The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-20
A LITTLE COMEDY.

Roger Tinsley, Helen. his daughter;
Herbert Torrance and Mary, who Is only
suggested.
The gray haired man at the desk looks
up from the mass Of papers before him
and turns toward the door. His quick ear
has detected the swish of skirts in the
passageway. There Is but ono visitor who
Is permitted to thus invade his private
room unannounced. The door swings In
and a young woman enters.
"Ah, Helen" says the gray haired
man. "This is an early visit"
The young woman runs her hand oaress-
ingly across his scattered locks and, stoop-
ing, kisses him lightly OH the forehead.
Just as glad to see me, aren't you,
papaS" she cries.
She Is very beautiful young woman
and most bewitchingly gowned and booted
and hated, but there Is an expression of
discomfort on her well bred face that Is
not pleasant to see.
"And what Is the price of this queenly
favors" inquiries the gray haired man as
no leans back In his chair and looks quiz
xically at his visitor.
She grows grave In a moment and re-
CARDS him with . troubled gaze.
"There, there" no says. Don't worry
yourself over 1t. Speak up. What shall
It bep A bracelet, a coupe, a necklace?"
Papa" she says, lyon think I'm a
dreadfully selfish little beast, don't your
am; know I am. I've just been nui-
sance and bother to you over since-ever
since mamma died Don't contradict me.
Everybody knows it. I'm just selfish,
money spending, proud, little-little pig"
The gray haired man takes the daintily
gloved hand that rests upon his desk.
"Why, Helcn," ho says, whats this?
What's gone wrongs Have l ever denied
you anythingS"
"No, no, papa" che half sobs. you've
been much too good. You've spoiled me. "
Dear me, child, he slowly murmurs
show much you are like your dear moth
er!' He turns his head little away and
puts his hand over his eyes.
"There there, papa" cries the young
woman, and her soft cheek rests against
the gray hair. ~ didn't mean to distress
you. There, there! I am going to make
you pay for this yisit--oh, such price
But not now. no, not just now. Cousin
Mary il waiting for me In tho carriage,
and-and after awhile will come back
and tell you what tits. You are good ma
are good natused.
He smiles and mods like nodding man.
DARN, and she kisses him again and darts
TO the door.
"There!" she breathlcssly cries ms che
pauses on the threshold. "Just hold that
expression, sir, II you please. I'll be back
In such little while, dear daddy" And
the door closes and she whisks through.
The gray haired man eighs
"Shc grows more like her dead mother
every day." he says. "But, heavens, how
thoroughly she is spoiled-23 years old,
finished coquette, creature of the wild
est and most cxtrayagant whims. And
yet she has heart and u warm place in
1t, too, for her doting old father. ] won
der what camc over her this morning.
/ never SAW her quito so hysterical. If
she would marry-bat no, she appears
to despise every man she meets. She
firts with them and throws them aside
like cast off gloves. What u load 1t would
be off my mind if she would find some
honest, ambitious young fellow who suit
cd her wayrd fancy. But no. She turns
from them all, AMI hanged If l blame her.
They arc precious poor lot.
He pa,lses rs the door swings open and
u boy enters with card.
"In five minutes send the gentleman
In, " the gray haired father says, and tho
boy withdraws.
"Hcrbcrt Torrance" reads the gray
haired man. "A fine young fellow,
straightforward. honest, true. l half wish
he was In society. No, don't; it would
spoil him. Wonder what ne wants with
me
He busics himself with his papers for II
moment or two, and then the door swings
orcn and well knit young fellow with
keen gray eyes enters.
"Ab. Torrance, says the gray haired
man, "ha,o a. chair. What can l do for
your"
THANK you. MIR. Tinslcy," says the
young man, and he draws "a chair close to
the desk. lie seats himself with AN en-
barrassed air.
Nothing wrong with the brokerage
business, / hopcs' says the old man
kindly.
NO, sir. The business exceeds my ex-
pectations, replies the young man. "Aud
yet could wish IL were 5O times its pres.
cDt proportions.
That's rather ambitious wish, my
boy" says tho older man. "why this dis
play of grasplne grccds
"Bsa,ise. sir. 10 might win me more
| favorable consideration at your hands.
"And why are you so anxious To win
IIy favorable considerations"
The young man hesitates.
"lou are the man, sir. he slowly an.
swcrs. whose l:ood will value above all
others. IL ] had wealth and position. |
might approach YOU In "A far different
| spirit; hut, as ! have neither, H.
"Tut, tut, my hoy says the older
man. Mover mind what you haven't got.
What do you want. by .Iuye, you are the
second person whu has hinted at some
mysterious favor within the past hall
hour And hc SMILES at the recollection.
What. / want. says the young man
hurrle,Ily. "isnn incstiiuahlc treasure. IL
y yours to dive or Ia refuse. feel my