The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-04-08
"A MAN FROM THE CAPE.


with pictures painted by men who were |
young enough TO know better, OF
sprawling ladies in green, scarlet land |
soApes, and blue angels. The frames
Formed in themselves q grim attraction
no most of the visitors; the catalogue
Iwas usually preserved by suburban
patrons for the purpose Of frightening
birds. Yet the gallery was not without
attractions on cold day when the wind
Ecut along from the Green park, down
lPiccadilly, racing another wind
(which was speeding madly along Pail
Mall with slight start in advance to-
ward Waterloo place.
\ "It does one good" said Mr.. James
vEMarchant, "to come to a show like this.
II ever go out to the Cape again"
(which you WON'T" said the young
lady.
'tAnd I feel wistful-"
'sAfal du pays" suggested the young
lady.
"Exactly. Why, then, I shall think Of
this hideous collection Of pictures, and
II shall feel recmciled to my lot. The
Cape is not all honey, bNt at any rate
you do get nature there. And nature
is always good"
II suppose these artists think she can
be improved by the introduction of a
little novelty"
II wouldn't" said Mr.. James Mar
4 Itchant, waving his stick round the gal
lery. II wouldn't give twopenoe half
penny for the lot of them"
'T don't suppose they would care to
sell them for less"
Mr.. James Marchant laughed good
temperedly, and touched her hand,
which happened to be resting ON her
knee. It was a very pretty hand and
very neatly gloved, and there was good
excuse for him.
"But there is something" he said,
lowering his voice, something in the
gallery, Ella, that would give every
penny have in theworld to possess"
"A picture?"
"Prettier than any picture"
''Statuary?"
'tBetter shaped than amy statuary."
'Not disposed of already"
81 hope not. There is only one diff
culty-I am not sure, if were to make
Ian offer now, that it would be ac-
cepted."
"How shall you find out?"
He rose and adjusted his frock coat
with the manner of man to whom for
some years frock coats had not been
familiar wear. He was tall, brown
faced man, with good deal of earnest
mess in his eyes.
"I shall ask Mrs. Beckett"
"Ol" she said. She gasped o little be-
fore she went ON. "And you-you think
my stepmother will be-will be able to
advise you in the matter?"
81 think she will" They walked slow
~ on the thick carpet to the swing
doors. Besides, it's only fair to do SO. 4"
"It seems to me-" she said, rolling up
her catalogue very tightly, rather an
sold-fashioned mode of procedure"
There is this excuse in my case.
Mirv. Beckett has an idea, am afraid
that have brought back from the Cape
untold gold. want to make her under.
stand that when say shall have to
work for my living, I really mean it,"
i "I am glad" she said, quietly.
IT shall see you tonight"
4 "I am not sure" she said, with her
little hand resting for moment in his
II think the invitation is for two only
"I have great mind, said Mr.. James
Marchant, looking down at her affec
tionately, Ito kiss you"
''That is no evidence of great mind,
she said, reprovingly. Besides, you art
in London now"
"And don't people kiss in London p
They don't kiss me, Mr.. Marchant.
II am very glad of that"
sand people don't talk of kissing al
the doors of picture galleries.
ST am afraid" said James Marchan'
apologetically, shat have much tt
\ learn before become recivihzed., Th,
Cape make one forget all ones man
ners."
n "It has not made you forget you
N friends," she said.
"There was one," he said, as he as
M sisted her into the hanson, "she wa
~ only small girl"
"Not old enough to count?"
"Of whom I thought every day Of m!
life out there"
There were tears in her eyes tina
challenged the lightness of her good
by. The small gloved hand was presses
N the big fist of the man from the Cap
A for one moment, and then he gave tn
4 address to the driver.
A bright face with the tears of happi
ness still there looked through the glas
as the hanson drove off, and Mr.. Jane
Merchant strode away with glad hear
ITO see a business man in Bedford street
For men who want to earn money mus
force their thoughts away even fror
the direction OF pleasant young women
It was by great dexterity that at din
ner in Duke street mansion that nigh
Mr.. James Marchant contrived to &c
himself paired with the excellent Mr.
1 Beckett. Mrs. Beckett declared hel
self enchanted; but this was SO frs