The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-09
HER N THEIRS EXAMPLE,
A STORY BY K. 6. H.

the Nicara-ua Canal scheme, the most
recent Arctic expiration, and the hAe'
were out OF towr. Consequently thefe
was nothing left ioi Mr.. Brunne, art
colnoisse,.r. literary critic. nnd all that.
but TO pun his cigar dredBily M the
nicktring nre.light, watch the shadows
play about the walls, and muse IN
cloud OF smoke. This he had OFTEN zone
before. He was At home IN World "a
memories. though no one had SusptC''N
for years that the Keen critic could rear,
~ feel. so rigidy had be trained hithSei
TO all appearances.
lie he'd been the victim OF ore love
affair. That was when nc was scarcely
twenty three. His hance yielded 10 opl,
side influence IN the shape OF aiEuip'n.'
against BrInnc's passion Tor BdHpl'"e
eloped with his FIRST cousin for con
fence, who died In year, iolo"ev ~
husband 10 the grave SIX inoht"e ta.e''
a,1 Rr,lnne who had meantime REFORM
cd chiefly through spite. found hlHse't
the guardian OF pretty ofOMn-t'.H
baby named Elise after her mother "
whom she bore striklnS reseu'piaiNe,
seventeen years had passed, ana the
dlgnifed club-man had never been known
10 smile twice at the same woman some
soid he would never marry; others
thought II "a pity for so handsome
home to be without Mistress one or
two bold chattorboxes whispered mat
nreffN MafN NOuIu Nv St3t W t1dAttA
Ia her mothers discarded conquest Some
~ tho gossip reached the clubmans ears
Ito only smiled carelessy with a trife
~ cynicism, and said nothing. Mean
time ne did some vigorous thinking. In
deed. ne had reflected on one subject
for a couple Of years. And very pretty
subject. 100.
Forty one tomorrow" ne muse,.. as
the yarihued blazes In the rear OF the
crate cast some quaint shadows about
the room. Then he peeped out OF the
window at the cold. pale moon, and pun
ed his cigar languidly for inspiration.
There are no two things in the world
productive of more sentiment than
kl moon and a mellow cigar. They
worked wonders with Brunne's stfed
impulses though he was not prepared
TO admit IL even TO himself. Twenty
two yeafs-not so ridiculous a 49, diff
ference, after all. Dignity is no barrier;
women like 49,"
lie did not complete the sentence, but
tossed his cigar aside with some impa-
thence. and entered the broad hallway.
A bell boy with short jacket and brass
buttons played a tune on his oVercoat
with a whisk- broom for which he was
given a coin. and a moment later the
clubman was on the street.
CHAPTER II.
II was half past u when he inserted
his key in the nght-latch, feat WHICH
unlike many typical clubmen, ne ac-
compnshed without difficulty lie was
surprised when he peeped through
crack In the door and found Elise bend
ing over a manuscript AS he entered
she looked up with start
'CNhy. little authoress," said Brunne,
81 thought you were sound asleep two
hours ago. and here you are, sunday
morning, worrying over that sketch. IL
NO4ln have StAil
at home and made you sing for me. by
the way. an acquaintance of yours viii
dine with us tomorrow. You haven't
made another appointment
NO; but who IS heY' she asked curl
ously
Young Hamilton, of the Monthly Re
view You hadn't forgotten him.
and l shall not be likely to forget
him soon He's rather riGid critic she
glanced shy'y at the manuscript
Somewhat discourag!ng, eh?' smiled
Brunne
she puckor,I her lips and looked pref
tier than ever 81 won't give up though,
she declaTei resolutely. I'm just conceit-
ed enough tc believe l can retouch II to
make ii readable. WIN you look over 1t
sometime and tell me just what you
think OF u2'
I'VE read it,"
ION. You nave?" Her face grew ami
mated with curiosity. And now give me
your candid opinion Remember, honor
bright Don't be- afraid you'll discourage
me-"
lie looked serious. Il think it excell-
emit said he.
and you're not prejudiced in my fav-
orr
Not prejudicrd in your favor" he re-
peated grayely. Indeed. ] was little
prejudiced in your disfavor before l eX-
amined the sketch. You have talents
worth cultiyating.'
The Girl looked little puzzled. But
Mr.. Hamilton doesn't agree with YOU
she said. after some delay casting
skeptical look at the loose pages HE
evidently thought 1t failure.
Mr.. Brunne shrugged his shoulders
with a world of meaning. You mean he
simply rejected it," he suggested in his
pointedly skeptcal manner, whlle men
tally arguing that the ambitious young
woman unconsciously drifts towards a
brainy man who TO all appearances IN
Intentionally demonstrates her intellect
ual inferiority to himself.
A thoughtful expression flashed over
the girls face. ~ -e-s." she said, hesl-
tatirg; but that was only polite way
OF expressing his ohnlon
Not necessarily" replied Brunhe'
Then. why was IL refused?
He arched his brow significantly, ana
that same suggestive smile played over
his Hps a moment. The girl left her
chair. and. laying her hand gently on
his arm asked with that delicate per
suasiveness accompanying a womahN
curiosity: Wont you tell Elise? l know
by your manner you're not so candid as
you might be-
Had Brlinne's club companions seen
him al this moment they would nave
been astouiShed. That cold proud de-
meanor which the outside world had al
WAYS associated with the man gave
Mace 20 q tenderness of look ana tone
which sprung from a warmth purposelF
emofhered, though none the less impul-
siVe Every mans disposition possesses
a hidden quality revealed TO some one
person during his life; and Brunne the
cool. scrupulous critic and Brunne the
secret Worshipper OF an iTresistbiy beau
tiru1 Young woman were two different
Individuals Not every man can with
stand lie soft touch of woman who
has uncCnsciCusly taken up her position
On his heart There is something about
A. that thrills ana causes his blood 10
Jingle in his veins, wonderfully magic
power -. -, 49,.
deceiver" said the girl, pointing her
ieweled finger into his face. You may as
yell tell me; I'll take no refusal
and YOU promise 10 keep II secret =
yves. YES. / promise, she said, tighten
TING her hold on his arm with KIND oil
nervous curiosity. A.. $50.
Rrunne looked her straight IN tne eye
"IgsVe yo,, never suspected -"