Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-02

respect. I called on the vicar before break
fast on Monday morning. He greeted me
with evident pleasure.
Yes" said he, rubbing his hands con-
tentediy, Il think l have managed it this
tine" and he hummed light-hearted tune
What is the form of statement" l ask
ed. for l could scarcely believe in the good
news of his success.
why, this" answered the vicar: AL
though there was no reason whatsoever to
think that Col. Merridew stole the Mahara-
}ah,s rub.es, yet any gentleman may well
have supposed and had every reason for
Maharajah's rubes.' -
That seems er--very fair and eoual"
said l; after moments consideration
Il think so, my dear young friend" said
the vicar, complacently. 4 imagine that il
Will put an end to all trouble between your
worthy father and SIR Matthew"
I'm sure it must" l agreed
Il have modelled it," pursued the vicar
holding out the piece of paper before him
ana regarding it lovingly, Il have modelled
the form of it on
ION the thirty-nine articles T suppested
thoughtlessly
Not at ALL" sad the vicar, sharply. "On
parliamentary apologies"
AS may be supposed. Sylvia and spent a
day OF feVeriSh suspense, mi: gated only by
one another's company The vicar rode first
to Sir Matthew's; he reached there atahalf
past II, and remained to luncheon Start
ing again at (evidently>Sir Matthew had
peeti hard 10 moVe) he reached my fathers
az I'D and was closeted with him til I
O'Clock. L had parted from Sylvia about 6;
and came to dinner. My father was then
alone l looked at him, but had not tba
nerve to ask him any questions. PresentIv
ne came and patted me onNhe shoulder.
nave made a great sacrifice for your
sake, my boy, said he. Sir Matthew Mar
sion ana his daughter will dine here tomor-
row; ana ne flung himself into chair
Hurrah!' l cried springing to nv feet
ne wear is coming Also pursued nv
father. with sigh; and he looked up at
oncie JOINS portrait, which hung over the
manteipiece. Il rope l have not done
wrong he added, seeming to ask the col
onels pardon in case any slight had been
put upon his hallowed memory. The coloneI
smiled down upon us peacefully, seeming
to enjoy the prospect of the glass of wine
welch he held between his fingers and was
represented as being about to drink.
ITS wonderfully characteristic portrait
OF dear old Uncle john" said my father
signing again.
Now, reconciliationS are extremely whole
some and desirable things; in this case in
deed, a reconciliation was an absolutely es
sential and necessary thing, since the han
plhess OF sylvia and myself entirely de-
pended upon it, but it cannot, in my opin-
ion, be maintained that they are in them
selves cheerful functions. After ALL they
are funerals of quarrels, and men love their
quarrcls. The dinner held to seal the peace
between Sir Matthew and my father was
not enjoyable, considered purely as an en-
tertainment. Both gentlemen were stiff and
distant; Sylvia was shy, embarrassed; the
! vicar bore the whole brunt of conversatio
| In fact, there were great difficulties 1t was
1mposs1Rae to touch on the subject of the
Maharajah's rubies, and yet we were ali
| thinking of the rubies and of nothing else.
At last my father, in despair, took the bull
| by the horns. He was always in favor of a
| bold course, as Uncle John had BEEN he
| said
Over the mantelpiece." said he, turning
n &c xrith
you will observe. Sir Matthew, a portrait
| of the late Col. Merridew. 1t is considered
an extremely good likeness"
Sir Matthew examined the colonel through
| his eyeglasses with critical stare
1T looks said he, very like what l have
| always supposed Col. Merridew to have
| been, indeed, exactly like"
My father frowned heavily. Sir Mat
thew's speech was open to unfavorable in
terpretat ton.
You mean,' int Il posed the vicar "a man
of courage and decision? Yes yes, indeed.
the face looks like the face of just such a
man."
Poor Uncle John" sighed my father.
His last years We're embittered by the I'M
founded aspersions--'
II beg your PARDON said Sir Matthew,
politely but stiffly.
by the unfounded but very natural ac-
cusations" suggested the vicar hastily
ITO which he was subjected" pursued my
father.
"Or-er-may we hot say, exposed him
self?" asked Sir Matthew.
I'm fact, which We're brought against
him-wrongly but most naturally" suggest
ed the vicar
Matters looked as unpromising they
well could. Sylvia was on the point of
bursting into tears, and my thoughts had
| again turned to an elopement. My father
rose suddenly and held out his hand to Sir
Matthew. Again he had decided on the
| bold course.
Let us say no more about it, he cried
generously.
with all my heart" cried Sir Matthew,
| springing up and gripping his hand.
The wears eyes beamed through his
| spectacles. 1 believe that touched Sylvia S
| foot under the table.
I'VE WILL" pursued my father, "remem-
| Der only one thing about the colonel. And
| that is that one bottle remains of the ia
| NOUS old pipe Of port that he laid down.
In that. Sir Matthew, let US bury all I'M