The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-09
FIRST FILTRATION.

"Mamma, have you any objection to
my receiving the attention of that young
gentleman who danced with me at last
evenings hop?' inquired Edith Gray as
she looked out Of the window at the Ocean
House, whittier for the first time in her
life she had arrived.
Objection, my dearl I know nothing
about the person you speak Of
'tWhy, ma, don't you remember Mr..
Rodolphus McGilvery, the gentleman with
long, flowing, black hair and bronze face2
Tho very first day came here, just before
pa went away, he asked to be introduced
to me. He is of Scottish descent, and is
making the tour of the United States.
Well, in a very familiar manner he said to
me: Miss Edith'-for he heard pa call me
so-''I shall wish to monopolize your soci-
ETY. while am here. L am fond of young
ladies' 1 had a sister once who strongly
resem bled you. That weed on my hat be-
tokens her decease.' And he wiped his
eyes and looked so affectionately toward
me, ma began to love him at once -
ssWhy, Edith, you should not indulge
in such strong expreSsionsl Remember
you are a young lady and know but little
of the world. You must BIO cautious,
dear, about accepting attentions from
strangers. Many a young girl has been
QupOQ bnSAL A0ASOAOoS-
MA, / never saw such doubling per-
son as you arel What earthly motive could
have INDUCED him to have asserted such
thing unlcSs it were true9 There he is ris-
ing from bis seat. I will run and ask
him to come to our room"
Ono, Edith. You must not be too ia
rniliar tell you" But Edith waved her
little hand for his approach, and he came
into the ball. and there stood, awaiting
her to join him.
Artless and thoughtless, she ran to him
and began narrating all her late converse
ton, and after pressing Mr.. Rodolphus
McGilvery to go and see her mother he
luctantly consented to do so.
Upon entering the room he was the pic
ture of smiles and the graces personified,
so bland in conversation, so delicate in re-
marks, so apparently dif6dent, yet reso-
lutte, that Mrs. Blithe did not wonder her
daughter was fascinated
The interview was u long one and ended
in a full disclosure of the object for which
he came to this country, indirectly keeping
in view all tho while that money was no
consideration with him, his father having
Just died and left him sole heir to a prince
" fortune; thas he only pinned for sympa-
thy and companionship, and, as Edith SO
strongly reminded him of bis deceased sis
ter, he perhaps had ventured ton far in en-
deavoring to gEln the friendly regard of
y
land.
These thoughts being uttered in most
winning accent, all counted with Mrs.
Blithc, and she ventured so far as to add
that "if during their sojourn they could do
anything to minister to his comfort they
would most cheerfully perform it." And
Edith was in ecstasy that she had thus
won over her mother to become interested
in Mr.. Rodolphus McGilvery.
They rode and they walked with the
Scotch gentleman and even talked, as their
intimacy increased, of taking trip with
him to his native country To say that he
essentially contributed to their enjoyment
while at this watering place was not
enough. He made Edith feel a kind of hap
piness she had never experienced before.
What did she care for that staid young
man, Mr.. Lester, from New York, or Mr..
Fry, the rich bachelor who had promised
Mr.. Blithe to attend his wife and daughter
in his absence? It was certainly very i'll
timed and impertinent in the latter to in
quire what they knew of the character of
the gentleman with whom they were so in
timately connected after he had told them
so minutely his personal history Truly,
Mrs. Blithe, you are as easily satisfied and
as credulous as your daughter.
Mr.. Fry, however, took it upon himself
| to ascertain automatically whether the
! statements made by Mr.. Rodolphus wore
mercantile house in New York upon whom
! he professed to draw for money, and found
| they were ignorant of the existence Of
| such man. He addressed another to
] Count Zolvani, whom he said he knew in
| timately, and was answered that he ''nev-
er heard of the gentleman in question. p"
| So that when convinced of the falsity of
two asseverations he began to distrust all
others, which sorely puzzled and vexed
| Mrs. Blithe and her daughter.
When in the heyday of apparent til
| umph, having secured the affections of an
artless girl, having firted and danced in
the sunbeaIns of fashionable life, suddenly
! Mr.. Rodolphus McGilvery disappeared
| leaving the landlord with his unpaid bill,
| and at the livery stable large undis-
| charged account 'for sundry drives about
| the suburbs in which Mrs. Blithe and
| Edith had participated, and, worse than
ALL leaving a young and guileless heart to
feel the chagrin which always attends an
| unsuccessful Irritation.
Mrs. Blithe and her daughter now will
| ingly accepted the protection of that es-
timable gentleman, Mr.. Fry, whose in
quiries undoubtedly gave the walking
| ticket to the Scotch gentleman, and feel
ing as they did that his professions of re-
| gard were sincere Edith was never Ques-
toned by her mother how far or how fast
| Mr.. Fry had proceeded.
| WuO Is OHe relShluS 1narfIeu OSile VI
| the season at the Ocean House?' inquired
| upon my arrival the next season.
IA Mrs. Fry from New York. was the
reply. ''She is truly lovely, and her coun-
tennnce and manners are faultless. Be-
sides she has most fascinating man for q
husband.
1 gazed at the belle as she entered the
dining hall. 1t was she who one year ago
hung upon the arm of that disgraced Nc
Gilvery, and 1 thanked heaven that SC
bright and beauteous a being had escaped
the snares which attended her first and
last Irritation. New York News.