The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-18
COPYRIGHT 1898. BY The Aurnoa.>

"But this internal warp If he had
known that The sections would actually
come to blows, he would have deferred
his return until better results could have
been secured. The plan of revenge he
had been maturing for years included
Colonel Merriman b'sscom. He had
meant to settle his Bel 0ap score, and
then, after dazzling the neighborhood
with his splendor, he was to shave it
out with Bascom." But ere he was,
with no neighbors to dazzle an d Bascom
away fighting, with a tolera oily good
chance Of never coming back.
The loneliness of his new life soon
began to wear upon set of nerves none
too well strung. In the extremity Of bis
isolation he remembered his sister-tlNe
only living link between him and the
old life, so full of bitterness and hu12il'
iation. He invited her to visit him. In
deed, it was not impossible that he
would need her. The prospect Of hav-
ing some one besides his trained domes-
tics to view the beauties OF Belnaven
renovated restored his good humor. 1t
was pleasant to reflect upon the aston
ishment Betty would experience on her
arrival. She could not fail to be consid-
erabiy dazzled, for from economical mo.
tives he hal, never descapted largely up
on his improved fortunes in the few let
tars that had passed between them.
As loyal citizen Of the United States
she would, of course, have no difficulty
:; :; .a.!.:ns to him. She might arrive by
ann ono - tho .-anEports used to convey
troops up or down the l."ei.~. ~
his handsome span of bays and s's
glossy new victoria to the Cloverdell
landing every day for week. He was
not at all averse to have them in evil
dence before the townspeople as often
as was practicable. He hoped his sister
would not discredit him or his fine es-
tablishment. Betty had not had the adj
vantages of travel which had done so
much for him, but the dentist she had
married was said to have been good
sort, and as the "Widow Grosvenor" he
had seen notices Of her in the society
columns of the Dayton papers, which
would seem to indicate that she was
not altogether unpresentable. 1t was
not without certain amount OF nerv.
BUSINESS, however, that he stalked up
and down his freshly sodded terraces,
munching the end of an unlighted cigar
while he waited for the return of the
carriage.
In her youth Betty had been decid-
ed beauty. AS the mature Mrs. G. OAR
cy Grosvenor she might have coarsened.
He hoped not If there was one thing in
life he could not bear with equaninlity,
it was coarse woman.
At last the rapid roll Of wheels, and
his handsome turnout swung gracefully
around the graveled driveway - not
empty this time. His first glance at the
stately figure and the brilliant eyes
which laughed a greeting to him before
the carriage stopped was reassuring.
The first words his sister spoke, happily
after the driver had touched up his
horses, were disconcerting:
"Well, old boy, bottom rail is on top
at last"
Whitney recoiled III the act of en-
bracing her.
Mrs. Betty laughed merrily, thereby
bringing into view very perfect
mouthful Of dazzling teeth.
"Oh, come now, Dennie. we won't
put on airs just for each other. When
any of your buckram darkies are on
hand, I'll treat you with all the defer
ence your state demands My, but it is
relief to have you all to myself a little
while! Where did you get that Chester
field in ebony? He made me feel as if I
had drawn my corset strings too tight. I
am dreadfTlly uncomfortable.
Recognizing promptly that, 20 far
from being easily dazzled, his sister was
possessed of the same old laughing devil
which had made her as girl thorn in
his flesh, Whitney decided to preserve
his own dignity when they were alone
by way Of emphasizing the fact that he
had effaced the past utterly, with the
exception Of the grudges he bore certain
individuals connected with it.
Richards understands horses admi-
rably," he said frigidly. ~ am sure you
must be tired. Your room is quite ready
if you would like to rest before dinner"
Dinner? Why, my boy, it is s
O'clock \.
II dine at g."
"Oh, you dol Well, Buddy, I'll catch
on presently. Just give me time to get
my breath. But you mustn't insist up
on my resting when l haven't done q
thing but sit still and stare at the Mis-
sissippi river for four days and half.
I'm just dying to see all there is to see
and to hear all there is to hear. I'll
just lay aside my hat and gloves, and
then we can go about comfortably. Your
place looks perfectly lovely as you ap-
proach it. But"-she turned impulsive-
ly and locked her hands about his neck
-"the handsomest thing I've seen yet
in old Tony's place is my brother Den
mis-. My, wish I could think time had
dealt as kindly with mer'
"You are very handsome, Betty, and
I perceive you care as much for your
good looks as ever"
"Yes, more, far more. When youth
turns his back on woman, he leaves
her desolate indeed if he robs her of her
good looks too"
twas not until the lamps were light
ed and the last servant had disappeared
for the night that Whitney was able to
decide whether he was glad or sorry
that he had summoned Betty to be his
With her husband dead
and no children to oomplicate matters
she would prove very acceptable COM
panion. But certain amount Of prun-
ing would be absolutely necessary.
"Now, then, he said, throwing him.
self luxuriously into an easy chair with
in reach of his cigar boz, 1--WE can have
q comfortable time talking. What sort
Of a trip did you have down the river?"
IA tolerably lively one. There were
dead loads Of soldiers on board, and so
I did not lack for attention, seeing
there were only two or three other WON.
Of officers going to join them
in New Orleans. We had John the Bap.
fist on board. BY the way, he got OF at
Cloverdeli, and persuaded Duke Rich
ards to give him lift as far az Locust