The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-05-20
HE HAD HIS CHOICE.
By ". PETIT RIDGz-

ladies IA green, scarlet Landscapes and
blue angels The frames formed Ia
themselves a grim attraction tn most
Of the VISITORS; the catalogue was us-
BalIy preserved by suburban patrons
FOR the purpose q frightening birds
Tt does one gDod.- said NJ James
Narehanr 70 cDme u A shoFv Ike this.
r. ever 90 out 70 the CAPE again"
Which yog won't,- sald the young
lady.
And T feel wisrfuL-~
Mai du pays- suggested the young
L1ay
Exactly. Why. then, I shall think
Of this hideDus collection of pictures,
and shall feel rsconciled 20 my lot.
The Cape Is not all honey. but at any
rate you DO get nature there And IA
ture IL always god
i suppose these artists think she can
be Improved by the introduction ot a
little novelty"
II vouldn't," said Mr.. James Mar
chant, waving his stick round the gal
Lery, give tvopence halfpenny for Tie
lot Of them
= don't suppose they would care 70
seIl them for less
Mr.. James Marchant laughed good
teuperss!Iy. and touched her hand.
which happened 10 be resting OF her
knee. It was a very pretty hand and
Eeatly 9ioved, and there was good ex-
cI.se for him.
But there is something" he said,
lowering bis voice, in the gallery. EI-
Ia, that T would give every penny
have IN the world 70 possess-"
"a pictureT'
~Prettier than any picture2"
-statgaryY
Better shaped than any starHary."
''Not disposed of already"
II hope not- There IL only one dit-
feulty-I am not sure, II were 20
make an offer now. that IL would be
accepted"
How shall you find ogt''
He rose aad adjusted his frock-coat
with the manner Of a man 20 whom for
some years frock-coats had not been
familiar wear. He was a tall, brown
faced man, with good deal Of ear
Lestness IN his eyes.
II shall ask Mr. Beckett"
oh she said. She gasped a little
before she went On And you-yog
think my step-m0ther Will be-wiI be
able 10 advise you In the natterT
Il think she will"
at seems to me-" she said, rolling I'D
her catalogue very tightly, rather an
old-:ashiOned 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. I want to make her
understand that, when I say I shall
have 10 work for my living, really
mean 1t"
II am glad" she said quietly.
Il know that you are, dear. But
suppose parents are different"
my parent is."
"And If she objects, why" he booked
down upon her affectionateiy. II shall
just pack you up, Ella, and run of
with you
"Now," she said delIghtedly, that ls
II shall see you to-nightY
II am sure" she said, with her little
hand resting for a moment In his. II
think the Invitation is for two only
II have a great mind" said James
Marchant looking down at her aTec-
t'"nately, "to kiss you"
THAT Ia no evidence Of a great
mind" she said reprovingIy. Beside,
you are in London now"
Il am afraid" said James Mar
chant, aI,ologetically, that / have
much 10 learn before become reciy-
ilized. The Cape makes one forget all
ones manners"
ut has not made you forget your
friends" she said.
There was one" he said. as he as
sisted. her into the hanson, "she was
only a small girl"
mot old enough to cOuntY'
"Of whom I thought every day Of
my life out there"
There were tears In her eyes that
challenged the lightEess OF her good
BY. The small gloyed hand was
PNN9SFb ''V hSL VI the
from the Cape for one moment. and
then be gave the address to the driver.
II was with great dexterity that at
dinner In Duke Street Mansions that
night Mr.. James Marchant contriyed
10 get himself paired with the excel
lent Mrs. Beckett.
II should have thought you would
have insisted. simply insisted on
taxing down my dear Madeleine"
Mrs. Beckett huttered her fan at
Mr.. Marchant In manner that had In
the early seventies been pronounced
bewltching
II want particularly to speak to
you, Mrs. Beckett / want To offer my
seif--"
"S-s-shw said Mrs. Beckett mysterl-
Ously. mot a word. | know exactly
what you are going TO say. Mad
eleine, my dear" she called to a tall,