The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-04-25
YOUNG NAN FROM CHICAGO
By LILLIAs CAMPBELL DAVIDSON. =

He's an American. But he may be Lord
BFockhurst, that's the only point that
concerns US ] don't know anything about
the pork-tha; was only your father.
dare say he may be IN trade" she family
shivered-"but many girls OF good family
marry manufacturers nowadays. At all
events, Enid, ] am not softening the mat
ter. nor do l feel myself justified. can
only tell yon that Il Is your duty. and
that no man or woman OF this house has
ever been false TO IL. however reluctant
they may have felt 20 face IT,"
i viii try, since you and papa wish IT.
was all Enid said, and her mother be-
slowed on her a kiss OF reward. Indeed.
had any Independence Of opinion announc-
ed Itself Lady Broekhurst would have
looked to see the stars fail out Of the
heavens
Il was natural 10 n girl. however well
brought up. 70 feel a fiutter at the idea
or the guests arrival. especially a girl
just "out" TO whom Sir Charles Tanning
tor had as yet played sole lover.
What would he be like-this man who
had accepted the invitation to Pauiet Alb
hey with a frank show OF qualification.
and had written his answer on paper
stamped at the top With business ad-
dress in Chicago? Would he guess" and
Calculate" and chew tobacco. and IN
dulge in tic various unholy habits Of the
stage Transatlantic cousin?
Enid was alone in the morning room
early on the afternoon OF the day when
he was expected. There were still sew
eral hours before his train was due. and
she was unable to keep her thoughts off
his arrival. The door opened behind the
shoulder Of the funereal servant She
saw a vision Of a young man, alert, sml-
ing, handsome. Before she could recover
her wits at the announcement. Mr..
Percy" he had crossed the room with a
quick step, and was bowling.
Il rather expect I've got here too soon"
he said. Il found l could get of early.
and so I wired. But I saw a wire I'M
opened In the hall as came in, so ex-
pect your fathers out most likely. II is
your father. isn't it? hope you're Miss
Percy-for then we're a kind of cousins"
His eyes rested on her with admiring
pleasure. He had never seen anything
so fragile and fiower-like, even in the
land Of beautiful women.
II very sorry mamma isn't az home
Enid spoke with confusion. She had put
out her hand in welcome. and though he
took 1t reverently he had not seemed 10
expect ii. 'She has gone TO open a ba-
zaar, and didn't expect you till Just be-
fore dinner"
"Oh, that's all right" said Percy. cheer
fully. He seemed 10 think she had left
an excellent substitute. II never occurred
TO him that Enid was apologizing for her
lack Of a chapeTon. It's my own fault
for coming of in a hurry"
"But I'm afraid there was no carriage
at the station to meet you"
''Oh. I Just walked along. My luggage
hasn't turned up, somehow. I'm not used
yet to the railroad arrangements In this
country. l only found a Valise left to
me when | got here. just slung it over
my shoulder-it's light enough-and
.ramped up with it,
Swing his own luggage on his back and
tramp up with It, There was an un-
heard-of favor In such a proceeding that
thrilled Enid with a curious fascination
He was very gOod-looking he spoke and
behaved like a gentleman after all, in
spite Of pork and Chicago.
This is fine old place" he said. walk
ing over to the window and looking out
with interest.
like that after a new country, It's real
polite Of you all TO ask me. know I'm
relation, but I thought I was a far
away one. I came over on purpose to
look the family up. l believe Mr.. SPEND
EoVe-queer name, isn't it?-thinks I'm
nearer than ] supposed from what he
says, but l never expected you'd ask me
down to stay"
you like to go and see them? I'll get nv
nat SAID Enid. She was self-cOnscious
over the novelty Of entertaining a caller
without her mothers august presence to
oack her up, and il was easier to feel m
constrained out of doors. So they wan
dered round the broken carving of tbe
ivy-crowned arches, and through the oar.
dens and the orchid houses.
Mr. Percy was full of admiration for
the ruins, and thought the gardens
charming, though he expressed some sur.
prise at seeing plants that were weeds in
his own land tended like tender nursIings
here.
You must be very fond of the Abbey -.
he said. turning his frank and honest
gaze on the girl at his side as they stroll
ed along. II suppose you like it better
than any place you've ever seen. don't
you?''
i haven't seen many. except my uncle's
place, norne Castle. and nv cousins.
Mns'yn Hall. I've lived here all my whole
life, except this season. Then we went To
toWu."
as this your whole world. then? Well.
tiat Does seem PITY. doesn't IT. nice az
1t *" Travels an education. | md It
So, can tell you. I've always felt sorry
I was too busy TO come abroad before.
You ought to go all over the continent;
it's so close TO your very door"
Papa isn't very fond of crossing the
channel" said Enid. gently. Il don't
think he'd like to go
"Oh. / wouldn't wait for The old people.
Go right off alone. That's what my little
sister did as soon as she was eighteen.
She went right off to Europe by herself,
and was away year. She got married
out there, bought her rousseau in Paris,
and finished the trip with a wedding
tour"
Got married. Ends wonder was
tinged with alarm. What did your people
say?'
My people? Poppa and momma? Oh,
they wanted very badly 10 see what he
WAS like she cdDlCu utI tlSdstIlltNl,
and that he was an American, and they
cabIed back they'd have loved TO have
been at the ceremony. but it couldn't be
helped"
.And-but-didn't they obieet?"
Hiram Percy's face reflected her own
surprise. Not bit? Why should Trey?
They'd perfect confidence in Gert.e's Judg-
ment. He's a real nice fellow. They live
with u.s.
with you? In the same house,"
.'Oh. yes; it's big enough. The old folks
would feel lonesome If they went away.
Gertie gives great many entertainments.
and poppa and momma like 10 see what's
going on-its pleasure for them
Enid listened with an amaZem=nt that
was tnged with a guilty longing. What
an agreeable country America must be.
even though It was one that overthrow all
traditions held since the world began.
Girls who travelled. who chose their own
husbands. whose parents trusted 10 their
Judgment. A fascination such IS she had
never felt for any temptation before. in
her welI-trained life. began 10 weave Il
spell about her mind.
BY and by il was tea time, and she took
him Indoors and graVely poured II oct
for them both in the 6rawing-ruorn 'ha .