New-York tribune., 1903-08-30

staircase He gave me his arm and led me TO
the library. where his two guests. Lord Walk
ington and Sir Frederic Goe, were talking with
Randall st. John Randall was always at the
Hall. Lord Walkington was agreeable and hand
some, Sir Frederic very good natured. They
were seated either side of me at dinner
Randall being Philips right hand. I was
not obliged to keep the ball of conversation
rolling-the men did the talking Philip was
the only exception. He held UP his end well
when necessary. but otherwise preferred to be
listener.
Lord Walkington and Sir Frederic had trav-
elled much; they were deeply interested In the
States" and in ways. They discussed
every subject of interest in our country, and I
listened, anxious to learn. When dessert was
served the South and TIE negro question were
introduced. Sir Frederic asked many questions.
among others why the negro was so much more
looked down upon in America than IN England.
With US" he said. "a wouldn't be
thought much the worse for a touch Of the tar
brush as it's called, but understand it is diff
ferent here. 1 told that matter how
well educated or wealthy might be.
white in the States would marry him
if he had but one drop of negro blood in his
veins. Is that true?"
DO you mean a white woman a white
lady?" asked Randall
Remembering Miss Schwarz, in Vanity Fair"
I wondered if Sir Frederic, black haired and
swarthy, had himself a touch OF the brush
alluded
Well" said Randall. you see the man you
are imagining would not could not be a gentle
man out and out because his mother would not
be a ladyi'
You she would have been mulatto-
mulattress- -quadroon-octoroon-Tm not famil-
n 7 ,1,i+o
stand that aIso"-waving his hand cheerfuly-
that the man in question. equally of course.
would be iIlegitimate Still let say his father
had had him educated, given him fine start
in life let US suppose even given him the right
to use his name. Now, as I understand it-7set-
ting the so-called stain Of illegitimacy one
side-no American lady would consent to marry
such a man simply because of those few drops
of negro bood-not even If he loked white as
sher'
Randall, amused smiled at me-
why don't you ask Miss Dean?" he drawled.
| 'She's an American girl. On that subject I
| guess they all think alike"
I did not thank Randall for dragging me into
! this disagreeable conversation. I knew Philip
| too found the subject little to his taste. and
| felt It might better have taken place in my alb
sence. He had not spoken, but amused himself
| twisting his glass. brimmed high with Bur
| gundy, around and around by its slender stem.
watching the play of light through the big, red
| bubble and the curious shadow Of a stain
| thrown on the white damask beneath. At Ran
! dars words he broke his long silence.
| Miss Dean" he said, coldly and slowly. was
| born and brought up in a foreign land. She can
| not be expected to understand the prejudces OF
| her countrywomen."
Don't you believe him. SIR Frederic cried
| Randall. 1T makes no sort of difference where
she born and bred! It's in the blood. They
| all have the same code. You wouldn't marry a
| chap with darky blood In him, Miss Dean, would
| your
1 shook my head
Not If he were an Adonis-white as marble.
wise as Solon and rich Cresus?"
mo"
There! What did tell you, Sir Frederick
| Sir Frederic not satisfied.
| Pardon me- Miss Dean. for more questions
| but this interests me greatly. Say you met such
! man. loved him. engaged yourself to him, all
! without knowing his secret, what then?"
Il should break the engagement-and my
heart" I said lightly rising from table since
| dessert was over, and Lord Walkington looked
| impatient for his cigar. l anxious to es-
| cape
"One moment" cried Sir Frederic "just one
more question before you go. Suppose you
found out after marriage-ah, answer seriously.
| please Miss Dean, really wish to know"
I Seriously then" I said gravely, "if such
/ awful fate We're to be mine
I got no further. for at that moment the stem
! OF the glass Philip was still twisting snapped of
/ short and the wine not only inundated the ta-
/ becloth but was flung in great splashes upon
RandaIs shirtfront, where it looked unpleasant
" like blood
oh. confound you. Erranti" he cried, starting
UP in great wrath. That's too damned care
less. don't you know"
Philip. bowling from the room. seemed
neither to see nor hear. His apologies were
made later-if at all.
I did not see the Englishmen again. BY that
evening the house filed with noisy crowd
from town, and the two strangers left early the
next morning.
ITO be centinued.)
! SAVINGS BANK IN MAINE ROBBED