The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-05-12

poverness OF the Hastings with whom he had
spent several weeks in the mountains one
Summer five years ago. But he had given
himself time TO think. and had fed between
two days. much 10 his later satisfaction.
Then there was that dear little Miss Dixon,
whom he had met at the seaside. 1t had been a
glorious evening-that last. They were sitting
on the veranGa, where they might see and yet
be unseen. The soft, dreamy strains OF q
Strauss waltz foated out from the ball room.
There was the pale, silver light of the moon,
the murmuring ripple of the waves on the
beach-and all that sort of thing, which you
have read about so many times that you have
learned to skip it in the novels
Well Elsie was going away-too, too soon.
They had talked in sighs and murmurs for
half an hour; Arthur's left hand clasped
Elsies dimpled right one. his right arm was
about her waist; both hearts beat vigorously,
as hearts will on such occasions, and Arthur
had Just opened his mouth to tell Elsie what
she had been waiting for for two weeks, when
there was step close at hand, a rustic of skirts
and the cooling voice of the maternal Ferris
said:
al beg your pardon, but viii you please excuse
Arthur few moments? There are those mis-
cradle business affairs that must be attended TO
In time for the late mall"
And TINS he was saved for second time for
Elsie had not cent, and neither had heat
least rot many of them. There were several
other occasions when his own long head or his
mammals had helped him out-for Arthur was
somewhat susceptible. But it is not of these
/ have to tell.
sirable young person had presented herself.
True. she was not so young as she had been;
but, then, that was mere trihe. She was Just
his own age, of as good family as his own,
and an heiress of considerable degree She
was not-well, not exactly handsome and was
rather inclined to what is politely called
plumpness: but Arthurs mamma and Arthur's
long head gave their approval-and Arthur did
not care who she might be, so long as she pos
sessed the above qualifications, particularly
the one involving a very neat fortune in her
own right.
Besides Arthur was getting bit desperate
In fact. he had so far exceeded his own salary
and the maternal allowance (which, by the
way, was as large as Mrs. Ferris could afford,
that nothing short of miracle, or matri-
monisl alliance such as he had been so long
seekn~ could save him from getting into very
deep water
Aud thus IL came to pass that this Winter
found him engaged to Miss Bernice Field,
much TO the satisfaction of his mother, who
was visiting in New York, and to whom he
had, like the dutiful son he was sent the
gratifying news at once.
he was disappointed. however. on one point.
He had pleaded artfully for an early wedding,
hut Miss Field had set her foot down with
much frmuess and said sle must go through a
long probationary perod-all of which Arthur
failed to understand He had always been
noted for his persuasive powers and had fiat
tered himself that Bernice, with her gentle,
clinging, bud-like ways, would succumb at
once
Now, be IL known that Miss Bernice Field
had not arrived at years Of discretion for moth
ing. Neither had she, not unprepossessing
young person, with nearly half-milion in
her own right, passed through the experiences
Of ten seasons without gathering unto herself
much knowledge of the ways and wiles of
wicked man. She had had, as might have
been expected, offers TO high number; but
thus far. the gentlemen concerned had failed
By reason of their unanimous desire TO touch
her purse-to touch, in the first place. the all
important key TO it, which was hidden away
H. her plump bosom. And Miss Berniee Field
was worldly-wise in her day and generation.
She was certainly in love with Ferris-there
could be no doubt of that. 1t is quite as GER
tain that she was very seriously in love with
him; hut with the wisdom born of experience,
she did not let him know one half of what she
felt for him.
If any one had told Ferris that he was Just
now in very shaky position he would have
scoffed. His chum, Ed Cross, who was spending
the Winter at the house during Mrs. Ferris's
absence, had once suggested that there's
many slips" but Arthur merely SHE'D shoe
ct him, and whistled serenely.
lt was in this frame of mind that one even
Ing in February he ran lightly up the steps of
the Field mansion to call on her whom Cross
unfeelingly referred TO as his little lady-ove"
IL was warm, and the front-door stood ajar
The little footman was not in his accustomed
p re. so Ferris with the air of one who knew
Just whore he was going. stepped inside From
tie open door o. Papa Fields study came the
sound Of voices in earnest discussion, and one
Of them spoke his own name.
he halted. irresolute as would any one else
under ike circumstances, Papa Field was
speaking;
'Of course. my dear, you are your own
mistress, and can only advise you. II seems
70 me, however, that you have done a very
foolish thing to engage yourself to this young
Ferris. True, he seems an exemplary young
fellow, and he comes Of az excellent family:
bit 10 is well known that ne has only Z small
allowance from the estate ia addition to a beg
garry $1,000 salary. how DO you know ii IS
you and not your money chat he wants It is
8 brutal question I know, but IL is one you
have probably asked OF yourself a halfdozen
times concerning other young men,
Arthur, out N the hall, standing in much the
same attitude child assumes when speaking
Its first piece" in school, WINGED, but waited
Tor the answer. 1t came in serious, thoughtful
tones which indicated plainly that Miss
Bernice, also, had considered this very mat
ter.
Nine; am uresyou misjudge him, papa.
Oi course, j understand how he is situated
financially, and-and all that; but am sure
he is honest and honorable, and that he-he
cares for me very much. There are thousand
ways by which / can learn much that you can
not and -
Yes, yes; i understand. But suppose you
should put him to the test do you think he
would come ugh-ah-er-unscathed as it
weref Suppose you should tell him that had
lost all your money and mine in unfortunate
speculation; that we were beggars and had
not a dollar we could call our own. Are Won
afraid 10 try him?"
There was a brief silence. Then:
don't like to tell a falsehood papa: but IL
would be only white lie,' and perhaps for
the best. Yes, I'll try him tomorrow night"
That's my dutiful girl. Now run along and
let me work"
There was the sound of kiss and the per-
spring young man in the hall fastened TO get
out OF the house. He wanted time to think
but the first thing that entered his head. as he
reached the sidewalk, was fanciful picture of
the petite Miss Field, with her 100 pounds of
avoirdupois, running along" and he smiled
broadly. Then he walked rapidly over TO the
next street TO catch a cab TO his club, there to
hold pow-wow with Cross
On the steps he hesitated moment "Had
] better go back now?" he thought. "No:
she won't have her little tale of woe ready
and might be put out if / call tonight i
might give myself away, too. Better have