The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-23
His Two Constituencies.

1t was years since We had met. We
parted in anger-she in tears. She
smacked me-and chat / should have tc
admit IT'D smacked her back.
You're a nasty, horrid, cruel boy." she
said. sobbing.
The tears brought conjunction, but the
adjectives prevented avowal.
Anyway, you're only girlish girl"
I'm mott" she responded, stamping her
foot. So we parted.
| When / came down from Oxford. many
years after. 1t was deemed necessary that
should engage in some useful employ
ment- My dear mother was most emphatic
on the matter. 1 did not attempt to tenn
porize.
Mater" said. 81 leave the matter en-
tireIy in your hands; have the greatest
confidence in your discretion
She kissed me tenderiy. remarking that
I had always been a good son.
We have an estate in Blankshire. and
are. In our little way, country magnates.
My mother, who is woman OF surprising
energy. Immediately commenced asking
many curious people to her dinner parties.
| In a short time l was the accepted Con-
sentative candidate, with Il was informed)
| fair prospects of ousting the Radical
member at the next general election.
Politics were therefore my profession.
OF course. have to make speeches. but I
am very Intelligent, and people have pub
lished handbooks.
In the intervals, which we're not short,
1 lived in London happily. London is a
pleasant place, and enjoy it. 1 went out
| a great deal, knew many nice girls, and
irritated many mothers.
once overheard mother talk seriously
to her daughter in conservatory. l was
behind an adjacent palm. and could not
easily get away. She alluded to me unflat
teringly, and wound up:
| He has only thousand year, and will
| never have much more. So you must not
encourage Gerald Merivale. Now mind.
! Gertrude"
Gertrude wept little q 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 l like q girl with robust common
| sense.
But it is not about Gertrude am writ
| ing. 1t is OF Alice Mansell the She al
luded to at the commencement.
Little Bobby Burden came to my club,
and began to talk excitedly to me about
Sumner"
You've no ideah," he said.
| at Is not kind Of you to say So"
I'm taIkin' about the girl. She's just
| come out, and. by Jove. isn't she oneri"
What girl?" 1 asked.
| Her names Alice Mansell. My aunt.
Lady Ockington is running her Thu
daughter of Mansell, the Railway Johnny.
| cna'e hun mil
| | yawned little Ecstasies always bore
me.
/ Il know as fact replied, that the
| figure you mention is considerably below
| the mark
His jaw dropped. "Reaily.' he said. "or
are you at your COMPOUNDED sarcasm
again 20
Introduce me-" said. "and you shall
| be best man.
Look here, let me tell you he be-
gan.
you shall have as much wedding cake
az you like" I interrupted. soothingly.
You're a.
"A regular tuck in"
| Il tell you you're an ass
| you presume on your aunt, / said Sc
I verely. But you needn't Introduce me.
| had forgotten for the moment. / know her.
She was my playmate. l used to hit her.
| In fact, / think / adopted her. l forget
whether as a sister or a daughter. One OF
| the two. She is very fond of me-
81 always did think you conceited, but
| I'm dashed IL ever
"Will she be at the Martens this after
noon?" | asked.
He replied reluctantly in the affirmative
IF have time III run In and see her."
l said, taking up newspaper.
II suppose you'll kiss her, he said
scoffingly.
Certainly"
Bobby retired. uttering inarticulate
sounds. and red in the face.
I went to the Martens that afternoon
As l entered the drawing room l encoun-
tered Bobby at the door. He grinned vim
dictively.
She's in there he said, Jerking his
thumb over his shoulder. Go and kiss
her."
l took no notice Of his foolish remarks,
or Of the laugh from the group of men
around him. Ii is better to ignore vulgar
ity when you have no repartee.
I crossed the room to speak to Lady
Marten. The room was crowded. As
was speaking to her. Lady lexington arose
from her seat and came to her. She was
followed by a girl whom ! recognized
Though how she had changed and how
beautiful she had grownD as Alice.
While Lady lexington was saying her
adieus l turned to Alice. ! saw she rec
ognized me.
Alice, my dear," said I felt rather
than saw Lady lexington wheel about.
Alice put out her hand and smiled.
took her hand.
What an immense girl you have
grown!" l went on. You've grown too
big to kiss!"
She looked surprised. but bent forward
and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
Mr.. MerivaIei" she said, but thought
she did not look offended
"Oh, you must still call me Jerry" I
said hastily. II suppose you will be leav-
ing school soon?'
Lady lexington, who had been regard
ing me as il were an intrepid frog, in
terfered.
Miss Mansefl has left school some
years" she said in an awful tone.
'-oh, she has governess, l suppose.
Well Alice" / said, II hope you are a
better girl than you used to be.
Alice, we must CO. said Lady Ocking |
ton
Good bye" 1 said. 1 still held her
hand. II will call some day and take you |
to the waxworks.'
She smiled as she left me and followed |
Lady lexington from the room. l was |
glad she smiled. l should not have acted |
as did.
During this incident the stiffness in the |
room was terrible. Conversation began |
again. l turned to Lady Marten and be-
gan to speak of Pinero's coming play. But .
she was laughing convulsively.
you wicked, dreadful young man." she