The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-10-04

When Gerald Singleton was in Rome wor-
Shipping Art, although in the fitness of
things he should have been in the Temple
studying jurisprudence and otherwise quail
flying himself for a legal career, he received
a shock. He was only 81, so he took it
easily-in fact, he took most matters in life
easily excepting pictures and Greek marbles
and other things with which he ought 10
have had nothing TO do But to hear that
Mr.. Justice Singleton, whose only child he
was, had suddenly taken it into his head to
marry again was sufficiently startling for all
that.
He was with friend, whose acquaintance
he had made in Paris, when he got the news.
They had just had breakfast, and were puff
ing the matutinal cigaret.
"That's dreadful bore" said the friend,
who was young painter, with views" and
visions of the time when he should make
a school" and who wore his hair long pre-
maturely "That's dreadful bore, Single
ton. l suppose you will have to 60 back for
the wedding?"
4" / suppose / shall" said Singleton " il
seems due to ones father to attend his we'd
ding when one can Fll start tomorrow.
Pratelli promised TO show me that thing he
is doing if | went round to his ateiier at i.
Let's stroll on"
Pratelli's." thing" was SO interesting, and
the discussion that followed proved so en-
crossing, that it was not until evening that
the letter in Gerald's pocket-book was re-
membered. When he reread it he observed
by the date that it had been on his trail for
nearly three weeks, and that the wedding
must be over.
"Isha'n't be able to be my father best man,
after ALL" he remarked what a bother =
or wouldn't ones father make one his best
man? l don't know. I'll run over to Eng
land to congratulate him, anyhow, and give
my new mamma my blessipg-and we'll
meet in Paris next month"
He packed his impedimenta, and made his
adieux accordingly. But Phomme propose,
ct la femme dispose, as he always said III
looking back, and he was not destined TO sip
mazagrins on the Boulevards again SO soon
as he thought.
1t was a drizzling January afternoon when
he reached the Twickenham house; and,
springing from the cab, he hurried up the
steps. He had neglected to wire that he was
arriving, and there had been no one at the
station 10 meet him.
When the servant opened the door, he
FASTENED without inquiry into the drawing
room. The lamps had not been brought in
yet, and at first the freight did not reveal
to him that it was occupied-just for mo-
ment.
A woman was standing before the window,
looking out upon the lawn and dripping
trees. His father was not present.
1t was a long room and his entrance, if
unceremonious, bad been quiet; she did not
hear him till he spoke, the woman who stood
with her hands behind her, looking out at
the dreary view. Gerald paused an instant
in perplexity, and wished that she would
turn.
81 beg your pardon" he said: "I-er-I
thought my father was here"
OH" she exclaimed, and moved forward
with extended hand,
Itwas most astonishing could scarcely
have been 20. Not 20, and rs pretty as she
was young! The man who had come down
to congratulate his mamma" gazed in be-
wilderment
Do sit down." she said, and I'll ring for
lights, and a brandy-and-soda, or whatever
else you want It's odd for me to welcome
you, isn't it? I'm glad 1 wasn't out"
"Er-thank you," said Gerald, gulping.
"Er-I'll have tea if you don't mind"
Teal" she echoed. Only that this could
not be, he would have thought she said it
with contempt.
II am very delighted to meet you" he
went on. He had been prepared with filial
salute, but withheld it. My father is well,
I hope?"
"Oh yes" she answered; "he'll be sorry
he was not at home. We expected you in
time for the ceremony, you know. Webber,
let US have tea at once, please, and -
won't you have anything laid for you in the
dining-room?- ?-No ?-and bring in the cigars
and cigarets."
The lamp rays showed her even prettier
then he had imagDed-a face with laugh
ing mouth, and eyes that had q suspicion of
mischief in them; the complexion OF baby.
Gerald was fond of his father, but he could
not help remembering that he was one of
Her Majesty's Judges, and had the gout
And what have you been doing?" she
asked. Had good time?"
" Pve seen great many beautiful things"
he said-"a great many wonderful things.
One must 90 abroad 10 understand what Art
really means. In Paris, for instance, the
very atmosphere is artistic-I dare say you
have noticed it. Here, in London | mean,
Art is dead, and we have only its legacies." "
What are the horses like over there ?"
she inquired; "they don't compare with
ours on the whole, do they 2"
l can hardly pretend to be judge of
horsehesh," said Gerald, rather confused !;
"your own tastes, perhaps ?"-
ooh, l like horses, and dogs, too" she
replied. 81 love them! Your father has
given me a ripper-a lady's horse, you