Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-06-02
CHAPTER VI

sent themselves at The Ivies, and these
no longer found their inquiries greet.
ed by the old formula of exclusion
Presently 1t seemed to me that evarv-
one within a radius of twenty niIss
had called, with the exception of Dr
Spencer and his mother. They onIy. Of
all whom l visited, refrained from ask
ing news of the traveller or mentioning
him In any connection. And vet /
knew that formerly David Spencer and
Darracott Chester had been closa
friends. What had caused the breach
between them?
Notwithstanding the fact that Mad.
am had prepared me for the absence
OF heroic attributes in her sons appea-.
ance, L was distinctly disappointed I'm
him at first sight. He was neither fan
nor short, graceful nor awkward. hand.
some nor homely,. My first impression
of him was one of exceeding medic
Gritty. Meeting him in the street
should never have glanced at hin,
f1wice, nor have bestowed n second
thought upon him. Meeting him in tho
close familiarity of daily inter-
course, looked at him many times.
and soon grew to think of him with a
fa1r degree of eXclusiveness.
L am going to make no secret of his
attraction for me. 1 am not the hero
ane or this story, and my love affairs
are merely incidental to the true mar
ratiye. l shall be honest and frank at
the outset of my acquaintance with
Darracott, and take the reader i'm
med1ately into my confidence. acknow-
hedging with no false modesty or re-
serve that 1 had not been thirty-six
hours beneath the same roof with him
before l had wholly changed my first
impressions Of him, and had fallen
under the charm OF his personality.
This personality was strangely COM
pounded. 1t was an odd mixture of
contradictory qualities; and this pc
culiar incongruity possibly was the
reason or the fascination 1t exerted
over those who came to know him well.
FOR do not think that strangers cared
Tor him at all, nor 90 I think that
young girls in general would have
Gound him Interesting. For there was
nothing of the naughty and mysterious
hero about him. He was a silent, and.
IN company, an Indifferent man. He
had certain tastes which strongly ap-
pealed to him, and concerning which
he waxed enthusiastic. Beyond these
tastes he appeared TO feel little interest
an life, and have often demonstrated
with him because he did not exert him.
self to be more generally entertaining.
aut he had done with that sort of
thing, he would reply; he was growing
an ola man Che was, in point of fact,
Cnlrty-nine years old and he meant in
future merely to humor his own in
clinations.
This would give one the impression
that he was n selfish man, while. in
truth. self was his last consideration.
one OF the characteristics which most
won me TO him was a rare and never
failing thoughtfulness, which antici-
pated the need OF others almost be-
lore Il vas experienced. Yet L felt it
illustrative OF the contrariety of his
nature that, while so considerable of the
small requirements of those about him.
ne could yet have left one to whom
nc was bound by the closest ties of
mature TO desolate lonely and bereft
old age.
Cme day, after Darracott had been At
nome some ten days, / received a note
from Airs. Spencer, containing an in
Vitatlon> or rather n request, that I
should Jipe and pass the evening with
them upen the following day.
we feet sadly forsaken OF late" she
wrote. David has grown dull and dis :
spirited, and 1 am too old a story 10
entertain him. Do come and cheer ms
up, there's good child. David will
Drlng you safely home If you will al |
low him 10 do So"
1t happened that. as was presenting !
The case to the Madam and asking for I
cave of absence, hen son entered the
room. Observing thai 1 was reading
4 letter, he was about to withdraw |
with word of apology, but prevent
ID him.
1t is nothing but a note of invita-
lion" l said. do not go. shall be
through in moment. May I finish?"
When / concluded the note / dis
covered that he was regarding me with
look of unusual interest in his eyes.
so you are familiar friend of the
Spencers," he remarked. How are
-hey-David and his mother?''
We'll, l answered. shall l go,
Mad. mr.
''Ot course, my child
DO you reany think you are capa-
Die OF cheering up a man?'' Darracott
asked in a bantering tone 'I have not
seen Spencer for years; is he become
one of the lugubrious sort?''
1 repudiated the suggestion with so
much spirit that perhaps the warmth
Of my manner implied a particular in
terest in the man l was defending,
for my interlocutor laughed knowingly,
which so filed me with desire TO
prove indifference to David Spencer
that I was inspired to make a most
unusual request of my mistress.
Gould Holmes drive in for me about
ten O'Clock, MADAME" / asked. s'II
should prefer not to trouble DIR. Spen-
Ger 10 see me home"
She gave ready assent. but her son
continued to tease me by begging me
to consider the doctors disappoint-
ment.
You will simply be forced to go back
the next day and cheer him up againm
he protested. What a mission YOU
have found in life, Miss Lothropl
Mother, you are not half so solicitous
for my welfare as Mrs. Spencer is for
David's. have never heard you sug-
gest that Miss Lothrop should exert her.
self to cheer me up, Why is it? Have i
i not as great need of cheering as
David Spencer, or is it that there is a