The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-05-05
A CAPE MAN.

1t was an eccentric picture gallery, with
pictures, painted by men who were young
enough to know better, of sprawling Ia
dies in green, scarlet landscapes and blue
angels. The frames formed in themselves
grim attraction to most of the visitors.
The catalogue was usually preserved by
suburban patrons for the purpose of fright
ening birds. Yet the gallery was not with
out attractions on cold day when the
wind cut along from the Green park, down
Piccadilly, racing another wind which was
speeding madly along Pail Mall with a
slight start in advance toward Waterloo
place.
1T does one good" said Mr. James
Marchant, "to come to a show like this
If l ever go out to the Cape again.
(Which you WON'T" said the young
lady.
And feel wistful''-
'Mal du pays" suggested the young
lady.
Exactly. Why, then, shall think of
this hideous collection of pictures, ard
shall feel reconciled to my lot. The Cape
Is not all honey, but ut any rate you do
get nature there And nature is always
good
81 suppose these artists think she can be
improved by the introduction of little
novelty
wouldn't" said Mr.. James Marchant,
waving his stick round the gallery, 81
wouldn't give twopence halfpenny for the
lot of them. ="
81 don't suppose they would care to sell
them for less
Mr. James Marchant laughed good tenn
peredly and touched her hand, which hap
pened to be resting on her knee 1t was a
very pretty hand and very neatly gloved,
and there was good excuse for him.
But there is something" he said, low
cring his voice, something in the gallery,
Ella, that l would give every penny have
in the world to possess.
"A picture?"
"Pretticr than any picture"
"StatuaryY"
Better shaped than any statuary."
Not disposed of alrcady?'
II hope not. There is only one difficulty
i am not sure if i were to make an offer
now that it would be accepted.
"How shall you find outp''
He rose and adjusted his frock coat with
the manner of "a man to whom for some
years frock coats had not been familiar
wear. He was tall, brown faced man.
with n good deal of earnestness in his eyes
II shall ask Mrs. Beckett"
''OhP' she said She gasped little
before she went on. And you-you think
my stepmother will be-will be able to ad.
wise you in the mattcr?''
II think she will" They walked slowly
on the thick carpet to the swing doors
Besides, it's only fair to do so.
at seems to me, she said, rolling up
her catalogue very tightly, rather an old
fashioned mode of procedure
There is this excuse in my case. Mrs.
Beckett has an idea, am afraid, that
have brought back from the Cape untold
gold. want to make her understand that
when | say shall have to work for my
living, really mean it"
Il am glad, she said quietly.
II know that you are, dear But sup
pose parents are different"
MY parent is -
And if she objects, why" he looked
down upon her affectionately, 81 shall just
pack you up, Ella and run off with you. "
Now" she said delightedly, that is
more old fashioned than ever. l believe
it's an idea you have learned from the
| Kaf1irs. What a wonderful thing travel is
for improving the mind"
II shall see you tonight"
II am not sure" she said with her lit,
tie hand resting for moment in his. 81
! think the invitation is for two only"
Il have great mind" said Mr.. James
Marchant, looking down at her affection.
ately, "to kiss you"
"That is no evidence of great mind, "
she said reprovingly. Besides you are in
! London now"
And don't people kiss in London?'
"They don't kiss me, Mr.. Marchant.
81 am very glad of that"
"And people don't talk of kissing at the
doors of picture galleries. "
81 am afraid" said James Marchant
apologetiaally, that l have much to learn
before l become reciviliZed The Cape
makes one forget all ones manners. -
''It has not made you forget your
friends" she said.
"There was one," he said as he assisted
her into the hanson. "She was only O
small grip
"Not old enough to count?'
-'of whom l thought every day of my
life out there. -
There were tears in her eyes that chal.
lcngcd the lightness of her goodby. The
small gloved hand was pressed in the big
fist of the man from the Cape for one mo-
ment, and then he gave the address to the
driver.
A bright face with the tears of happiness
still there looked through the glass as the
hanson drove off, and Mr.. James Mar
chant strobe away with glad heart to sec
a business man in Bedford street. fol-
men who want to earn money must force
their thoughts away even from the direc
ton of pleasant young women.
1t was by great dexterity that at dinner
in Duke street mansions that night Mr.
James Marchant contrived to get himself
paired with the excellent Mrs. Beckett.
Mrs. Beckett declared herself enchanted
But this was so frequent declaration
on the part of Mrs Beckett that it was
held to mean something less than the
phrase really meant.
II should have thought you would have
insisted-simply insisted--on taking down
my dear Madeleine.
Mrs. Beckett fluttered her fan at Mr.
Marchant in "A manner that had in the
early seventies been pronounced bewitch
ing a--rasa