The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-06
THE MUTABLE MANY
ROBERT BARR.
Copyright, 1895. bp Robert Barr.
BY
CHAPTER VI.

on accomplishing the feat, can DO the distance
In seven or eight minutes, and even the slowest
OF locals" tnkos but twelve. Barney was an
energetic young man, aud. where a check
was concerned, knew the dangers Of delay; so
he resolved. being IN tho neighborhood. TO 10
TO surbiton. see his mother, and settle the busi-
moss. The young man often treasured him
self by saying inwardly that he was no fool,
aud the few minutes he had to mediate on tho
situation, as he paced up and down No. 8 plat
form waiting for the train. enabled him 10
formulate a course of action.
Barney had a well-defned mental procrv-
BY which he arrived at any plan CT procedure.
''Thc great thing. my boy" ne used to say,
''ta 10 anow exactly what you want, and then
70 for it." In going for 1t the young fellow
trampled on anything that came in his path:
truth, for example. His one object was sue
ooss-the kind that succeeds. Having attained
that, he was careless of the means.
In this instance what he wanted was to pre-
vent any interference with Sart~ell, and he
knew, II he boldly opposed his mothers
scheme. such opposition would Inevitably bring
about tho meddling he desired to avoid, and at
the same time place himself in her bad books,
which was financially undesirable.
ut will take a bit OF thinking" said Bar
nes to himself. thus showing that he corract-
y estimated the difficulties of the situation.
buu TehllLeu tue u ~ bc-
tween Wimbledon and Surbiton.
Surbiton is a most attractive Surrey suburb
with an excellent service of trains. The houses
are largo. detached. and of the class known in
estate agents vocabulary as desirable" Stock
brokers in the city are attracted thither as
much by the rapid train service as by the de-
pirable residences; thus many Of them live
there. The rich and retired tradesman and the
manufactures in a large way have given the
place an exclusiveness which 1t could never
have attained II 1t had been a mere resort of
noblemen, or a place for the housing of the
working classes. 1t is the rich and retired
tradesman who has given England its reputa-
ton as q cold and diGnifed nation. Nothing
can compare with q 1rst-class compartment
from Surhlton-"vauxhall and Waterloo.
only"-for rigid exclusivenesa Sometimes an
unfortunaso duke or marquis. coming from his
estates in the Southwest. chances upon the
Surbiton contingent, and makes an innocent
and friendly remark. He is frozen into silence
by the icy stare Of the other Ave occupants Of
the compartment.
Surbiton. to a stranger, has the look of q sea-
side place. Some of the streets are broad and
divided by narrow railed-in parks. There ARE
benches here and there, and trees everywhere.
while an assembly hall in the centre of the
town. and a sort of marine parade along the
river. and a band stand and military concert
every Wednesday evening during the summer.
give to this charming suburb the air of q coast
resort, lacking only the long, spidery. cast
iron pier, which Surbiton may yet build over
the river into the Hampton Court grounds.
where in spring tho waters lie like a broad
yellow ocean. When that pier is built. the
charge for admission will doubtless be four
~pence-double the Brighton price, for Surbiton
is prone to attest its exclusiveness in . manner
tbat aDnpala IN the financial ima0iDafion- II
Is proud that its local rates are high the Sur
biton Improvement Committed being elected
TO attend to that matter. and that q frst-class
season ticket costs two pounds moro than to
any other place an equal distance from London.
Tta Hope residence was a large. square. yell
low house, rather old-fashioned-'an imposing
mansion" was the phrase that caught Mrs.
Homes eye in the Times before she induced her
husband to buy it-and it stood in an extensive.
~well-woode grounds. Barney drove up to 1t
IN one Of the open v~ictorias which stand for
hire at the station, a class OF vehicle that adds
to tie sea. side appearance OF Snrbiton.
Telling the man to wait, he sprang up the
steps and knocked. for there was nothing so
modern as a bell at the front door. He found
his mother in the drawing room. and with
her Lady Mary Fanshawe. who had driven over
from her fathers country place in the Dorking
direction. Lady Mary was a nice girl, rather
shy, who blushed prettily when Barney came
in, and mad Il great admiration FOR the young
mans hitherto unappreciated artistic talents,
liking "A painter better than a manufacturer.
Her father, having ascertained definitely that
Barney's possession of q studio would in no
way Interfere with his ultimate coming into
the proprietorshlp OF the remunerative fac
tory. made no objection 10 the acquaintance
ship between the Hope family and his own.
"How.d..do. Lady Mary" cried the young
man. sbaLinG hands with } IT. How are you.
mater?" he added to his mother. kissing her
on the cheek.
Barnard" SAID the elder lady. with a touch
OF severity in her tone. II did not expect to zee
you In Surbiton SO soon. thought you would
attend to the business | spoke Of"
Its all been attended to, mater. I don't
let the grass grow under my feet-not that it's
o good day for grass, ether continued the
young man, cheerfully, warming his hands at
the fire. 'Beastly weather." he remarked to
Lady Mary. who assented to the
Yes, mater, my motto Is. what is worth
doing is worth doing quickly-speedily done is
twice done-I think there's a proverb to that
effect, don't you know. II there's not there
ought to be-"
Lady Mary rose to leave the room. as mother
and son had evidently something to discuss.
sit down. child" said Mrs. Hope. 1T is
nothing private. The men at the works talk
of going on strike. The manager is a stub
Torn, unfolding man. given even to browbeat-
Ing his employers"
Bullying. call It," interrupted Barney,
who now stood with his back to the fire, his
feet well.apart On the rug. His mother went
on without noticing her sons Interpolation:
80 it seems to me that such a man. utterly
lacking in tact. might not, perhaps. be mind
full Of tine feelings OF those under him. We
all have our duties toward the working class.
. fact many, alas, appear to forget"
Lady Mary said softly. with her eyes cast
down, that this was indeed the case.
80 you saw Mr.. Sartwell, Barnard2"
'Oh, yes. | saw Sartwell, and had O talk
with some Of the men with the -ah ring
leaders, don't you know"
You mean the leaders, Barnard"
"Yes.s something of that sort. don't pretend
TO understand the bally workingmen, you
know, but there's lots OF sense in what they
sa,. They know what they want"
did you fud AR. Sartwell obdurGteT"
.nl l1.az ,.a, mn ynntar Gurt,uan'u tha