Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-06-21

he was SpO1lt--deplOraDlv. aDSurdlv
spOilt. But. so far, that was perhaps
the worst that could fairly be said
against him. There was genuine man.
illness still. some chivalry even, vet
struggling systematically to make itself
felt. and-what was practically per-
haps of more account as Il preservatlye
some small amount of originality in
his character. He had still Il good deal
to learn. and something too. to un'
learn before he could take rank rs
postmaster in the stupid worldliness
of his class and time For he was
flattcred himself. but young enough
to affect being both to the extent of
believing his own affectations real.
He was popular: his position and IN
come We're fair enough to have secured
this to considerable extent i'll these
socially speaking. casy-going days.
even had he been without the further
advantages Of good looks and Il certain
arrogance. not to say inSolence of bear
ing, which. though nothing can be ac-
Quired with greater facility and at less
expenditure of brain tissue, appears
to be the one not-to-be disputed hall
mark of the period.
Why he went to Mrs. Englewood's
reception that evening he could
scarcely have told. or perhaps he would
have vaguely shrunk from owning even
to himself the real motives-of sincere
though feeble loyalty to old aSsocia-
tons, of family stirring gratitude for
much Kindness in the past-wllich had
prompted the effort. For Mrs. Engle-
wood was neither very rich nor very
beautiful. nor-worst of "nors very
fashionable; scarcely. indeed, to be
reckoned as of nOtre monde in any
very exclusive sense of the words.
though kindly and fairly refined. ire
proachable us wife and mother. and so
satisfied with her lot as to be uninter-
estingly free from social ambition.
But her house was commonplace, she
herself not specially amusing.
If she'd be content to ask me there
when they're alone--I like talking to
her herself well enough" thought Des-
pard, as he dressed. In his heart,
however, he knew that he would not
do. He was more or less of a lion
from Mrs. Englewood's point of view;
she was not above Il certain pride in
knowing that for "old salle's sake" she
could count upon him for her one
party Of the season. And for this. as
she retained zeal affection for the
man she had known as that delightful
thing-a bright. intelligent and TN
spoilt boy. and as she thought Of him
still far more highly than he deserved
to be thought OF, her conscience left
her rebuhed.
Year after year, it is true. her hus-
band wet-b lan!:eted her innocent pleas
ure in seeing the young mans name
on her invitation list
THAT fellow! In your place, my
dear Gertrude!" and an expressive rails
ing of the eyebrows said the rest
But. Harry" she would mildly ex-
postulate, you forget. I knew him
when he was-''
$50 high-at Whipmore. Oh, yes; l
know all about it, Well. we'll. take your
way of it; it doesn't hurt me if you in
vite people who don't want to come
But who always do come, you must
allow she would reply triunphantly.
''And think themselves mighty con-
descending for doing so,'' Mr.. Engle-
wood put in.
You don't do Despard justice. It's
always the way with men, 1 suppose"
Come now, don't be down upon ME
about it, he would say good naturally.
81 don't stop you asking him. 1t isn't
as if we had daughters. In that case
-" but the rest was left to the imag-
nation
And this particular year Mrs. Engle-
wood had smiled to herself at this point
of the discussion.
Zone can make plans even though
one hasn't daughters" she reflected.
IF Harry would let me ask him to din
nor. ro,x--111t know tboro'c No c1,ouco
Of that. And, after all, good deal
may be done at an evening party. I
should like to do Despard u good turn
and give him start before any other.
IF could give him hint! But then
there's my promise to her father-and
Despard is sure to be sensitive OH those
points. I might spoil it all. No; shall
appeal to his kind-heartedness; that is
the best. How tender he used to be
to poor Lily when she was child!
How he used to mount her up on his
shoulders when she couldn't see the
fireworks! will tell Maisie that story!
1t is the sort of thing she will appre-
ciate.'
1t was hot, close evening. Though
only May, there was thunder in the air,
people said. Despard's inward dissat-
isfaction increased.
Upon my soul it's too bad he ejac-
ulated while examining the flowers in
his buttonhole. why, when ones made
up ones mind to do disagreeable
thing, should everything conspire to
make it more odious than it need be,
wonder? I have really--more than
half a mind-nOt to-"
Poor Gertrude Englewood, at that
moment smilingly receiving her guests!
She little knew how her great interest
in the evening was trembling in the bal
ance.
1t was late when he arrived. Not
that he had specially intended this. He
cared too little about it to have consid-
cred whether he should be late or early,
and, as he slowly made his way through
the crowd at the doorway. he was con-
scious Of but one wish-to get himself
at once seen by his hostess, and then
to make his escape as soon us possible.
As to the first part Of this little pro-
gramme there was no difficulty. Scarce
~ did the first syllables Of his name,
1.Mr DeSnnrl NOrrayS' fall on tho