New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-07


happy. My friends don't call me fat: they say
I am lust plump enough. and surely ones
friends know more about one than rev chill
dren gathered about a hotel entrance.
It was lovely night. clear and soft. and there
was moon.
We walked out to the objects OF inter-
est" hut we found nothing more than con-
tented.looking Massachusetts village with a town
hall. an academy and factories of straw goods
and broadcloths. and shovels and so on But
even factories with straight sides and rows and
rows of windows will have kind OF look when
seen on a summer eve hing with the moon shin-
ing on them. and with the scent Of roses and
migonette in the air. Such scents have way
OF making me sentimental. and am inclined to
quote something from Lucille, but Amapei
doesn't like Lucille and SCOTS at II: but she
needn't. for she is liable to be sentimental her-
self. suppose all are subject to that liao'lity'
only It requires different exciting causes
We had turned into street where were severa!
large houses with piaZzas. and towers. ana
shaven lawns sloping down TO the road 1t was
here. evidently that the owners Of those shower
factories and shoe shops lived in kind OF
state as being the most ore-handed peoPi" III
tie town. Tueir daughters went to Wellesley,
and then used their education mainly as back
ground upon which to project references 10 the
time when was at Wellesley" or when was
a soph I used 10 be the greenest thing you ever
saw" But this is pessimistic.
Turning a corner came suddenly upon
grounds lighted by Chinese lanterns under which
moved fair women and brave men. Tables were
spread an orchestra began to saw and toot. men
went about with teacups and cake and icecream.
serving women who chartered and laughed and
uttered shrill Nttl. ordinations. and rounded
their eyes for emphasis.
II rather think that this is the lawn party at
General Jones's." remarked Amabel. and even as
she spoke some one rear exclaimed:
ooh. amt 1: funny? It's you amt it, Oh, Sue,
just come here"
7, was Miss Langthorne. radiant in pink silk.
and chiffons. and things that went far toward
giving her the senblance OF an angel beneath this
neon and these Chinese lanterns But perhaps
angels do not talk like that We do not KNOW
precisely how angels dc talk.
I, was evidently expected Of us that we should
pause in our walk so we paused close 10 the
picket fence that separated us from this para
disc
Mics Cummings came forward from group Of
men and women. She was followed by tan
figure in immaculate evening dress with white
rose in his button-hoe and an expanse OF shirt
front that was bewidering
Here Amabe, violently nudged me. HAVING
been nudced looked still more closely at this
tall young man, and recognized Mr. Thomas j..
Riddle-he Of the sweater and the bicycle.
"Oh. II I'd only thought, could nave got You
two an invitation Just as we'll as not, no" SAID
Miss Langthorne THE General would have asked
you. wouldn't you. General Jones Oh. do come
here a minute" reckoning with her fan TO rat
man with bald head and large. round. white
waistcoat
"I1.s no matter" responded Annabe hurriedy
I'VE couldn't have come
ooh YES YOU could; because you see you have
come Here General Jones. here are the ladies'
7 was telling about-the kitten. you lnow-aln't
il funny? lie: me present YOU toto ----
Amabel pronounced names in distinct
cold voice that would have rebuffed person I'M
like this person.
General Jones put out his hand In cordial
way and shook hands over the fence.
Come in, now, can't you?" he said Come
In and have a bite Of cake-there's lots OF 1t
and icecream Ladies always like icecream
Here mother" turning toward small woman
in black silk who was lowering over the nearest
table. come here and ask these ladies In. Lily
Langthornc was telling about them you KNOW.
The person addressed came primly forward
She was Younger than General Jones by good
many wears and was probably not his mother,
but his wife.
I'VE shall be v-ry happy to"---she began but
Lily I,angthorne broke in with her shrill
ooh didn't tell you? Now core. You don't
know how good the coffee Is. Nobody knows till
THEY'VE tasted T., Mr.. Riddle. go. please and
bring some coffe. and some gruo
As tho Young man turned away Miss Lang
,rorne leaned on the fence close to me and
whispered:
you see it's painted out.
! stared
.whv. the scratch. you know-the kitten.
didn't stay to make any response We both
,rrrea away We expressed thanks. Then we
Mastered; General Joness big. jovial voice called
after US. but we did not obey. l glanced back
when we reached the corner ! saw NJ Riddle
standing in front OF Miss Langthorne with
tray. They were both laughing.
We RETAINED from making any remarks. In
deed our silence was somewhat sombre. 1t
seemed quite dark after We had left the lanterns
and the bulbs holding electric lights that hung
over the tables and quite melancholy when we
could not hear Miss Langthorne's voce--for there
were portions Of the village where this voice dld
not penetrate.
was wondering how Thomas j. Riddle came
to be at the lawn party. After tina Amaze!
confessed that she wondering about the
same thing
Perhaps il NAV he as well to state jus, here
that part of the plot of this narrative Is this:
How came Thomas j. Riddle at General Joness
lawn party? When this is divulgcd the rest 81
the plot will be even more OF a skeleton than 1t
liz now And for the benefit of those who are
always shifting about for love stories. there Is
going to be Just the least little bit of love story
in this Just enough to save IT, proposal and
we'll either an acceptance or rejection, I'm no,
going to say which now.
When Amabel and / had reached the vicinity
of the hotel began TO loiter again. 1t was
really too pleasant go indoors. We sat down