The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-11-16
r n the dense fog Of the night before


with a hoarse murmur, as If angry tha
its vibrations had no more effect upon
the stout timbers.
Bert Leslie had brought the news to
the gay and rather large party seated
at pretty Mrs. Chester's breakfast
table, for the mistress Of the villa
could not endure the dullness of Long
Island sands without plenty Of men to
admire her and a few women TO envy
and abuse her.
Everybody was dull this morning, so
Il was a relief TO all concerned when
Bert Leslie made his rather unceremo-
nious entrance
81 come TO announce an excitement"
said he. in his usual langud voice, as
he lazlly threw himself into "A chair,
while Mrs. Chester poured him cup
of coffee.
"What is the excltementY demanded
several voices.
"Theres a wreck up the beach"
"Dellghtfulw exclaimed Mrs. Ches-
ter.
And all began TO question Leslie, ana
nobody waited for an answer, after the
usual habit of impatient human ma
ture.
"We must go and see it, Mrs. Ches-
ter said. Kate, do you hcarf DO
look up from that tircsome letter!
Somebody take it away from her
please! Kate Lambert, there's wreck
OH the sands, and you are 10 make Il
sketch of It,"
Miss Lambert folded her Letter, put il
by her plate. and answered, quietly:
ITO hear is to obey, / suppose. Is 1t
really wreck. Mr. LeslicY
1t is very heartlcss OF you TO spoil
my attempt at sensation 10y being so
matter-of fact" he answered, and |
don't pretend TO be so truthful as
General Washington. But a brig did
really come to shore last night In the
fog. aud VIII probably go to pieces be
fore they get her off"
"No matter \ wreck Is a wreck" 4"
Mrs Chester said, and then she pen
slvely added, "At least it might have
been "A West Indian thing
Sorry; it was only loaded with
grain."
Amy way, we must go and see it,
1T Will look quite picturesque at
night" Bert said, so we will walt till
tbcu."
"And how are we to exist III the
meantmep demanded Mrs. Chester.
Everybody has grown 50 stupid! |
declare, solemnly, / never saw such n
set of people, and you're getting just
rs bad as the rest of them, Bert Les
lie. Isn't he, KateY"
''As far as stupidity goes, ! am not
prepared TO Judge; in regard TO bad
ness, thought Mr.. Leslie was always
pre-cmincnt," returned she carclessly.
Good! Brayow pronounced the
men.
"She has not forgiven you for your
sighting remarks about the patr,archs
last night" said Mrs Chcstc".
Bert was looking full at Mss Lam
bert, smiling and perfectly at ease,
but as she glanced at him something
in his eyes-and they were grca.. hon
est, mournful eyes, in spite of his rcpu-
tation-made her sorry for her words.
zone would think had pcrpetratcd
bon mot instead of a simple stupid
ity." said she, contemptuous!y glanc-
ins toward the giggling men,
Now, don't retract,' cried Mrs.
Chester. "Shall she, Bcrt?'
Naturally, | am nattcrcd at Miss
Lambert's taking the trouble To think
enough about me to have an opinion at
ALL" he replied in lazy voice, and
looking at her he saw that he had at
last succeeded in veXing her. That
was an Improvement on the indincr-
ence with which she had treated him
during the eek of their acquaintance.
Then there was general rising from
the table, and Bert Leslie took that
opportunity TO go up to Miss Lambert.
rs she stood for a moment looking out
on the lawn, idly twisting her letter
in her hands
$50 you think me bad?' he asked alb
ruptly.
Yes she answered, "and fear the
most hopeless part of the matter is
that you pride yourself on it,
81 think not" he said. muSingly; IL
am sure not. Just now, Miss Lambert.
i would give a great deal to be good.
His voice was SO different from his
ordinary tone that she looked 0t him
In surprise.
"The only way is TO try, then help
comes" she said, quickly
'Does it?' he asked. wondcrlngly.
Up iioated Mrs. Chester, in the full
flow of brilliant spirits. and Miss
Lambert turned in answer To ques
tion one of the children was asking.
Sometimes so slight a thing makes
the beginning OF rea' acquaintance
these brief words had placed Bert
Leslie on very different footing with
Miss Lambert from That which he had
occupied before.
she had come dowr TO that quiet
place prejudced against the young
man, though she had never knowr
him. and she was not girl to forgv,
what she believed his vices. as IN,
world forgave. because be was rich
handsome and brilliant.
She had not avoided him. she haI
done what was much more aggravat
ing-she had ignored him i'm the mag
nificent way she could do such things
treating him with an indifference,
which must have been n joyful spccta
Gle for the other IN 20 witness.
or course. this very treatment cause,
Bert TO observe her closely. lie ma,