The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-24
CHAPTER I.

r WAS YEARS since we nad niet'
We parted in anger-she In
tears. She smacked me-and |
Uhat 1 should have to admit itO
smacked her back.
you're nasty, horrid, cruel
boys!" she said, sobbng.
The tears brought compunc-
tion, but the adjectives prevented
avowal.
Anyway, you're only girlish girl
"I'm not!" she responded, stamping
her foot. SO we parted.
When I came down from oxford,
many years after, 1t was deemed nee
essary that should engage in some
useful employment. My dear mother
was most emphatic in the matter. !
did not attempt to temporize.
''Mater," said, II leave the matter
entirely in your hands: / have the
greatest confidence in your discretion
She kissed me tenderly, remarking
that had always been good son.
We have an estate in Blankshire ana
are in our little way county magnates.
My mother. who Is woman of sur
prislng energy, Immediately COM
menced asking many curious people
to her dinner parties. In a short time
j
didate, with U was nformed) fair
prospects of ousting the Radical men,
ber at the next general election.
Politics were therefore my profess
sion. OF course, 1 have to make
speeches, but I am very intelligent,
and people have published hand books.
In the intervals, which were not
short, I lived in London happily. Lon
i, ,,Io oV,f ,,1o nd
/ went out a great deal, knew many
nice girls, and irritated many mothers.
I once overheard a mother talk seri-
ously to her daughter in a conserva-
tory. I was behind an adjacent palm
and could not easily get away. She
alluded to me unflatteringly and wound
w:
"He has only thousand a year and
will never have much more. So you
must not encourage Gerald Merlvale.
Now mind, Gertrude"
Gertrude wept a little Il am sure
Of this, because her nose was little
red when we met later), and stopped
encouraging me. I did not blame her
She was quite right. I confess I like
a girl with robust common sense.
But it Is not about Gertrude l am
writing. It is of Alice Mansell, the
"she" alluded to at the commence
ment.
Little Bobby burden came to my
club, and began to talk excitedly to
me about a "stunner."
you've no ideah." he said.
1T is not kind Of you to say so"
I'm talkin' about the girl. She's
just come out, and, by Jove, isn't she
a oner!"
What girl?" I asked.
Her names Alice Mansell My aunt,
Lady Ockington, is running her. The
daughter of Mansell. the Railway
Johnny. They say she's a hundred
millions"
T yawned a little. EcstasieS always
bore me.
II know as a fact" I replied, that
the figure you mention is considerably
below the mark"
His jaw dropped. "Really!" he said.
COR are you at your confounded sar-
casm again?"
Introduce me-" I said. land you
shall be best man.
Look here, let me tell you" he be-
gan.
You shall have as much wedding
cake as you like" 1 interrupted, sooth-
ingly.
You're "a"
"A regular tuck in"
II tell you you're an ass"
You presume on your aunt" l said
severely. But you needn't introduce
me. had forgotten for the moment. I
know her. She was my playmate. 1
used to hit her. In fact. think
adopted her / forget whether as a
sister or a daughter. One of the two.
She is very fond of me-"
II always did think you conceited,
but I'm dashed If ever"
will she be at the Martens this
afternoon" l asked.
He replied reluctantly In the affirma-
tive.
IF have time, I'll run in and see
her." said. taking up a newspaper.
II suppose you'll kiss her." he said
scoffingly.
Certainly"
Bobby retired, uttering- inarticulate
sounds and red in the face.