The morning call., 1892-11-17

In his road cart, which cart was shining in
the rays Of the morning sun, as was also
his handsome face.
George met him at the door before the
maid could answer the bell.
us Miss Bergen" the caller began with
questioning smile. offering TO shake hands
Mr.. Parhtt ignored bis hand.
'She is not at home" he said deliberately,
with no trace OF his accusing conscience in
bis displeased face.
To admit Hugh Dudley and hear him and
Constance cbatterIng and giggling for two
hours in the parlOr was too much. He would
not have it.
The young mans face fell perceptibiy.
when will she be at home?" he fall
tered, embarrassed between bis disappoint-
ment and his awe of Mr.. Parftt's stern
looks.
II have not the remotest idea," George
responded.
Would the fellow keep him there utteriug
mendacities all day? Not but that the
cause was good and sufficient, but he was
not accustomed 10 living.
I'm sorry" Hugh Dudley declared.
He fingered. looking touehingly unhappy,
only Mr. Parhit was not touched. II look ed
as though be was waiting TO shut the door.
and the visitor retreated down the steps
and into his cart.
Ellen had the ginger tea ready. II was not
strong enough and too sweet.
And when Ellen, having been somewhat
afresh. Mr. Paritt drank it and resumed his
shawl and his chair and his uncomfortable
reflections.
The doOrbell rang again. George thought
he knew the ring. Sure enough it was Tom
Danforth!
Laid up?" that young man demanded.
coming In breezly, big and broad-shouldered
and Drlght-eyed and cheerful. "Too bad
On your lungs? Have you tried a eapscum
plasterY can get you one in five minutes
If you want me to-"
TITS in my head" said George. dismally.
But he smiled his pleasure at Tom Dan
fOrth's appearance, and wrung the young
mans hand and took his coat and hst.
I'm glad you came-glad to see you! Stay
to lunch, wont your Have this foot rest.
Constance is home-upstairs." he said IN a
breath. Just walt" he ended. eagerly.
"Pll go and get her."
But he came back sulkily.
'She went out with Kate, II seems" he
explained in an injured manner. II didn't
know il. They're always gadding about.
Have some maTaschino or something's"
Cordial at this hour of the day?" Tom
protested, looking the soul of Measuring
good nature and betraying no excitement at
the fact Of Constance's absence.
He even took up newspaper.
HE doesn't care" George unused gloom
lily. MAYBE he isn't in love with her after
ALL"
And he sat and eyed his stalwart friend,
and thought what good husband he would
have made for Constance, and how blind
and contrary and eXasperating they all
we're and how helpless he himself was to
arrange matters as they ought to be ar
ranged. He fell into unhappy silence.
"Has the cashier of the Freesborough
Bank really gone off with the funds?"
said Tom, with his handsome nose in the
paper. There's rumor to that effect.
Stewards his name. He's itch enough any,
how. He ought TO be"
The bell rang aganl 1t was Mrs Parftt
looking pretty and pink-eheeked after the
fresh air, and as blitne as though going to
the Carpenters reception in her old beaded
wrap were not going to be horrid neces-
4 "Oh, YOU, Tomp she cried, cordially. 81
am so glad! Poor George is so wretched
with that cold, and You can cheer him up!"
II don't need cheering up" said George,
budding his shawl closer. Where is Con-
stance?"
"ConnyP" said Mrs. Parfitt, brightly.
"Oh, we met Hugh Dudley in his cart and
he took COMFY along with him. What
stylish turnout he basp
Mrs. Parfitt unpinned her bonnet.
HE did, did hep"
Der husband twitched In his chair so vio-
lently that his elbow knocked the ginger-tea
cup to the floor. Tom picked it up.
Il wonder, If that scamp has taken the
money, II 1t VIII burst the bank?" he said.
ITS shame"
What Dank?" Mrs. Pariit questioned.
An animated discussion ensued. Mrs.
Parftt knew the defaulting cashiers daugh-
ter; Tom Danforth had known his brother.
George, who knew more about him than
either Of them. contributed nothing 10 the
conversation. He leaned back and shut his
eyes. He confessed to himself that he was
entirely out of temper; but he had-cer-
tainly be bad-ample cause for being So
ample dIstractng cause. He even began to
think about going upstairs to bed as a tem-
porary escape from his Affections.
And Pm sorry enough for Sally Stewart