Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-02-20
| 6b1!e Nee, q
| Arabian x
By : ~: $$s$s. Nights
friends, to tear up the bonds Of ,

He was unable to continue, for his
emotion choked him, and he began to
weep.
Lady Vandeleur looked at him with
curious expression.
'"This little FOOL" she thought "imag-
ines himself to be in love with me-
Why should he not become my servant
instead of the generals? He is good
natured, obliging. and understands
dress. and. besides. it will keep him
out of mischief. He is positively too
pretty to be unattached"
That night she talked over the gener-
al, who was already somewhat asham-
ed of his vivacity, and Harry was
transferred to the feminine depart
mept, where his life was little short of
heavenly. He was always dressed
with uncommon nicely, wore delicate
flowers in his buttonhole and could en-
terrain a visitor with tact and pleasan-
try. He took a pride in servility to a
beautiful woman, received Lady Van
deleur's commands rs so many marks
Of favor and was pleased to exhibit
himself before other men. who derided
and despised him in his character of
male lady's maid and man mi!liner.
Nor could he think enough of his ex-
istence from a moral point of view.
Wickedness seemed to him an essential
ly male attribute, and to pass ones
days with a delicate woman, and prin-
cipally occupied about trimmings. was
m i,71, hit no nfo1 icln %ho
storms of life.
One fine morning he came into the
drawing room and began to arrange
some music on the top Of the piano.
Lady Vandeleur. at the other end of
the apartment, was speaking somewhat
eagerly with her brother, Charlie Pen
dragon, an elderly young man, much
broken with dissipation and very lame
of one foot. The private secretary, to
whose entrance they paid no regard,
could not avoid overhearing a part of
their conversation.
To-day or never" said the lady.
!"Once and for all, it shall be done to-
day."
To-day, If it must be-" replied the
brother, with sigh. "But it is false
step, a ruinous step, Clara, and we
shall live to repent it dismally."
Lady Vandeleur looked her brother
steadily and somewhat strangely in the
face.
'You forget" she said. THE man
must die at last"
upon my word, Clara" said Pen
dragon Il believe you are the most
heartless rascal in England"
"You men," she returned, "are so
coarsely built that you can never ap-
preciate shade Of meaning. You are
yourselves rapacious, violent, immodest,
careless of distinction, and yet the least
thought for the future shocks you in a
woman. I have no patience with such
stuff. You would despise in a common
banker the imbecility that you expect
ceind in u.s.
you are very likely right" replied
her brother. "You were always clev-
erer than I. And, anyway, you know
my motto, The family before ALL
Eyes, Charlie" she returned, taking
his hand in hers, 81 know your motto
better than you know it yourself. And
Clara before the family! Is not that
the second part of it? Indeed you are
the best Of brothers, and / love you
dearly"
Mr.. Pendragon got up, looking little
confused by these family endearments.
II had better not be seen," said he
Il understand my part to miracle,
and I'll keep an eye on the Tame Cat"
"Do,' she replied. HE is an abject
creature and might ruin ALL"
She kissed the tips of her fingers to
him daintily, and the brother withdrew
by the boudoir and the back stair.
"Harry,'' said Lady Vandeleur turn
ing toward the secretary as soon as
they were alone, Il have commission
Tor you this morning. But you shall
take cab. l cannot have my secretary
freckled.''
She spoke the last words with en-
phasis and look of half motherly
pride that caused great contentment to
poor Harry, and he professed himself
charmed to find an opportunity of serv-
ing her.
ut is another of our great secrets"
she went on archly, land no one must
know Of it but my secretary and me,
Sir Thomas would make the saddest
disturbance, and if you only knew how
weary l am Of these scenes! Oh, Har-
~, Harry, can you explain to me what
makes you men so violent and unjust?
But, indeed, l know you cannot. You
are the only man in the world who
knows nothing of these shameful pas
sions. You are SO good, Harry, and so
kind! You, at least. can be woman's
friend. And, do you know, think you
rake the others more ugly by COM
:. son"
i .,'.::," sa' ~".':v gallantlv.
"4:o are 81. Eiia y ~ treat me
like
Like mother" interposed Lady
Vandeleur. Il try to be mother to
you, or at least" she corrected herself
with a smile. almost
afraid III 1nc v;,,.;