The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-26


of the parish. "Oh the Wears look
after them" said Jack and he turned
to Mrs. wentworth again.
There can be no doubt that Mrs.
Wentworth had a remarkable power of
sympathy. l took her in to dinner,
and she was deep in the subject of my
noble and inspiring art'' before the
soup was off the table. Indeed, I'm
sure that my life's ambitions would
have been an open book to her by the
time that the Joint arrived had not
Jack Ives, who was sitting on the
lady's other side. cut into the conver-
sation just as Mrs. Wentworth was
comparing my early struggles with
those Of Mr.. Carlyle. After this in
tervention of Jacks had not a chance.
ate my dinner without the sauce of
sympathy, substituting for it a cer-
tain amusement which l derived from
studying the face of Miss Trix Queen
borough, who was placed on the other
side of the table. And IL Trix did look
now and again at Mrs. wentworth and
Jack Ives, l cannot say that her con-
duct was unnatural. To tell the truth,
Jack was so obviously delighted with
his new friend that it was quite pleas
ant-and, as l. say, under the circum-
stances, rather amusing-to watch
them. We felt that the squire was
justified in having a hit at Jack when
Jack said, in the smoking-room, that
he found himself rather at loss for
subject for his next sermon.
What do you say" suggested my
cousin, putting at his pipe, ito taking
constancy as your next text?"
Jack considered the idea for a mo-
ment, but then shook his head
mo. l think" he said, reflectively,
that ] shall preach on the power of
sympathy"
That sermon afforded mel must con-
fess it, at the risk of seeming frivolous
very great entertainment. Again
secured a place by Miss Trix-on her
left, Newhaven being on her right, and
her face was worth study when Jack
Ives gave us a most eloquent descrip-
tion of the wonderful gift in question.
1t was, he said, the essence and the
| crown of true womaniness, and it
showed itself-well, to put it quite
| plainly, it showed itself, according to
Jack Ives, in exactly that sort of man
ner and bearing which so honorably
| and gracefully distinguished Mrs.
w hculNOIlIl' i lie lduy was not, vi
| course, named, but she was clearly in
| dicated. Your gift, your precious
| gift" cried the curate, apostrophizing
the impersonation of sympathy, 'is
| given to you. not for your profit, but for
mine. 1t is yours, but it is a trust TO
| be used for me. 1t is yours, in fact,
| to be shared with me-" At this climax
which must have struck upon her ear
| with certain familiarity. Miss TrlX
| Queenborough, Notwithstanding the
place and occasion, tossed her pretty
| head and whispered to me, What hor-
rid stuff"
| In the ensuing week Jack Ives was
our constant companion; the continued
| illness of his servants mother left him
stranded, and DOra's kind heart at once
| offered him the hospitality of her roof.
For my part l was glad, for the little
| drama which now began was not with
| out its interest. 1t was a pleasant
| change to see Jack genially polite TO
| Trix Queenborough. but quite indffer-
ent to her presence or absence, and
content to allow her to take Newhaven
for her partner at tennis as often as
| she pleased He himself was often an
absentee from our games. Mrs. Went
worth did not play, and Jack would sit
| under the trees with her. ior take her
| out in the canoe. What Trix thought
| did not know. but it is fact that she
| treated poor Newhaven like dirt be-
meath her feet, and that Lady Queen
| borough's face began to lose its tran
siently pleasant expression. l had a
vague idea that a retribution was work.
ing itself out, and disposed myself to
see the process with all the cOmplacenCy
! induced by the spectacle of others re-
| ceiving punishment for their sins.
A little scene which occurred after
lunch one day was significant. ] was
sitting on the terrace, ready booted and
| breeched, waiting for my horse to he
brought round. Trix came out and sat
down by me.
Where's Newhaven?" I asked.
ooh, I don't always want Lord New
haven" she exclaimed, petulantly; Il
sent him off for a walk-Tm going out
in the Canadian canoe with Mr.. Ives"
"Oh, you are, are you?" said I, smil-
ing. AS spoke Jack Ives ran up to us.
IT say Miss Queenborough," he cried,
I've just got your message saying
you'd let me take you on the lake"
us it a great bore?" asked Trix, with
a glance-a glance that meant mis-
chief.
II should like it awfully, .of course"
said Jack but the fact is I've prom
ised to take Mrs. Wentworth-before I
got your message. you know"
Triy drew herself up.
"Of course, if Mrs. Wentworth
she began.
I'm very sorry" said Jack.
Then Miss Queenborough, forgetting
as l hope-or choosing to disregard
my presence, leaned forward and asked
in her most coaXing tones
Don't you ever forget a promise.
Mr.. Ives?"
Jack looked at her. suppose her
dainty prettiness struck him afresh,
for he wavered and hesitated.
She's gone upstairs" pursued the
tempter, "and we shall be safe away
before she comes down again."
Jack shuffled with one foot on the
gravel.
Il tell you what" he said. ON ask
her if she minds me taking you for a
little while before -
] believe he really thought that he
had hit upon a compromise Satisfac-
tory to all parties. If so, he was speed
lily undeceved. Trix flushed red and
answered, angrily:
PRAY don't trouble. don't want 10
60"
Perhaps afterwards you might"
suggested the curate, but now rather
timidly.
I'm going out with Lord Newhav-
en-" said she. And she added in an
access of uncomfortable annoyance,