The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-18


He was drawing of his gloves as he
addressed the last remark to the por-
.raI, of n pretty woman in red velvet
ybo smiled down on him from over the
d.roshloned mantcl shelf. The flicker
irr wood fire beneath threw into relief
M. ruddy tones Of the picture. upon
which the man gazed with affectionate
admiration. .r
The large room was partially fitted tip
ms a studio, though 1t served as library
as well. with well-lilled bookcases
around the walls An open piano with
the latest song on the music rack serr-
cd 10 show the varied purpose Of the
room Jack Standish gazed around
with an air of contentment, feeling
after SIX months absence the pleasure
OF returning TO the friend he valued
above all others at whose house he al
ways found an assured welcome.
L He had known Theckla Venth since
they we're boy and girl together. When
a light hearted maid OF sixteen she had
been whisked away by her father on
Unchanged trip abroad. and on her re-
iurn she was Mrs. Brandrcth. welded
IA a man twenty years her senior. So
r!otv said the match had been arranged
by her parent
For a few years Jack had watched his
friend as a gracious young matron.
Then Mr. Brandre,h died and the young
widow again went abroad. On her re-
urn to New York recently society well
coined her as a bright addition to its
circle, Musical and artistic. she gave
amusing entertainments. but seemed re-
solved to resist all proposals TO change
her name again. Her old friend, still
a bachelor. was devoted to outdoor
sports and literature, with some claims
10 popularity as writer Having in
dapendent means, he lived an caSy-go-
inE life and was well liked by men az
well as women. though he was, par eX-
cellence. Mrs. Brandreth's chum.
welcome back, Jackn' a tall. slen-
der woman held out white hand as
a smile lighted up her hazel eyes.
"Awfully good of you 10 see me, when
YOU arc not al home to-day"
Always at home 10 my old chum."
she replied, seating herself on one side
Of the fireplace. You are back in
town"
Yes: couldn't stay away"
Have you exhausted the material
ard the quiet TO be found in rural
hauHts?"
Not exactly: there is material
enough. bu, quiet is at a premium.
Had too good time"
You should have eschewed Newport
and the like, and sought seclusion for
your muse in some shady grove away
from the, abodes OF men, Mrs. Bran
dreth leaned little forward as she
spoke and toyed with the fire screen.
S,aAdish glanced at her pretty hands
with pleasure. His open admiration for
her good points was source of infinite
amusemer; Of his friend. It could find
seclus!On from the haunts OF men, but
not from the haunts of women" He
tried to look reErctful. but failed. and
It forced sigh died away as he caught
her d!mplng smile. What have YOU
painted?' he Qucrled. to stay the jest
he felt was lowering on the lips oppo-
ste him.
Only some studies. 7. also. had
Jolly time"
Your trip to Canada must have been
delightful. and your letters from the
AdirGadacks fairly bubbled with super
ativeS. Your house party seemed 10
include all manner and conditions OF
men"
IL was amusing" replied Theckla
Brandgcth. I'VE had temperance lee
turer, two artists. an advanced free
thinker. two college boys. and an Eng
!ish High Church divine. the beautiful
Mrs. Curlon and her sporting husband.
not 10 mention Mrs. Seaton's family OF
girls and boys. l shocked and edited
them all by turns, half the camp VOW
inc that | was un0rthodoX, and the
~ Z -.
churchy"
Like the chameleon, YOU take the
color of your surroundings"
Am l only the imitation of the real
thing"
By no means" he exclaimed hastily.
but your artistic nature colors your
thoughts and actions In harmony with
4 surroundings. | always think of vol,
tlnts" - ''sA
MIS-. Brandreth flushed slightly. "A
truce 10 compliments. Tell me your do
mss this summer"
wrote TO you Of my whereabouts"
you offered me the husks: now
want the kernels"
BY way OF reply, Standish asked IL
he might smoke.
VI course. Your favorite cigarettes
@'f N the old place"
SacK crossed 10 an old cabinet and
TToH Iut Z: box. You arc trump,
an meGha, ne observed, seating himself
@S M, near her
,,,, g." Hae would YOU men do without to-
'" 20 .,
w. w "oFSe hears than We are
to;r, gI acknowledge the possibility OF
'S Us bears
ana NJ, ia uncomfortable surroundings
niis, ~, ~ wrong woman. we are" re-
'' ",It ut+ young man. sentcntiously.
,-,, j" IdI ABOUT US with the wrong
nay ~,
III, Slp nm abroad"
wa, iI. .'S; did that. and It proved dis
ca, n .aI."Ee' met him at every port, and