The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-22
CCopyright. 1896. by Bachelor. Johnson ana
Bacheller.l
PART ".

taken heed OF the doWnBers IlsITuc-
tions TO recommend 10 him a cheap
abiding place where he was at little ex-
pense for meals--for a walk in Central
park.
1t was an unusually mild day, al
though ice held the ponds, and snow
lay under trees, that, when the sun
hhone bright, stained the whiteness at
their feet with purple isles of shadow.
After coquetting for awhile, the sun
had gone altogether into seclusion, leav-
Ing the great city's pleasure-ground en-
veloped III pearly mist, through which
the sounds of far-off fog-horns on the
river, the whizz of elevated trains, and
vehicles rumbling along the adjacent
streets, fell deadencd upon the ear. A
lover of natures moods might have
found especial charm in the eerie look
of the gray-grcen landscape. in the
woou-smeiis called focth Dy uampness,
in the promise of spring that thus IN
sinuated itself amid the assertions of
rude winter. But Teviot had for such
things neither sight nor hearing. Per-
haps, for the first time il his life the
little lord was possessed by distinctly
Keen sensation of anxiety. Hurrylng
through the frequented portions of the
park, he reached a certain bosky dell.
its branches alive with gray squirrels
and chattcring sparrows, and disap-
peared within its precinct.
Since the first meeting at Newport of
his lordship with Miss Meggs, hardly
a day had passed that he had not reck-
lessly exposed himself to the influence
OF their society. In vain had been
marshalled before him-at the horse
show, the portrait show, the opera
house. everywhere "a glittering
phalanx of maids and matrons illus
trating American charm and beauty.
To all other women save the two fair
sisters from Chicago, who were known
to be handicapped by the terms of an
cxasperating willard no one knew
which of them Teviot preferred-he
was as adamant. And as attentions to
girls under their circumstances were
as good as disinterested, some people
even began to look on Teviot as that
rara avis among visiting Englishmen-
q man who was marrying for love.
To prove, however. that he had not
altogether forsworn his nationality,
his lordship accepted on all sides, and
with no discrimination as to the givers,
invitations to clubs, coaches, yachts,
dinners, luncheons, suppers, hunts and
visits out-of-town. The Inconvenience
of future call to repay these civilities
in kind upon his own soil was the less
feared, because of Teviots long prac-
'tice In the matter of contracting debts
he had no intention of ever being able
to liquidate.
1t was pleasant life, and soothing
TO one who had for some time seen
nothing but the cold shoulders of re-
spectacle people in his own country, 10
he caught TO the bosom, as it were, o.
select American hospitality; to be told
off in every company, to the society ot
the most dignified matron or the
choicest young g;rl to have precedence,
everywhere, over the white-haired ana
reverend signors of the republican beau
monde. Teviot, who cared little for his
rank. and less for his title, was actually
puzzled TO understand the extent OF his
own deserving in the minds of these
patriotic Americans. But, being a man,
and young one, he thought it all very
Jolly, and certainly an immense i'm.
provement upon what he would just
now have been enjoying in his native
island.
In the merry-go-round of dining and
wining and junketing with his New
York admirers, however, Teviot had not
lost sight of the main chance. New
York, for an episode, was pretty fair:
and the Yankees on their own ground,
were good sort certainly. But Lon.
don, and Belmorc, and rehabilitation of
his bank account were the objects to be
str1ven for. Save for his ENHANCEMENT
with the Miss Meigs, Immediately upon
arrival, he might even now have had
mind Mt rest, with the certainty of fetch.
ing his own price in the matrimonial
market Of America.
III sometimes occurred TO him 20 won
der whether there had been any mis-.
chief in the intentions of his first pa
troness. in 90 soon running his bark
upon the shoals. But Mrs Wing. after
her return To town for the winter, was
10 fully occupied with her own infelici.
ties with Mr.. Wing. Lord Teviot had no
opportunity 90 call her 20 account. Tba
fact was. that though he admired the
elder of the two sisters more than any
other woman he had seen, and was fully
persuaded she would fll all personal
requirements likely 10 be made upon
his countess. his vagrant fancy had
actually attached itself with enthusi.
asm 10 Olive.
Never had Teviot experienced. az tho
hands Of any woman. so complete
mental and moral oyerhauling as that
bestowed upon him by this young girl
At TO moment. since their acquaintance
set in. had he been able To decide
whether she was in jest or earnest. Hef
purity of mind, her downright speech
hkr wit and mer1-iment. were reyela