The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-30
CHAPTER vI.-tcontInuedl

danger OF IT'S fading memory. lie was
placidiy sure he should never see anything
prettler, sweeter or more entirely 10 be
desired than Olivia Matthews. She was
the cornerstone OF his vision. He cid not
propose TO be in any clumsy haste about
asking her TO be his wife. She was too
young and so was he. He was glad ms
youth was the most serious impediment.
Some fellows had 10 labor so hard before
daring 10 speak OF love TO their chosen
ones For the first time in his life he
rejoiced in the possession OF great riches.
For your sake, little one. all for you!
You looked regal In your jewels tonight.
You shall have every desire of your
heart Ollie. mine!"
He apoetrophized his new found love
fervently and mutely while he was hold
Ing out the cigar box to her father
His beautiful vision had come 10 him
entirely unbidden. When he obeyed
Oivia's urgent telegram ito come, II
was solely with the good natured motive
OF entirely sanctioning the free use or his
house and all that IL contained. The
little girl wrote that she would be much
better satised II he shared the respon-
sibility of welcoming her friends TO Brox-
ton hall That her father was not In
entire accord with this sentiment Tom
was just finding out. But even Ollle's
father was only a bit OF the necessary
background daubed into Toms portrait OF
q lady.
While the lawyer talked lugubrlously or
the depreciation OF property in and
around Vaudeville Tom smoked and
unused When he had mastered a pro-
fession and was actually lawyer I'm MS
own right. he should turn his attention
toward making Broxton Hall very beauti-
ful. ollie had said the wall paperins
. ghn
be replaced by something more modern
and distinctly cheerful. Then-oh, sew
eral years further on in the future, per-
haps when his guardian should have
taken him into full partnership-he would
ask Ollie to marry him.
1t had all been arranged 10 his entire
mental satisfaction in the time IL had
taken them to consume their water ices.
amid a lot of laughter and nonsense sucn
as only the young and light hearted know
how to intermngle with their feasting.
Ii seemed such an entirely proper ell
max to his social relations with his guar
dian that IL would have been almost
like doubling Providence to entertain the
slightest fear OF nonfruition.
Mr. Matthews had fingered later than
the smoking of cigar demanded. His
saddled horse was champing the bit rest
lessly at the rack outside. IL would be
absurd to tell the boy what he had seen
in his fathers study that other night.
and yet he had some compunctions about
letting Tom risk a similar experience 10y
remaining alone at the Hall He had
not been able TO account for that occur
renee TO himself yet
II am sorry, Thomas. we have not
bed to offer you at the cottage, he said
apologetically." but Olivia's dressmaker
UP from the city. occupies our only spare
room"
Don't mention II. sir
"You are sure you don't object TO stay
ing here by yourself tonight"
Tom stretched his handsome eyes wide
Here In my own house? Why no. sir.
why should II I expect 10 spend
great many nights here alone when get
through with college life.
"Um-yes. perhaps / have a good deal
TO say to you on that subject. Tom.
hardly anticipated talking with you on
It before your graduation. You know
your being here is complete surprise to
me"
'Something OF one to me. too. sir, said
Tom, with a clear. frank laugh ollie
wrote me that must come. and fancy
we all obey when she commands"
..Orvia Is a spoiled child, nothing but
q spoiled child" said her father. so stiffly
that a much duller witted man than Tom
Broxton would have captured his mean
ing.
Tom laughed again.
II am afraid that after tonight sir. the
world will decline your definition. The
chryselis never reverts 10 the grub
Mr. Matthews waved his hand inn
periousiy 1--WE were speaking OF your
self. Thomas. Olivia has occupied our
attention 20 the exclusion OF more i'm
portant things. ] presume you return
20 college tomorrow
mo. sir That would get me back TO
my rooms on Friday. My leave Of alb
sence permits me 20 spend Sunday at
home"
'.Oh. n doesv
Yes. sir" He was not unmindful OF
the uncorhial acceptance the idea met
with.
"weli, then. there is more time for
talking over affairs than expected
Now that you are here we may as well
discuss several projects which I have on
foot for your beneft-Broxton Hall. for
instance. Westover has taken great
fancy TO Il. That was one OF my objects
In holding the fete here The old place
put Its best foot fofwfSost 20 night.
westover wants n house just this size
Now that his daughter Jeanne is IN So
ciety they will be wanting 10 entertain
good deal. presume. He is charmed
with the place"
Tom flushed hotiy.
'Of course. sir. you told him that Brox-
ton was not in the market"
No my dear boy. 7 told him MOTH
ing Of the kind II would have been mos,
III advised. have made n rule I'm
life never 10 slam a door In n mans face
unless ] am quite sure am on tho righ,
side Of e."
'1 hope you would not advise me "a
sell the OLD place. Mr.. Matthews
might lease II for time 7 expect "a
bring my wife here. have never
thought OF any other place a. home"
leased property runs 90 the devil fast
enough. Tom. Broxtcn r. neediessiy
large and expensive establishment FOR
n solitary young gentleman"
hut perhaps I shall not always be soil.
tary. sir. Men marry. you know" This
with q vfsffui smile and look that
seemed 20 appeal for. comprehension. But
his guardian knew well how 10 harden
hfs heart In the day OF provocatior. This
attachment Of tise boy IN the old horn-
sfsdd had come 10 him an n disagreeabis
surprise. He braced himself against the
shcck Of n.
s'Yes men dc marry: boys not often