had happened be-
fore Lawrence had como inflow Davaris
was playing to her. how he stopped
abruptly, how he looked at the doorway
with such peculiar glance, how he let tie
violin fall TO the floor, and how he tool
his departure after those few words.
There was peculiar feeling in her head;
tho ringing OF Davaris's wild music was
still in her ears. She longed to get away
alone and think about - what? She
didn't know. Everything seemed to be in
confusion; her brain was In whirl. But
nothing bad occurred to excite her. Was
she not over-sensitive2 Surely the very
clever playing Of young violnist should
not have such an effect on her; OF course
she was susceptible to music in certain
degree, but there was nothing in 1t to
make her so apprehensive, so nervous, so
overwrought. She had made brave ef-
fort to talk lightly with Lawrence, but
she was afraid every moment that he
would notice her preoccupation. She
could still hear the soft tones--Gladys
Gladys!----
"Er--I beg your pardon?" to Law
renee.
II didn't say anything" laughed Law
renee. Il wish l knew what you were
thinking about Just then" he added with
boldncss, after pause.
That's very frank, to say the least"
she said, trying TO arouse herself from
her reverie. You are practiclng what
you preach, | don't mind telling you,
though. ] was thinking about-about-
really, have forgottenl" Miss Montague
rose from her chair "A little wearily. Il
think must 60 up stairs now"
Lawrence had risen at the same time,
nd stood before her. In some way both OF
her hands were in bis; her eyes were on a