The record-union., 1894-12-15

L IKE tnem, Tor L DelleVe them genu-
lne,' said the lady to her escort who was
apparently her husband.
Quite worth trip to America to dis
cover one exception to the opposite
rule" replied her companion with en-
phasIs.
These remarks were made in low but
distinct tones. If they were intended
Tor the ear of the Lessings, they pro-
duced their instantaneous ana desired
effect.
Mrs. Lessing glanced at her husband
and Haunted her head in way which
plainly said: John Wesley Lessing,
told you SOL" Miss Helen look ed with a
gratified glance of appreciation. Kitty
surveyed the pair coolly but not un-
friendly. Mr.. Lessing touched byssome-
thing akin to diSintereSted human SYM
pathy, became less tense in his grasp
upon his luggage and suffered his eyes
TO open wonderingly, while his son evil
deuced more than ordinary interest by
the rapidity with which he shifted his
stick over various portions of his face anG
head.
In moment more the strange lady was
beamlngly graclously upon all the Less
! ings. The strange gentleman, with few
well directed glances, had established a
| sympathetic understanding with the au-
thor of Cause and her mother; and they
| were directly all as Pleasantly chatting
together as though they had been old ac-
| qualntances unexpectedly reunited.
| '1t Is the pleasanteSt thing about ocean
travel" remarked the lady in the sweet
est Of tones, that formalities are abso-
lutely tabooed and that it is so easy to
know those one wishes TO know"
Mrs. Lessing returned her advances
with interest and said she thought so too.
My wife, Lady Rivington," observed
gave Helen noticeable pressure of con-
graduation, while Kate silly kicked her
brothers. stick, sis peculiar in her inn
pressions. With all the noble English
houses on our visiting lists, she has a
penchant for making her own friends"
No more than yourself, my dear" re-
torted Lady Rivington archIy. For a
| clergyman and banker, with the very
| arisUocracy of the church and the COM
mercial world at, may say within. your
| command, you are still a veritable re-
| cluse. Now aren't you really, Mr.. War
| ingY"
The miller became suddenly interested
at the name of Waring, and grabbed at
| his bulky pocket as If to make sure his
| wallet containing his letters Of credit had
| not been lett behind.
Faint flashes of intelligence perhaps
passed between the couple, but the gen.
tleman replied pleasantly:
well, my dear, you are more than
half right. We surely came to America
to get away for time from all that sort
of thing"
Here he handed Mr.. Lessing a tiny
card from delicate case. The miller
said "Ihankeew rather shortly, turned
the card around few times, put on his
glasses tumbingly, and then read aloud
as he would have ruminatively repeated
the name of new brand of flour;
Mr.. Herbert and Lady Rivington
Waring, Castle Void, Paddock Wood.
Iun bridge, Kent airing Bros, London"
Mrs Lessing here nodded ponderousIy
TO the couple for her whole family.
''Such noble, feudal sound," muir
INJURED Miss Helen.
''Guess it's the same crowd, Frances"
ton to the London bankers, Mr.. War
ing?" asked Mr.. Lessing, clumsily pro-
ducing his credit letters.
Lady Riviugton smiled her assent
sweetly, but her husband bowed stif1ly,
as though any reference to the weight of
workaday cares was hateful to him. He
took the prottered papers from Mr. Les
sing and examined them courteously.
Because" continued Mr.. Lessing
stoutly, Il thought meDby you'd know
if they're all right 1t means thousand
Husband, husband % groaned Mrs.
Lessing. "Such coarse business matters
are dIsagreeable to Lady Rivington and
her usband. Do leave your large prop
erty interests behind you with your ma
tive shores ~
"Eh? All right, Frances. Can't be
too careful, ennyhow," returned the
anxious miller as he replaced his wallet,
while he added: "Our name is Lessing,
and L wish L was t. home with it ~ After
which be tightly closed his eyes.
You see, Lady Rivington," began Mrs.
Lesslng, apologetically, my husband Is
a slave to money-making. The rest of
US, my children and myself, is differ
ent."
My mother is the embodiment Of
soul,' whispered Miss Helen tenderly;
while Kate giggled, her father opened his
eyes for an instant, and her brother
banged his head violently with his stick.
at is lovely of your daughter to say
that, Mrs. Lessng. Is she All invalid ?''
asked Lady RlvIngton, sympathetically.
Gracious men' snorted knate, over
come with merry wrigglings.
''Th-th-that's t-t-touch d-d-d-down on
Helen ~ whispered Washington Lincoln
Lessing, as his stick apparently became
engaged in a mimic football struggle
"Worse'n sick! She's a composer and
a joNer J" blurted Mr.. Lessing, at once
relapsing into silence.
Worse to them that don't comprehend
Genius ~ replied Mrs. LessIng with q
contemptuous glare at her husband.
You see." she continued wheedlingly to
the aristocratic strangers" our daughter
Helen is one of our American literatty.n
Indeed" and what a pleasure to
meet hern came radiantly from Lady
Rivington and her husband.
''She is going to write pieces on Yew-
rup," added Mrs. Lessing, with increas-
ing pride and Importance.
"Oh, mamma! You know l am only
jotting down a few wild thoughts and
vagrant observations" interrupted Miss
Helen, confusedly.
For publication, of course" insisted
Mr.. Waring encouragingly.
For publication" replied the miller 5
wife, solemnly.
How charming =" urged Lady Riving-
tor, with increasing interest. My hus-
band fairly dotes on literary people. And
your son ~ This, with a bewitching
smile upon the latter. who had got fair
start toward swallowing his stick whole.
"A university man." said the mother,
with brief serenity.
"a son of Eli-Eli YALE" chirped Kate,
saucily.
"L-l-left half back; an I-I'll M M
make center n-n-next year." explained
Washington Lincoln Lessing. "We'll
g-g-get Harvard where N-N-Nellie wore
the b-b-beads J"
More and more charmingr ex-
claimed Mr.. Waring, graspiug the young
mans hand warmly. Lady Rivington
lisa football enthusiast"