The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-10-09
A FOOLISH MAN.

Il was parhaps foolish idcn, but was
young at the time and II struck me as
singularly effective. had been working
very hard on another novel, and ! had
gone to Eastbourne to recuperate, to amuse
myself, to do nothing. was able to afford
holiday, as my previous book, "Eve's
Dilemma" had been enormously SUCCESS
full. l should add that write as ERIC
Evershed," but my name Is really Edward
GrahRmo.
Yes, had gone to Eastbourne, and It
was nfter had been there about week
that was introduced to Miss Patricia
Holt. To explain why my introduction to
Miss Holt was noteworthy, it is necessary
to go back q few days--ln fact, TO go back
to the morning after my arrival.
was sauntering on the terrace after
breakfast when saw girl approaching
who Immediately riyeted my attention. I
am not certain that sho was exactly beau
tiful, though am quAe sure IL would be
wrong to describe her as pretty" but
there was something In her face striking
and uncommon. She looked clever girl
more than that, girl whom 1t would
bo very charming to know. She was walk
ing beside bath chair, the occupant of
which was middle aged lady, who was
she turned her head and without tho
slightcst suggestion Of coquetry lifted her
eyes to me. Perhaps ! amor used to be
at 80 years-impressionabl was in
stantly conscious that was glad ! had
chosen Eastbourne to idle in. felt that
my walks would not be quito purposeless
henceforward 1t was a small place, and
hoped might pass the girl with the gray
eyes that afternoon.
did not, but met her again upon the
terrace on the morrow. Evidently Ii was
the custom of the mother and daughter to
take their exercise here every morning,
and every morning accordingly 1t became
the scene of my own perambulations too.
There was never an opportunity for my
addressing them, and anxious as was to
make their acquaintance my visit would
doubtless have terminated without that
contamination being attained but for q
lucky chance.
One evening on turning into the bar of
hotel near my rooms for whisky and
soda met friend Of NINE Charlie Ather-
ly. He had, he told me, only run down
that day, was awfully glad to see me, etc.
Our rencontre ended by my arranging to
call for him on the following morning to
have SWIM
er, and drifting to the terrace came face to
face, almost as we touched It, with my in
cognita and her mamma. Atherly took
off his hat. and his bow was returned.
He knew theml Was there ever such good
fortune?
"Who are theyf" ! asked as we passed
on.
MRS. and Miss Holt, ought to call
on them"
"You know them SO wellf"
"Oh, very well. / used to know the
old man too. He Is dead"
ave often noticed them" said ''I
should like to be introduced"
"Oh, certainly" Atherly replied. "I'n
introduce you with pleasure. She is
very nice girl, Patricia Holt"
"Sho looks 1t. She looks CLEVER one
also, Is shef'
"Yes, she Is. As literary gent you
ought to suit her. BY the why, what do
you call yourself now, 'Grahame' or Ever
shedf"
81 call myself 'Grahame,' of COURSE"
answered. "And for heavens sake don't
drag my book in. Nothing Is more om-
barrasslng when one is introduced. In
nine cases out Of ten the people haven't
read 1t, and ono feels the oompletest fool
alive"
We wero repnssing the band stand, and
Miss Holt was sitting down, the bath
chair at a standstill by the rails. She
smiled at my friend afrosh. He paused,
shook hands. In another moment / was
being presented and saying How do you
dof' So began my friendship with Miss
Holt.
For 1--WE minutes have boon looking at
a word have written considering wheth-
sr I ought TO erase It. Friendship"
Was 1t friendship, or was 1 really in love
with her? Or was it only flirtationf I
cannot decide Lot friendship" stand.
She had voice that gave distinction to
'oommonplaces. But she uttered common
places very seldom, and her voice was de-
lghtful always. I know. as one docs
know these things sometimes, that she
was glad to have me introduced to her, aud
had never enjoyed an hour more than
did tho ono In which wo spent chatting
there listening to the band.
When at length we separated and my
friend and crossed the parade together
Atherly said to me- "You are taken, old
mani
tIf"
"ob, yes-youl It was obvious And
Miss Holt did not seem to end your ad-
miration distasteful. -
what nonsensel'' But was enchanted.
"It's n fact. I've seen her with lots of
men, and know her She talked to you
enthusiastically-for Miss Holt"
She is reserved as rules"
Tho least bit In the world perhaps.
She gives one the idea of being bored in
conversation with most men,"
What arc her tastes-her predilec-
tions2'
"Oh, sho will tell you all that soon
enough herself. expect. Indeed can't
defined She roads great deal, adores art
In every shape and form and Is very mu-
steal. II you understand people like Tur-
ner and Wagner, you will be In great sym
pathy with her. As for myself, don't,
and i don't pretend to. She doesn't think
anything Of my intellect, but she likes mo
and treats me as a good natured Philistine.
She is very frank, Patricia Holt, and she
likes oandor In Others tell her plainly
that for me to care for o piece OF music
there must be a tune in 1t, and before
can appreciate picture must be able to
understand what 1t means. She laughs
and accepts my Ignorance as part of me.
II affected knowledge that didn't pos
sess and posed to her she would bowl mo
out In five minutes and despise me-
did like Wagner, and believed ] knew
something about art. The more heard
Of Miss Holt the moro believed we should
get on together. l had wanted to know
her, and now was certain that should
find har inteuselv aimnattcat I askad