Middletown transcript., 1900-10-13
T His Two Constituencies
CHAPTER l.

parted in anger-she in tears. She
smacked me, and (that l should have
to admit itD smacked her back.
you're a nasty, horrid, cruel boyF
she said, sobbing.
The tears brought compunctfon, but
the adjectives prevented ayowal.
Anyway, you're only a girksh girl"
"I'm not!" she responded, stamp
ing her foot. So we parted.
When l came down from Oxford,
many years after, it was deemed neces-
sary that 1 should engage in some use
full employment. Ny dear mother was
most emphatic on the matter. did
not attempt to temporize.
Mater" l said, 81 leave the matter
entirely in your hands; l have the
greatest confidence in your discre-
tion."
She kissed me tenderly, remarklng
that / had always been good son.
We have an estate in Blankshire, and
are in our little way country magnates.
NY mother, who is a woman of sur
prising energy, Immediately COM
menced asking many curious people to
our dinner parties. In short time
I was the accepted conservative can
didate, with Il was informed) fair
prospects of ousting the radical mem
Der at the next general election.
Politics were, therefore, my profes-
sion. Of course, have to make
speeches, but am very intelligent, and
people have published handbooks.
In the intervals, which were not
short, I lived in London happily. Lon
don is pleasant place, and / enjoy it.
/ 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 conservatory.
l was behind an adjacent palm, and
could not easily get away. She alluded
to me unfatteringly, and wound up:
"He has only thousand year,
and will never have much more. So
you must not encourage Gerald Meri-
vale. Now mind, Gertrude"
Gertrude wept little Il am sure OF
this, because her nose was a little red
when we met later, and stopped en-
couraging me. did not blame her
She was quite right. confess like q
girl with robust common sense.
But 1t is not about Gertrude I am
writing. 1t 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 "stunner."
you've no ideah," he said.
"It is not kind of you to say so.''
I'm talkin' about the girl. She's
just come out, and by Joye, isn't she 8
onerl"
What girl?" asked.
"Her names Alice Mansell. Ny aunt,
Lady Ockington, Is running her. The
daughter of Mansell, the Railway John,
ny. They say she's hundred mill
lions"
1 yawned little. Ecstasies always
bore me.
Il know as fact" 1 replied, ".that
the figure you mention Is considerably
below the mark" sE
His jaw dropped "Reallyp. he said.
"or are you at your confoaaded sar-
casm again?"
"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 as you like" interrupted, sooth-
ingly.
you're a"
"a regular tuck in.''
81 tel. you you're an ass.ss
"You presume on your aun l said,
severely.
"But you needn't introduce me. Il
had forgottenfor The moment. / know
her. She was my play ymlate Iussd5to
hit her. In fact I think adopted her.
forgot whethersas sfster;or q daugh-
ter. One Of the two she Ii very fond
of me-"
'I always did think You conceited.
but I'm dashed if EVER
"Win.she be at the Martens this aft
ernoon r., asked.
He replied reluctantly d the affirm
ative.
If have time I'll run In and see
her. : said, taking up . newspaper.
I suppose you'll kiss her. = he said.
scofingly
Certainly =
Bobby retired. l1ttering inar icu1ate
sounds and red in the face.