Evening star., 1896-11-28

learned IN HarlS.
Won't you come in? am sorry my bus
band is not at home. Is 1t on account of
the strike you come? 1 feel very anxious.
Your mother called yesterday, and we had
a long conversation about it,
Yes, the mater takes a great interest in
the workingman, although l can't say l
do, myself. merely wished to have an in
formal chat with Mr.. Sartwell on the situa-
tien, and that is why called at the house
rather than the Office
Barney stepped into the hall and kept his
hat in his hand to show he had a hanson
waiting. He had no intention of staying
more than moment or two.
The door of the drawing room was
thrown open, and when the two entered
they found Edna Sartwell sitting there in a
deep chair, rea1ing book with such in
terest that she evidently had not heard a
word of the colloQuy at the door. She rose
In some confusion, coloring deeply as she
saw a stranger come in with her Step
mother. The latter said nothing to the girl,
but directed glance at her that, speaking
as plainly as words, told her to leave the
room.
Barney's first thought on seeing Edna was
that she was about to escape from the
room, and that this deserflon must be ;iiplo-
matically prevented. Barney's great bur
den in life, so he often told his friends, was
that the young ladies of England were In
the habit of throwing themselves at his
head, which remark caused Haldiman once
TO say that they had a quick eye for his
weakest point of defense. Now here was a
stunning" girl, to use Barney's own
phrase about her, who was actually about
to walk out of the room without casting n
second glance al him. A young man al
ways likes the unusual.
Not your daughter, Mrs. Sartwell?" said
Barney, In his most winning manner.
My stepdaughter,' answered the lady,
eoldly.
''Ah, I thought you could not have a
grown-up daughter" murmurad Barney
delfcately. He always found this particular
kind OF compliment very successful with
ladies well past middle age, and in this case
confidence was not misplaced.
DO net let me drive you away, Miss Sart-
WELL" he continued. II am Barnard Hope"
he added, seeing that Mrs. Sartwell did not
intend to introduce him, land l called to
see your father and talk with him regard
ir g the strike So, you know, 1t is a matter
that interests US all, and 1 beg of you to
join IN the conference"
The moment he mentioned her father and
the strike, he saw he held the attention of
the girl, who paused and looked at her
stepmother. That perplexed lady was in a
quandary. She did not wish to offend Mrs
Hopes son, and she did not want her STEP
daughter to remain in the room. She hesi-
tated, and was lost.
Pray let me offer you chair in your
own drawing ROOM" said Barney, with that
gallantry which he always found irresist-
ible 'and you. Mrs. Sartwell. Now we will
have comfortable informal chat which
know will be of immense assistance in my
taik with MIR. Sartwell for l confess l am
a little afraid of him.
Edna opened her eyes at this; she had
several times heard people say they stood
In awe Of her father, and she never could
understand why.
You see,'' chirruped Barney, "the mater
takes great interest in the workingman; !;
so do l." He thought this noble sentiment
would appeal to Edna Sartwel. II think
We alive alias it were-should feel a GER
tain responsibility. don't you know. You
hat + rry
Certainly. 1t does you great credit. Mr..
Hope" replied the lady appealed to. al
though she uttered the phrase with some
severity, as if it were an aspersion.
For workmen are our fellow creatures,
you know" cried Barney. with all the en-
thusiasm of startling discovery.
Am l my brothers keeper?' said Mrs.
S2rtwell, in gloomy tones.
Quite so, quite So" sssented Barney.
who took the remark as original. Il
couldn't have stated the case better If had
thought all day about 1t. Now, the mater
imagined that perhaps Mr.. Sartwell would
consent to meet the men and talk it over
making. perhaps, some trifling concessions,
aid then everything would be lovely. You
see what / mean?'
1T seems a most reasonable proposal
said Mrs. Sartwell, with a sigh, but my
opinion is of no value, especially in my
own house."
"Oh, don't say that, Mrs. Sartwell. 1 am
sure every one must value your opinion
most highly-every one who has the priv
iege OF hearing it. / assure you, l do.
Now, what 10 you think, Miss Sartwell?''
The young man beamed on the girl in his
most fascinating manner, but his charm
ing facial expression was in a measure lost
for Edna was looking at the carpet, ap-
parently perplexed.
Il think she said at last, that father
who Spends nearly all his time dealing with
the men, must understand the situation
better than we do. He has had a great deal
OF experience with them. and. as ! know
has given much thought to the difficulty, so
it seems to me our advice may not have
any real value to him.
Barney could hardly repress long whs-
tie. So this was how the land Law This
denure lliss actually mad an opinion of her
oNn, and was plainly going to stand with
her father against the field. Heretofore
everybody had always agreed with Barney,
excepting, of course, those raScally stu
cents, who were no respecters of persons.
and more especially had all women agreed
with him; therefore, this little bit of oppo-
sition, so decorously expressed, had a new
and refreshing flavor. The wind had shift
breeze
There, Miss Sartwell, you have touched
the weak spot In our case. Just what /
said to the mater. Mr.. SartwelPs on the
spot, said /, and he ought to know AL
most your very words, Miss Sartweu"
An or1inous cloud rested on Mrs. Sart-
wells brow.
Surely" she said severely, "the owners
about the way it is to be conducted"
The tendency of modern times.' cried
Barney, airily, waving his hand appears
to be entirely in the opposite direction my
dear madam. 1t is getting to be that who
ever has say In business, the owners
snail have the least And 1 am not sure
but this is, to certain extent, logical. !
nave often heard my father say that Mr..
SartWeli was the real maker of the busi-
ness- Why, then, should he be interfered
with?" GU
Edna looked up gratefully at the enthu-
siastc young man, for she not only liked
tne sentiments he was beginning to ex-
press, but she liked the manly ring in his
voice. e -A- AIS
And now, Miss sartwell, I'll tell YOU
Wnat propose. Have a talk with your
father. Then, if Mrs. Sartwell will allow
me, me- viii call again. and 1 can judge from
what you say whether 1t will be worth
while troubling Mr.. Sartwell with our ad-
vice vice T., You see, we have all the same OBJ
!ect In view-we wish to help Mr.. SartwelI
II we can. If We can't. then there is no
harm done You see what 1 mean?"
Mrs. Sartwell rather grudgingIy assented
10 this. Edna said nothing.
You see. ladies, 1 am an artist-a painter