Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-03-15

lOOlll bbbls |
The duchess with a rougish wink to
her friends, and . whispered, "Study
him, and tell mo what you think when
he leayes!" met tho rector most
graciously; and introduced him cor
daily to Lady Gray Mode, whom he
noticed was exceedingly stout and
showed decided asthmatic symptoms; to
Lady MiDcer Mathor, spare of flesh but
ample in adjectiyes, to the Honorable
Mrs. Edgefurther, square MS hewn tim
Der, dark and hard as antique onk, and
rigid as ships steel mast, as If bound
to make up in austerity what she lacked
in title; and to the evident pet of the
party, Lady Odde Posthume, q charm-
| ing maiden of 80 or thereabouts, with |
| jelly-ike body and quiverlng little |
head like painted apple, with whom,
there were secret hopes in the breast of |
the duchess, OF entangling her hayward
son, Lord Vaudeville. ~
Any one could have seen that the
young rector, who found himself quickly
seated among the noble ladies, was a
| good deal of man; good deal of q
man along all the lines of body, face
and brain. He was powerful fellow,
physically; more Morse than British IN
color and lock; with fine, firm mouth
and square, determined chin an almost
classic nose, a broad, white forehead and
large eyes of grayish blue, which looked
kindly and squarely at those before him,
resting on the face of each without bold
ness, but with steady look of attentive
ness, of inquiry, or Of both.
There was but ono pair of eyes about
Ballnagee that ever looked unguailingly
back for any time into his. Those were
Lucy's; and Mr.. Brisbin always remem-
bered that when he first began noticing
this characteristic in the girl he had
some yagarous ethical reflections as to
whether, in the world at large, perfect
purity OF nature, positive fearlessness Of
spirit, or irrevocabe hardness OF heart,
gave human eyes their most unflinching,
; steadfast glow.
ave are all dear friends together, Mr..
, | Brisbin," began the duchess wheed-
, lingly. "We are all in perfect sympathy
i about the matter of Lucy" here all the
ladies nodded and smiled land we all
wish TO know, briefly, how you have
= progressed with the strange creature,
' since l decided to permit the N!oggins
family to remain at Ballnageo. 1t was
really asking too much Of you, Mr.,
Brisbin, to attempt the reformation OF
. Lucy; but do hope there have been re-
y wards to mana man of your calling
y Mr.. Brisbin."
- at has been pleasure to serve your
: grace;" he replied measurodly, aftel
looking into her pleasant face for d
y moment with unusual effectiveness
\ And then, as if hardly knowing how
else to answer her until better intima
:, tons of her own thought were given
- "She is but little different than whel
you left for the continent"
y "Thc same daredevil, mink ant
. poacher?"
- "The same impulsive, happy-hearted
~ fearless, generous natures" returned tn
70 rector, as if politely emphaszin!
milady's line of thought and words, Blu
conveying in his manner and information
u a world Of different meaning.
"Indeedm exclaimed the duchess
~ scarcely Disgusting her contempt in he
!. quickly following smile. "po yo
10 think there is any hope OF a moditica
% ton of her character 7"
"That depends, your grace"
=, "On what, Mr.. Brisbinl"
He was never more squarely cornere
re in his life, but he did not show it as h
lse gently tapped the fingers of his tw
eu hands together, laid his head back upo
=; his chair and apparently studied tn
III rich frescoes of the ceiling.
er "Well, chiefly upon environment an
v association. She has really noble quail
~ ties. If these could be wisely deyelope
a. and nurtured-"
10 "She could almost become the wife-t
" a nobleman. suppose?"
~ eff he were truly noble man, yes 7
ne Mr.. Brisbin's "living" was good on
vi it was held at the within of the master
mistress Of Ballnagee; and he had new,
ik- before been quite 80 frank in the Q!
az preston OF sentiment
IN "Could perhaps become suitab
ut, successor to nyselfg" pursued tt
duchess.
by She knew where to stab the deepes
lde but she could not tell whether or not 81
nd had given a cruel hurt, from the kind
nj impassiveness of his face.
We ''Oh, could not say that, your grac
5ht Indeed could not even think or wi
ms it,.
ull The eyes of the duchess were full
'e9 banter and smiles, but steady blaze
'ho vicious triumph was the deeper light b
hind.
"Mr. Brisbin," she concluded, risi
YIN and changing her manner instantly
ing one of sympathetic concern; "you ha
49, made me deeply interested in this 81
ne, My friends here are interested, too.
ing she about the grounds nowP | wou
the like to have the ladies get a glimpse
her."
,aI 81 saw her in the courtyard as I cal
49,, I'M" he answered with something lik
NM tiny cloud drifting across his fine fa
gu "oh, very well; thank you" The r.
'h- tor had already bowed to the other lad
and was leaving the room, "We M,
Wv see YOU often while we are here. A
II another matter, Mr.. Brisbin." I
duchess came quickly to the rector's s.
onh and took his arm confidentIally.
Ar. you can find that girl the right kind
vi !; a husband-rather soon, Mr., Brisbir
IN, real splendid fellow you know--why
'our he were handsome and able as yourst
Mr.. Brisbin, | wouldn'tmin seeing Il
NOT the Ballnagee living was made Il ?
petual one, and give my cheque 70
tair- thousand pounds to boot! Good aft
with noon, Mr.. Brisbin."
her Whatever the rector might h,
liter thought, he parted smiiingly from
3all- duchess and descended the grand stt
had way as sturdiIy as he had come.
long The ladies were now together in
'nce, little bunch moving toward the CT
but groined window overlooking the au
able ranrle of the castle, where the rec
licry had told the duchess the girl Lucy
were just been seen.
"Humph p wheezsd Lady &c
that Molde; "a very sef.possessed yol
irits. man for rector. I'd have no airs
her that around my estates. These fell'
- 4.