The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-01
p I I'D q Il 90 slonny?N

iuisht as wei come 10 the point,
said Clement Look here. Miss Nab. OF
course you know what happened last
Hlsat az the Jernay s-to me. / mean2'
Map only fixed her dark eyes ON him
ana when he hesitated said Go on
We'll, l want to know Tiff you think
that Is, If 1 have your sympathy"
Julus Clement had a fine mustache
winch curled with holiness and grace.
ana which be always stroked and pulled
When he was ia doubt or in deep thought.
On this occasion he was ia both, and he
acted accordingly.
Do you need a great deal OF sympa-
thy?' Nab asked him.
/ Il don't know whether 7 ought to say
| l do Clement answered. He had already
worn out his first embarrassment and
was beginning TO warm to his subject.
Perhaps I ought TO consider myself for
tunate, rather"
! 20. may 1 ask-2'
'Of course YOU may. 7 suppose you
| know what answer 1 got2"
well. no."
Just So" lie laughed nervously But
then l found out something-I think"
What did you ind out?"
| III your sister said NO., II was be-
! cause-it wasn't because-it was because
| because she wants always TO be with
you just as you are? There Am 1 right?'
Nab had r. way Of tightening her lips
/ which Prisey called shutting up herself
| all TO herself She went through this
| process now.
we were talking Of buying a parrot
! she said very seriously, after little
! Pause.
"A parrot What for?"
| For our amusement and consolation"
! Clement laughed at this idea so heart
| lily that Nab began to wonder.
Tell me, seriously" Clement said,
| isn't it something to know that some
! body cares for you-even if
Mr.. Nanduren to see Miss Mabel Cart
wright" Jane interrupted. opening the
| door at this point i'm the interview
Mr. Vanduren" Nab exclaimed not
concealing her surprise.
"Oh, I-eh-I intended 10 tell you" said
! Clement. "Ha arrived I'm town to-day,
| you know. You hadn't hcard2'
There was some embarrassment in the
| meeting between this young artist and
| the girl who i'm the language of com
| mon report had given him the mitten'
| nearly two wears before. Vanduren had
| taken himself of 20 Mexico and Central
| America. alleging an irresistible longing
| 10 sketch nature I'm those parts.
you quite surprised U.S. said Nab ~
she shook hands with the bearded last
arrival-"aud very pleasantly. When did
you get back? Prsey will be so glad to
see YOU again. Let me so up and tell her
you are here
without prolixity 70 would be impos-
sible 90 describe Vandurens manner OF
receiving this suggestion. There was more
! than mere embarrassment. there was an
noyance Something seemed 20 have gone
wrong. Nab saw this much. but was not
| c,eJr as tO what was wrong. Clement
smiled q very proper. conventional smile
and strOked his mustache. Nanduren
mumbied something which Nab perfectly
at liberty TO take for assent Accordingly
/ Nab left the room and the two men stood
| face to face"
You seem amused Clement" said Van
| duren, breaking the silence
We'll why shouldn't I?' Clement an
/ swered "What did I tell YOU to-day? Of
! course. YOU didn't tell me you would
| DE here SO soon-very first evening. you
| know"
! IL didn't think 10 necessary 20 advise
| you OF an my movements before
! hand said Vanduren. soldly, while he
! stood before the mantelpiece critically
| examining am applique drapery.
That's right, Nanduren, quite right.
| Now. before they come down, let me tell
| YOU something" Vanduren turned quick
| w and faced the other man. I'VE have
no time 10 lose" Clement went on,
speaking hurriedly. you may not know
| ct. but YOU are my god out or the ma
| chine-that's classic allusion you know.
/ I'm explain % another time. See here, /
/ knew We'll enough you'd be here tonight.
1 That was why / told YOU ] was coming.
I Now you want me TO get out. don't youf'
Han .rHf. 81
eyes. you do. Miss Prisey won't come
/ down"
How 90 you know that?'
Never mind. No time now for argu-
| mcnt / only want 10 make straight
! forward business proposition 10 YOU II
| [ get out of this will you promise 10 pro-
| nose TO Miss Nab this very night? Yes or
| no?'
"Weu I'll be-shotr Vanduren exclaim-
| ed I'm an undertone
eyes. / know" said Clement. 1T does
seem a queer and qaint idea, but there il
be time for explanation later. Yes or
no."
A rustic OF skirts could be heard on
| the stairs.
Yes" said Vanduren. making his de-
cision hurriedly. as one who leaps In the
dark.
Good FOR you-for US both" Clement
whispered 20 him, as the skirts came
nearer the door OF the sitting room
And tell her TO take a day or two 20
| think Il over-not to hurry
I'm so sorry, Mr.. Vanduren." said
Nab. opening the door. "Prisey has q
headache You are going 20 be here some
time. are you not? I'm the city? That's
right. She told me TO say she hopes youth
come again soOn She was very glad TO
| hear of your return
The rest. for ten or fifteen minutes.
| was small talk. about travelling and art.
/ Mexico and volcanoes. Then Clement, in
conformity with his promise. got out OF
| that"
Next afternoon the two girls were to-
gether again I'm their room. Prisey was
turning over a letter that had come 10
| her through the mail.
II think you might let me see IT," said
| Nab. Il let you see mine yesterday
At last, after some hesitation. Prisey
/ without speaking. handed her sister the
| letter, which read:
"You must not think mo over bold
! n L refuse 10 take your No for an an
sWer and come back again within forty
| eight hours Of my defeat at the Jernays.
| Something leads me to the conviction
| that this is a specially favorable chance
| tor me 20 try again. VIII you reconsider
| your decision, or is there really no hope
for met
In the latter case. mercifully end my
suspense by an early answer.
Julius Clement"
| II wonder what he means by some