The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1900-01-25

too" he added. Its rather fun to be
snubbed when you know it is unneces-
sary."
Grosvenor looked thoughtfully into
the fire. 81 had ideals, too, once upon a
time," he said. 81 would have died for
any Of them any day. The difficult part
was to live UP to them"
"Don't outlive them, old fellow" said
Needham. "It is a mistake When the
real shines in the reflected glory of the
ideal, 1t is always the better for it."
do you really think soY' asked
Grosvenor as he got up. 81 am off to
bed now. If I stay up any longer you
will be persuading me to follow your
example, and l don't think l should
find it as amusing as you did,
The next morning Randall Needham
was coming back from giving lesson
when he saw Cecil Carwithen in front
of him. She was carrying her violin
case and looked white and tired.
"You must let me have that" he said
masterfully, pointing to the case "And
now tell me why you are looking so
pale this morning"
A slight flush mounted to her brow.
II am tired" she said briefly.
"That isn't ALL" he replied.
At this moment Mrs. Ranter bore
down upon them. She cut the girl,
and bowed icily to Needham. 1t would
not do for her to offend him, Kate was
beginning to play the violin SO well
under his careful tuition.
"Cecil," said the man, possessing
himself Of her hand, you know love
you, dear. Couldn't you make up your
mind to marry Inc some day?"
"It's no use," she said sadly. "My
parents would never consent"
"Oh, yes they wouldy'-in a triumph
ant tone.
sour lives lie in different directions"
objected the girl.
''But I make enough to keep you,"
urged Needham. "You need never do
a stroke Of work. And l am not COM
mon nor vulgar, whatever my father
may be. Cecil, say you love me-"
The girl looked at him, and he read
the answer in her brown eyes. Then
she seized her violin out of his hand
and fed, leaving him staring stupidity
after her, with a whole world of joy
on his face.
For the next week neither Of them
saw each other. Randall Needham
went away suddenly the day after,
and staid away, to the surprise of his
pupils (for it was term time), and the
righteous Indignation of Mrs. Ranter.
"But what could one expect of a man
like thatY' she whispered confidential
ly to her bosom friend, a lady whose
great niece had married the great
nephew of baronet.
Needham came back the day after
this charitable remark had been made.
He was in deep mourning, and his first
visit was to General Carwithen. Cecil
| was in the garden, and thither he
wended his way after the interview
was over.
II have come to claim you," he said.
"What has made father consent?'
asked the girl. The tones of her voice
were incredulous.
81 have informed him of a few facts
and now l must break them gently to
you," answered he.
The wind had ruffled Cecils hair, and
he smoothed it back with loving ges-
ture.
II am not bound to work for a Hv.
ing" he said, "and'-
"WellY' she queried anxiously.
"Look at that" he said, thrusting q
paper into her hand and turning away
SO that he might not see her face. He
need not have been afraid.
Cecil read the marked paragraph
s'The funeral of Lord Cunningham
There was also likeness of the heir
and it and the man sitting beside hel
were identical.
Mrs. Ranter was considerably aston
ished the next morning to get letter
| In the ex-violin's masters handwriting
Lord Cunningham regrets that he
will be unable to continue Miss Ran
ter's lessons, as he is leaving Leomin
| ster"
| Still more surprised was she at the
| announcement of his engagement to
Cecil Carwithen, which her daughters
read out of the local papers a few
mornings later.
| "Girlsv' she said to those two young
ladies, "why didn't we ask him to din
| ner?"
And echo answered, "WhyY-St
PauPs Budget.