The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-24
CHAPTER ".
THE FIGURE IN WHITE.


THE FIGURE IN WHITE.
Having nearly arrived at the mature
age OF lS Miss Olivia Matthews consider
% herself qualified to give her father ad-
vice on all matters OF Importance.
Tom Broxton was a matter of import
ance. one which came up with increasing
frequency and growing Importantly as
HIS term at college rounded To its end.
On the subject OF what was or what
vas not best for Tom the small monitor
assumed large airs OF gravity and deco
rum which tempted one TO smile into her
aimpied face. Not that she would have
eountenanced such levity for an instant.
She took herself In her relation as semi
guardian to the last OF the Broxtons
quite seriously. Ever since that dismal
Gay on which they had laid the dear colo
mel TO rest under the weeping willows of
the Vaudeville churchyard and brought
Tom to stay temporarily at the Matthews
cottage while arrangements for his fu-
ture" were perfecting she had come TO
hook upon him as In some sense her per-
sonal charge.
That had been four years ago. The
years have healing properties for the
young which they lose in later years. n
correspondence had been one OF the ineV-
ttable consequences OF Olle's self-eiect-
cd guardianship and Toms craving for
friendship.
His IL months of seniority, which count
ed for little on the calendar, were entirely
reversed In their social relations. In
their letters be figured quite III years
her junior. She never forgot his birthday.
1t was always remembered by a gift
CHOSEN with view ~ mans ever re-
curing demand for neckties, gloves or
the like and always sent accompanied by
q neat little homily on the approaching
years OF responsibility. prettily indited
on her best society stationery.
Fresh from the perusal OF an efusive
letter of thanks for the latest donation or
gloves and advice. Olivia sagely wrinkled
her brows and looked across the break
fast table AT her father
Just to think papa, the dear boy Is is
years old, L suppose he Will be putting on
all the airs OF a grown man when he gets
back. i can hear the beating of restless
wings in each letter more distinctly. That
is as 1t should be. If | were a man,
know I should strain at the leash Violent
ly long before the college doors closed up
on me-
Her metaphors were somewhat mixed.
but as she was preparing her fathers
second cup of coffee with just so much
TO look out for itself. so
The lawyer. deep i'm his own mail
matter glanced UP quickly, showing
dark unsmiling face.
'.Who is straining AZ the leash my
dear?"
,.Oh. that was just a figure of speech!
/ was talking about Tom. I've got an
absurdly grateful letter from him, thank
ing me for his gloves. II | had sent
shoestring he would have waxed just as
eloquent over H. Tom is a wee bit
sophomore. / must admit but time will
tone all that down"
She was conscious of a very abstract
ed auditor
Her fathers head had been lifted just
so long as his hand had been extended
for the cup of coffee. He was once more
poring over his mornings mail with knit
ted brows. Her maltese cat. always dis
creetly observant of the progress of
the meal. gently reminded her by vel
vet paved caress that he was waiting TO
be served. Her canary bird. swinging
IN it's gilded cage i'm the sunny bow
window. shrilly monopolized the realm of
sound.
Her fathers absorption in letters
which properly belonged to his office
work was an infringement of her most
cherished household regulation. She in
terfercd despotically.
Papa, you know I regard the break
fast hour as my exclusive property. You
are breaking my rules"
The dark face opposite her was lifted.
The light OF a mighty love illumined It's
gloomy eyes. Lawyer Matthews pushed
his letters from him in heap and smiled
You are right. my queen Of hearts.
rs you always are. beg your pardon
for my rude inattention. I am all yours
You were saving -
Nothing very profound" She smiled
with restoring good humor II have
been wondering what We are going To do
with Tom Broxton when he comes back
10 Mandeville for good. lie can't live
alone in that great barn OF house. He
would meet a ghost at every turn And
he could not live here with us. Every
old woman's tongue in Vaudeville would
chorus improper. What on earth can
we do with tho poor boy?'
Twice during her remarks her father
had taken of his glasses. wiped them
abstractedly and replaced them on his
nose with nervous energy Instead OF
the direct answer her direct question in
yited. he looked straight over her head
through the vine clothed bow window.
frowning incidentally at tho shrilling ca
nary.