The Van Buren press., 1894-10-13

Mamma was silent II not convinced,
but Harold Phelps remained an agnos.
tic Not that hethsd any idea that the
splendor Of the parlor decorations re.
suited from tho plundering Of the
china closet. The purchase of the
''stuff," a. he called II, was but anoth.
or bit Of Rirlish extravagsnce.
.I thought better OF you, Elincn"
he said, viewing the table with evident
disgust. Nobody knows what have
suffered In other peoples parlors 1T
tered with dinin4.room trash. Post
lively, when I see one OF those ever
lasting little tables with its four or
six or twelve cups am tempted to be-
come profane or to stcslthily tip 1t
over. know shall do SO some time.
What will people drag into their par
lors next? had hoped one spot might
remain unprofaned by the rage for
china
Elinor's scarlet lip curled, but she
kept silence. Had she spoken she
would have been rude, something un-
pardonable In Van Toolxer. Harold
Phelps hnd laughed 1t her Theosoph-
ical society, he had doubted the In
fallibility Of lbseu, he had publicly de-
clared that he didn't care, and worst
OF all. he had lntimAted that II Mamma
Van Tooker's French had not been
that of Stratford atte Bowe she would
have hustled out OF the house uncere-
moniously certain volumes which lit
tered the library table. Still, Elinor
credited al this 10 the fact that young
men do not like intellectual young
women, and that he thus covered his
humiliation at having fallen in love
with her. But to hout her cherished
china was IN unpardonable offense.
That Harold and she had been sweet
hearts since he wore knickerbocker
and her dusky hair fell in ripples over
her shoulders-Miss Van Tooker de-
tested curls-did not, IS might be sup
posed, facilitate the course OF true
love. Neither did Harold's bank ac-
count, for she, foolish girl, had scruples
and feared people would say she bar
tered the Van Tooker claims of long
descent for mere money. The perfcc-
tion of HArold's attire did not win her
heart, for being intellectual she rather
admired the ill-dtting coats and lavish
display Of throat affected by the pro-
fessors who addressed her various So
cicties. So when he ventured to offer
her his heart and hand on the very
evening he laughed at her china, her
sharp "No!' proclaimed SO clearly the
- that h.
smiled to himself In spite of his disap-
pointment.
OF these things Elinor was thinking
when the bell tinkled and Christine,
appearing from the laundry, ushered
into the room young lady whose fur
wrapping and q fluff Of yellow hair
shone brightly.
Nell, you darling how ars your
Gilmore emerged from the sealskin
embrace and held her friend at arms
length while she inspected her.
Elizabeth Ware, wrote you
letter last night addressed to River
side, Cal, and now you walk into our
parlor as scalmly as though you had
announced your, arrival weeks ago."
II came hurriedly. We are on our
way to New York to meet Harry.
Isn't 1t too lovely2 I've volumes to
tell you and l know I'll never get
through in three hours. Mamma was
driving out this way, and l begged
her to drop me here for lunch and
meet me downtown later on"
Another ring at the bell. The long
suffering Christine again discarded
her apron, rolled down hcr sleeves
and this time ushered In Harold
Phelps
"Miss Ware, to speak POLITICALLY, I've
been following tress of your yellow
hair all morning. Irwin Brown told
me you were In town, but doubt
whether instinct would have led me
here when missed you at the hotel II
! hadn't caught glimpse of your hair
in carriage coming this way. l
thought l couldn't be mistaken, so
here ! am In pursuit OF information.
Harold, find you are rs cruel as
ever; at your old tricks Of raising my
hopes only to let them fall again.
First. you have been In pursuit Of me;
Pm immensely hsttered. Next, it's
only for what know; I'm Of secondary
Importance"
First, always, because without you
l could not obtain my information,
and II. Julia did not learn the name of
that perfectly delightful boarding
place with those elegant people you
described in your last letter before she
starts ont west tomorrow she would
never forgive me. Besides, assure
you, really wanted to see for myself
the wonderful effect upon you Of our
Italy"
''Then you must stay for lunch; can't
he, Nell? There isn't time to see
Julia, and it will take hours to tell it.
Nobody understands going west until
she has tried It, SO shall begin at the
very first When she goes to buy her
ticket"
Elinor arose with an assumed calm
which would have been awful had her
guests understood it.
Certainly; shall be delighted to
have you stay, Mr. Phelps. must tell
Content that you are here, Bessie. Go
on with your instructions to MIR.
Phelps; will return in moment"
"Elinor Van Tooker," moaned Con-
tent, what In the world do you mean?
Company to lunch, Christine washing,
and nothing 10 eat! You have lost your
senses"
use yours then, Content She in
vited herself and Of course l am very
glad to see her, but Bessie has always
had everything and can't understand.
nd that Dire ad ful virl invited Harold