Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-05-19

compound which defied analysis, bu
was apparently composed Of equal parti
of snow. drizzle and singing sleet; thu
wind caug it in sudden whirls anC
dashed it around corners and into tht
eyes and the coat collars of wayfareri
with gusty malevolence.
The streets were comparatively de
serted only such people being abroad
as could not help themselves. and these
plodded along with bent heads and 81
lent curses ON the night Even the pool
creatures who daily still the field of hui
mar. sympathy kept close within the
shelter of four walls, no matter how for
| lorn, and left the elements TO hold Wal
purgis night in the thoroughfares alone.
In comfortable easy char, in the
handsome parlor of an elegant up town
mansion, sat Ethel Cumberland reading
novel. Since her second marriage
life had gone pleasantly with her and
she was content. Cecil never worried
her about things beyond her comprehen-
sion, or required other ailments for his
spiritual sustenance than that which she
was able and willing to furnish; he
was commonplace man and his de-
sires were commonplace-easily under
stood and satisfied.
He liked pretty wife, a handsome
house. a good dinner with fine wine and
jolly company; he liked high stepping
horses. a natty turnout and the smile of
Vanity Fair. Ethel's tastes We're similar,
and their lives so far had fitted into each
other without single crevice. The
Cumberlands were grim and unbeuding,
it is true. and after that one concession
TO fraternal feeling, made no more; they
held themselves rigi1iy aloof from the
pair, and invested all intercourse with
paralyzing fornality. Ethel did not care
pin for them or their opinions; if they
chose to be old fogyish and disagreeable
they were quite welcome to indulge their
fancy. As long AS society smiled upon
her, Madame Ethel was superbly indif-
ferent 10 the Cumberland frown.
Cecil worried over it, as men will
worry, who have been accustomed TO
the adulation of their womankind. when
that adulation is withdrawn. HeI
grumbled aud fumed over their damned
nonsense, as he called it. and bored his
wife no little with conjectures as to
their reasons for being stiff and unpleas-
ant when nobody else was.
Since her return from her wedding
trip, which had heightened TO four
months amid the delights of Paris, Mrs
had found time for only
one short witt TO her little son There |
had beeih ch an accumulation of social
duties ali. engagements that pilgrimages |
over to Brooklyn were out Of the ques-
ton: and besides she disliked Mrs. |
Creswell. Thorne's aunt. who had charge
IF the boy, and who had the bad taste
Ethel felt sure, 10 disapprove Of her. 1t
was too bad of Nesbit to put the child so |
far away and with person whom she
lid not like; IL amounted TO total sepa-
'ation, for of course it would be impossi-
Die for her TO make such journey often.
When her time should be less occu-
ned, she would write to Nesbit about it:
her maternal solicitude found
Imple pacification in sending a servant
lcross at intervals to carry toys aud con
ectionery TO the little fellow, and to in
luire after his welfare.
The portieres were drawn aside to ad-
nit Mr.. Cumberland. in smoking jacket
nd slippers, yawning and very much
'ored. He was large. heavy looking
nan, very dependent on outside things
or his entertainment. Failing TO at
ract his wife's attention. he louuged
yer TO tile window and drew aside the
elvet curtain. The atmosphere was
eavy, and the light in front OF the
ouse appeared to hold itself aloof FROM
he environment in sulky. self con-
aimed way. All down the street the
ther lamps looked like the ghosts Of
ghts that had burned aud died ia past
ges.
A little girl with a bag Of apples in her
rostbitten hands came hastily around
ne corner and. going with her head
own against the sleet, butted into an ]
derly gentleman, with big umbrella, I
-ho was driving along in an opposite |
ERECTION. The gentleman gave the child
n indignant shove. which caused her to
at herself violently upon the pave y
tent; the bag banged hard against the {
ricks and delivered up its trust, and the I
pples scudded awsy into the gutter.
Cecil laughed aihusedly as the little
picked herself up crying. and
to institute search for the !
Iissing treasure a kindly policeman, !
no doubtless had children of his own.
opped on his beat aud helped her. I
iping the mud from the rescued fruit
ith his handkerchief. and securing
! again with newspaper and a stout
vine string which he took from his
'cllet; then they went away together,
lie officer carrying the bundle and the
hid trotting contentedly in the lee Of
m They seemed to be old acquaint-
ices.
Nothing else happened along to amuse
m. so Mr.. Cumberland let the velvet