Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-08

tain than for the noun
| tain to go to Mohammed, quantities of hides
| are imported from South America, and other
countries where wild cattle are abundant, aud
| taken to these forests to be made into leather
Extensive tanneries are built with little villages
| OF laborers' houses about them and a short
distance from these may usually be seen an i'm
posing mansion. the residence Of the owner of
the tannery. The proprietors of these tanner
| les are necessarily men of wealth, and they
have an absolute control over their laborers, as
the land holders Of England exert over their
| tenants.
Lucy Drumgold sat in the drawing room
with a basket containing numerous balls of
bright-hued woods beside her. her slender,
pink-tipped fingers diligently engaged in stitch
ing the pattern of an elaborate bouquet of
velvet designed for q chair cushion. Her
father was the owner of one of these tannerias
of which l have been telling and man of in
huence In his county. His tannery and its sur
| roundings were known the village of Beech
River, and 1t was situated in a picturesque
valley with the oveliest of wild scenery about it,
Lucy was not the only occupant of the ROOM
Her brother Rob was louuging upon a sofa,
ostensibly reading book. but IN reality watch
ing with eager restless ewes still slender
Inquire at the opposite end of the long room. All
unconscious ofhis gaze Celeste Halbert stood
".
With her outward eyes she saw to the right the
tannery, long dark building. and clustered
abous 1t the low wOod-colored houses. Before
her was the lawn, partially shaded with its frs
and beeches and gay with flower beds arranged
in graceful shapes. Beyond 1T swept Beech
river, bright SILVER stream. To the left was
mountain covered with dark hemlock, the
cloud shadows floating over it. and above and
around all was golden sunshine, blue sky and
a perfect June day.
But Celeste saw none Of this. Her great
brown eyes looked straight before her, beyond
the brightness OF the summer day. into the
gloom Of her future life. Over her mental Wis
ion dawned drear November sky, and a pail
OF winter wind and sleet seemed to dampen
and chill her spirits and weigh them down.
She was Lucys school mate and dearest friend
both having graduated but few DAYS before
She had come with Lucy to spend the summer.
and tor the future there was all manner of de-
lights IN store for her for she was beauty, a
belle and an helress. But now, Only twelve
hours before she had received the announce
ment that her future had been suddenly swept
away by the speculation of an unjust guardian,
ana she had only two slender hands between
her and future want. And they were such
helpless hands. Lucy. delightfully."- impractical,
since she had never known the want or value
OF money. had arranged it in her own mind and
generous heart that Celeste should spend the
remainder of her DAYS at Beech River. but
AT this moment Lucy paused in her work
and drawing sken OF delicate pink wool from
the basket beside her. she slipped il over the
back of low chair and began to wind. But
the sheln knotted and tangled provokingy and
as her patience was so seldom tried, she had but
small stock on hand for USE
20 Celeste ~ she called in voice that resem-
bled grIeved woOd-rObins. 80 Celeste what
shall ever do? The only skein Of the shade
TINS side OF the city. and just see how tangled it
is My rose will be quite spoiled without it,
Celeste turned slowly from the window and
There were tears OF vexation in Lucy's childish
blue eyes, but Celeste's were hard and dry
Perhaps can wind it. dear" she said
WIKI little murmur of profuse thanks Lucy
subsidized into the depths OF her easy chair
while Celeste patiently undid the knot and
wound the skein. Rob. still silent over his
book, watched the two girls. Lucy was deli
cate blonde, IA dainty as white lily; but
Celeste was very vision of beauty. An oval
face with IA pale, creamy COMPLEXION. brown
dreamy eyes. arcIed brows, smooth forehead
and rich scarlet lips. ard all framed in abuud-
ant braids and bands of jet black hair. A form
slender but beautifully nodded, willowy and
quietly graceful; thoroughbred patrcian air
about all she did or said. a voice like a siren 3
ard smile and glance like sunlight.
Rob had a blonde complexion and hair like
his sisters. but, unlike her, he was tail, strong
anu muScuIdr ne was Il young man o. tne
mind and noble. generous impulses and Oh
| this particular morning struggle was going
on IN his heart. He was only twenty-one, his
collegiate education unfinished. He knew his
father had a course of travel mapped out for
him as soon as he LEFT college, and knew too,
that he expected great things of him and his
future. FOR ne was an only son. But he loved
that sweet woman who. with face paler than
usual on account of her recent trouble
patiently bent over he- task and he wanted her
for his own.
There was a slow firm step in the hall and
MIR. Drumgold paused a moment at the open
door.
robert" he said. 81 wish to see you few
moments in the library
Rob rose dutifully and followed the foot
steps into the library. When both were seated
Mr. Drumgold began:
Robert. there are turning points in every
young mans life, and l believe you have
reached one now"
How so, father" Rob asked quietly. but
with foreboding in his heart as TO what was to
| come.
You are in love with Celeste Halbert," he
replied.
Bob started to his feet.
my son" resumed MIR. Drumgold, testify,
81 beg you will not annoy me with such abrupt
| ness of manner. 1t is not necessary for you to
confess it. for every member of the household
is aware Of it, OF course l don't blame you in
| tLt lCaSt lne girl Is beautiful enough 10 lure
any impulsive young man like yourself to his
ruin"
Father" trying to keep down his anger, ''it
| is strange you never thought it necessary to
warn me before"
mo heroics Robert, if you please. dislike
| them exceedingly. Heretofore there has been
no warning needed. knew you were in love
with the girl, but was sure you had no idea of
| immediate marriage. She has been unfortun-
! ate in losing her property and, as she has no
near relatives to care for or support her. it is
l not unnatural for you to wish to do both. Nc
doubt you are quite ready to die for her or dc
any other impossible thing. Now. l do no,
wish to discuss the subject at all; l have COM
mand and suggestion to make. and then you
may CO. forbid your marrying before you
are twenty-five years of age. And / think j,
| better for all of Us to have Miss Celeste leave
| the house within a week"
For a moment Robert stood regarding his
father attentiveiy. There was no pity in the
| old mans gray eyes, not . relenting curve in
| the thin firm lips.
| Father" he said at last, shave you anything
| to say against Celeste?'
Nothing Mr.. Drumgold answered sharply
| "except that she is woman, and a beautiful
one, too. And II had my own way, you should
| not speak to a woman in the next five years"
Robert turned and walked slowly away.
| Meantime. Celeste had finished the skeiu, and
tossing the ball into Lucy's lap, she turned
| again to the orel window.
| You re such a darling" purred Lucy, in q
| kittenish way. II never could have any pa
thence with tangled skein. And this one ran