The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-10
A LITTLE COMEDY.

nOGor LiuSioyt f1tiou, us uuuButer.
Herbert Torrance and Mary, who Is only
suggested
The gray haired man at tho desk looks
up from the mass of papers before him
and turns toward the door. His quick car
has detected the swish of skirts In the
passageway. There Is but one visitor who
Is permitted to thus invade his private
room unannounced. The door swings in
and young woman enters.
"Ah,. Helen" says the gray haired
man. "This is an carly VisitP'
The young woman runs her hand caress-
ingly across his scattered locks and, stoop-
ing, kisses him lightly on the forehead.
"Just as glad to see me, aren't you,
papaf" she cries.
She Is a 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
favor9" inquiries the gray haired man as
he leans back In his chair and looks quiz
zically at his visitor.
She grows grave in moment and re-
CARDS him with troubled gaze.
There, there" he says. "Don't worry
yourself over 1t. Speak up. What shall
1t bcf A bracelet, a coupe, necklace2"
Papa" she says, "you think I'm q
dreadfully selfish little beast, don't your
am; know am. I've just been nui-
sanoe and bother to you ever 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, Helen" he says, whats thisp
What's gone wrong? Have ever denied
you anythingf"
"No, no, papa" sho half sobs. "You've
been much too good. You've spoiled me-"
"Dear me, child" he slowly murmurs,
chow much you are like your dear moth
erp' He turns his head little away and
puts his hand over his eyes.
There, there, papa" cries the young
woman, and her soft check rests against
the gray hair. 81 didn't mean to distress
you. There, therel I am going to make
you pay for this visit--oh, such price!
But not now. No. not just now. Cousin
Mary is waiting for me in tho carriage,
and-and after awhile will come back
and tell you what it is You are good ma
tured now, aren't you, dearf Say that you
arc good natured.
He smiles and mods like nodding man
DARN, and sho kisses him again and darts
to tho door.
"Therer' sho breathlcssly cries as she
pauses on the threshold. "Just hold that
expression, sir, If you please. III be back
in such little while, dear daddy" And
the door closes and she whisks through.
Tho gray haired man signs.
"She grows more like her dead mother
every day, he says. "But, heavens, how
thoroughly she is spoied-23 years old,
q finished coquette, creature of the wild
est and most extravagant whims And
yet she has heart and warm place in
1t, too, for her doting old father. won
der what came over her this morning.
I never saw her quito so hysterical. II
she would marry-but, no, she appears
to despise every man she meets. She
flirts with them and throws them aside
like cast off gloves. What load it would
be off my mind If sho would find some
honest, ambitious young fellow who suit
ed her wayrd fancy But, no. She turns
froIr them all, and hanged If blame her.
They arc precious poor lot"
He pauses as the door swings open and
o boy enters with card.
"In five minutes send the gentleman
in," the gray haired father says, and the
boy withdraws
"Herbcrt Torrance" reads the gray
haired man. "a 1no young fellow,
straightforward, honest, true l half wish
he was in society. No, don't; it would
spoil him. Wonder what no wants with
me-"
He busies himself with his papers for
moment or two and then the door swings
open and well knit young fellow with
keen gray eyes enters.
"Ah, Torrance" says the gray haired
man, "have chair. What can do for
your"
"Thank you, Mr.. Tinslcy," says the
young man, and he draws chair close to
tho desk. Ho seats himself with an en-
barrassed dir.
"Nothing wrong with the brokerage
business, l hopef" says the old man
kindly.
"No, sir. The business exceeds my ex-
pectations, REPLIES the young man. And
yet could wish it were 90 times Its pres
ent proportions"
"That's n rather ambitious wish, my
boy" says the older man. "Why this dis
play of graspipg greedf"
Because sir, it might win me more
favorable consideration at your hands"
"And why are you go anxious to win
my favorable consideration"
The young man hesitates
"You are the man, sir, he slowly an
swers, "whose good will l value above all
others II I had wealth and position,
might approach you In q far different
SPIRIT but, as have neither, p
"Tut, tut, my boy" says the older
man. Never mind what you haven't got.
What do you want2 BY Jove, you are the
second person who has limited at some
mysterious favor within the past half
hour And he smiles at the recollection.
"What want" says the young man
hurriedly, sis an inestimable treasure. 1t
is yours to give or to refuse. feel my
own unworthiness, sir, yet boldly ask
this gift at your hands. IL hope you un-
derstand me, STRIP
II think do, " says the older man kind
ly. but really didn't know that you
had ever met"
"It-it wasn't right, SIR" says the
young man hurriedly. II met her first at
the seaside quite by accidcnt-there was q
little accident, In fact, but she said she
wouldn't distress you about it. And our