Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-12-02

Any one acquainted with New York
genealogy will appreciate Reginald
Van Swellum's thoughts and his posi-
ton. There is no older nor prouder
family on all Manhattan Island than
the Van Swellums. Three of the name
were members of the Governors Coun-
ell IN the early days of New Amster-
dam. They had possessed many fine
cabbage patches on tho outskirts of
the settlement which still remain in
the blood of the family. Twenty-storv
buildings rear their Iugly heads where
once the good Van Swcllums dug, hoed
and weeded when not busy with the
affairs of State. Reginald Van Swell
lum was not the brainiest of his line,
q fact OF which he was perfectly aware.
In consequence of tins knowledge he
wisely refrained from entering any
business or profession, not wishing to
lmperil tie fruits of his ancestors
industry, He was not energetic, and
not being energetic, did not care for
society. 1t bored him. 1t was easier
to read about il, comfortably settled
III an easy chair before bright, cosy
fire, with pipe in his mouth. His
/ mother was Il widow, who lived quiet
| life, between her old house on lower
Fifth avenue and her comfortable
/ place up the Hudson. 10 have her son
safely and properly settled was her
sole care. She had chosen for him
Angelica Billions. To be sure, Miss
biillons's family on her. fathers side
was not all that could DO desired, but
then there was money. and that covers
n multitude of sins. The only draw
back to the match was Reginald. But
doubtless he, too, would have sue
cumbod if it had not been for the
clumsy Italian on the elevated train
who discovered to him more charm
ing prospect in life.
Van 5wellum's sensibilities were
shocked by his ideals connection with
the Ruination Dyoing Company. lie
felt that his blood called upon him TO
forget, ana for the next few weeks he
busted himself with the work Of for.
getting as lie had never busted himself
ut anything before. He would fix his
favorite armchair before tho fireplace,
in which the logs cracked right mor-
rlly, and with a pipe in his mouth
would endcayor to lose himself in
some stirring novel. By and by the
book falls from his hand and he is
gazing absently into the cloud OF gray
smoke curling up from the bowl.
What is that in the depths Of the
thick whirling cloud? A blue curtain.
Van S5wellum leans forward and gazes
intently. Black letters are formins
there. Now they stand out clearly
and boldly--A Fatal Love- A smile
OF content spreads over his counte.
nance, for now the blue veil is lifting
and Il sweet face beams on him from
the gray cloud. He starts. The smile
departs. Over the fair face with its
crown of rich hair more letters are
forming. He reads: The Ruination
Dyeing Company.
One day he gave up forgetting.
"George!" he called. His man ap.
pearcd at the door,
"Pat that new grey spring suit in
bag for me. No. Just the trous-
ers. They'll DO"
george looked surprised.
"You'd better let me attend TO what
you want, sir. [ can help you.
81 wish you could, my dear man;
but you can't"
A few minutes late he was hurrying
along Sixth avenue. He came to
halt in front of the shop and looked
in. She was behind the desk. He
hesitated a moment; then entered res
oluteIy and threw his bag upon the
counter. Sho hurried to wait on him,
and, MS their eyes met, started. She
recognized him and blushed. Van
5wellum blushed, too, to the roots of
his hair. 1t had just occurred to him
THAI she would remember him. She
recovered herself and said pleasantly:
what can we do toc you?"
He silently fumbled the bag and |
finally succeeded IN opening it.
81 want 'em dyed" ho stammered.
"Whut color?" she asked, drawing
a pencil from behind her ear and |
preparing TO make u note
"Woll- er-hanged if I know.
What's a good cclor?"
Inc tiln llttlc young man with q |
crooked nose who had been moving
some cases about the store stopped |
his work and grinned at him.
The sight of him roused Van Swell
lum.
"l1ake 'em black" he exclaimed. |
"Of course l wanted 'em black"
With that he turned the contents of
the bng on the counter and rushed |
away.
All thoughts of Angelica Billions
were shattered; all Difference for his
mothers wishes gone. Ofcourse, she
would object. Bat who could help it?
1t was fate. Suppose that grinning
idiot was making love to her there in
the shop every day. He would not
stand it To the winds with the Van
Sweilums and the Van Swellum blood
He was man, and for once was going
to have his own way.