The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-04
A PHILANTHROPIST.

"Whom do you think saw driving
with Gerald Morton this morning."
asked Mrs Morris Of her great friend,
the Doctors wife, as the two ladies were
enjoying s O'Clock tea and the general
gossip of the parish together one after:
noon.
"Beatrix Harcourt," Mrs. Maynard
answered promptly.
"Ah, you saw her, too, then. must
say was astonished 1t is we'll known
that young Morton bears the character
of being the fastest man in the neigh.
borhood."
II have long ceased to be surprised
at anything Beatrix Harcourt Does"
the other lady answered significantly.
IF Mr.. Kenrick does not mind, I do
not see why any one else should trouble
their heads about her eccentricities.
Certainly not, " Mrs. Morris agreed.
"But really, Rose, she was laughing
and talking in the most familiar man.
ner, and Gerald was bending toward
her until his face nearly touched hers!'
"And that is our future wears wifei
Well, shall take care my daughters do
not see much of her." And Mrs, Nav.
nard drew herself up with a kind OF
lofty indignation as some fresh visitors
were shown into the room.
Poor Beatrixi Her numerous delin.
uuencies were the subject of MANY aft
ernoon tea gossips, and had been ever
since she came to chichester, four years
ago. She certainlv was mike other
girls, for in addition to being a "blue
stocking" and having taken her degree
at Oxford she had most unreasonable
interest in the working olasses--not a
mere ladylike interest. which contented
itself with calling at their cottages with
a few words of good advice and n track.
All, no; she had ALWAYS some plan or
"oraze. " as the good neonle Of Hillches.
ter called IT, for their heneAt m hand
classes for the Young girls ambulance
lectures. concerts, teas what mt.
For the conyentionalities Of society
she cared not at all. She never attend.
ed the afternoon teas. therefore she
heard no possip. She was not even mar.
ticular about being in the fashion-in
fact. thu black serge dress she usnallv
wore looked. from constant exnosnre to
the weather. "a n f. had seen better
DAVIS.
She had been known even to take the
broom off the lame old crossing sweener
at the corner Of the road and work awav
in earnest until there was a massage fit
for queen to walk over.
And in spite Of all the vicar Of Hill.
chester had asked Beatrix Harconrt tn
be his wife, Well. az the leaders Of 40.
cietv in Hillchester remarked With o,ni.
nous signs, wonders would never cease
Nevertheless It must be- confessed
that Rev. John Kenr;ck WAS in m verv
enyiable frame Of mind as a week later
he wendell his wav somewhat slowly
toward his ]adylove's abode
The gossip which had begun in Mrs.
Maypard's drawing room had snread all
over the parish, until a version Of H.
highly exaggerated and colored, had
reached even the wears ears.
Beatrix soon discovered something
was amiss, and after the first greetings
were over she asked almost anxionsly.
"What is the matter, John? You do
not look we'll"
For a full minnie Mr.. Kenrick did
not answer. Instead he looked down at
her as she stood with one small hand |
resting upon his black coat sleeve. the
sunlight falling with loving tonch mon
her fair hair, which was cut short IAN
other no;nt which mat WITH Tho d;sfavor
of the Hillchester matronsl and cnrled
naturally ali over her head like a
child'a
"Trix. II ia sillv nerhans. Init some.
thing I have heard to-day has troubled
mo crafty
"Abont me7', Tr;x asLed oav,v "nP
nL