The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1897-04-23
A MAN FROM THE CAPE.
ny w. PETIT RIDGE.

=
It was an eccentric picture gallery
with pictures painted by men who were
young enough 10 know better, of
sprawling ladies' in green, scarlet land
scapes, 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 frightening
birds. Yet the gallery was not without
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 to-
ward Waterloo place.
ut does one good" said Mr.. James
Marchant, Ito come to show like this.
If ever go out to the Cape again"
(which you WON'T" said the young
lady.
"And feel wistful-"
'sMal du pays" suggested the young
lady.
Exactly. Why, then, shall think OF
this hideous collection of pictures. and
shall feel reconciled to my lot. The
Cape La not all honey, but 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
chant, waving his stick round the gal
lery. II wouldn't give twopence half
penny for the lot of them"
IT don't suppose they would care to
sell them for less"
Mr.. james Marchant laughed good
temporarily, and touched her hand,
which happened to be resting on her
knee. 1t was 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 I have in the world to possess"
IA picture?"
"Prettier than any picture"
"Statuary?"
Better shaped than any statuary."
''Not disposed Of already?'
II hope not. There is only one diff
culty-I am not sure, If were to make
an offer now, that it would be &C.
copied"
How shall you find out?"
He rose and adjusted his frock coat
with the manner of man to whom fol
some years frock coats had not beer
familiar wear. He was tall, brown
faced man, with good deal Of earnest
ness in his eyes.
II shall ask Mrs. Beckett"
"O!" she said. She gasped little be
fore she went ON. "And you-you thinl
my stepmother will be-will be able te
advise you in the matter?"
II think she WILL" They walked slow
ly on the thick carpet to the swing
doors. Besides, It's only fair to do so.
ut seems to me-" she said, rolling W
her catalogue very tightly. rather al
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 Cap
untold gold. want to make her under
stand that when say shall have t.
work for my living, really mean it."
II am glad" she said, quietly.
II shall see you tonight"
| II am not sure" she said, with he
little hand resting for moment in his
81 think the invitation is for two only.
II have great mind" said Mr.. Jane
Marchant, looking down at her affec
tionately, Ito kiss you"
THAT is no evidence of great mind,
she said, reprovingly. Besides, you ar
in London now"
sand don't people kiss in London :?
"They don't kiss me, Mr.. Marchant.
II am very glad of that"
"And people don't talk Of kissing a
the doors of picture galleries."
II am afraid" said James Marchan
apologetically, that have much t,
learn before become recivilized. TIL
Cape make one forget all ones man
ners."
ut has not made you forget you
friends" she said.
| "There was one" he said, as he as
sisted her into the hanson, "she wa
only small girl"
| Not old enough to count?"
"Of whom l 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 presse
| in the big fist Of the man from the Cap
for one moment, and then he gave tn
address to the driver.
A bright face with the tears of happ
ness still there looked through the glas
as the hanson drove off, and Mr.. Jane
Marchant strobe away with glad hear
to see business man in Bedford street
For men who want to earn money mus
force their thoughts away even fro1
the direction of pleasant young women
1t was by great dexterity that at dir
ner in Duke street mansion that nigh
Mr.. James Marchant contrived to ge
himself paired with the excellent Mr.,
| DcCkeU. MIS. DtChctt deCidTcu he
self enchanted; but this was so fr,
quent declaration on the part of Mrs
Beckett that 1t was held to mean somt
thing less than the phrase really mean
II should have thought you woul
have insisted, simply insisted on tai
ing down my dear Madeleine"
Mrs. Beckett futtered her fan at M
Marchant in a manner that had in tn
early seventies been pronounced b.
witching.
Il want particularly to speak to yo'
Mrs. Beckett. ! want to offer myself
"S-s-sh," said Mrs. Beckett, my.
teriously. Not word. know e,
actly what you are going to say. Mad,
leine, my dear" She called to tai
bony damsel Just in front Of then
"You haven't shaken hands with dea