New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-27

AiOlueTSaSL teeilnS tEat she SnOuiu Hoeo HeA
as long she lived. They had been friends in
girlhood and. having married in the same
regiments had been very long separated
since. Now that their husbands had retired on
half-pay. they had both settled in the same pro-
Vtncial town.
Mrs. Prendergast was paying rather late visit
having been. in fact making round to tell her
good news to many friends possible. Her son
Clement during his first year at London hospital
mad gained hundred pounds Exhibition in science.
Having informed Mrs. Sandman of the fact, she
began to enlarge upon the consequent saving. In
sisting that from the day of his birth Clement
had never been anything but source of comfort
and happiness
And Mrs. Sandman listened and smiled with the
bitterest sensations offering profuse consratua-
lions while her small and still attractive face flushed
more and more deeply. Clement Prendergast and
heiNown boy. Hartley, had been at the same local
schools-rivals. in a manner. OF several years
standing. The great anxiety of Mrs. Sandeman's
life concerned Hartleys future Unlike Prender-
CAST, Major Sandman possessed little beyond his
halfpay that there had long been severe
struggle TO maintain that equality of appearances
beneath which Mrs Sandman would not willingly
have sunk
1t had been last determined that HartIey's
profession should be the law, which TO the person
chiefly interested seemed much evil any
other. But after a series of failures over the pre-
Hminary examination, his tutor had candidly adj
vised Major Sandman that further effort would
inevitably prove a waste of time and money
When Mrs. Prendergast had offered condolences
Mrs. Sandman had treated the affair a subject
almost for congra tulation
Hartley has not pettifoggng mind she said
Major Sandman however, insisted that the bow
must not be allowed to spend any time loaf
ing about the town with pipe in his mouth The
Major was a tall, heavily built man, with gray
mustache and q rubicund healthy complexion-a
man of few words In his quandry concerning
Hartley he turned to former friend. the owner
of large business in St. PauPs Churchyard. who
agreed to receive the boy into his counting house
Hartley had been living in London lodgings
nearly year, and only last month had written to
ask his mother for FLO by return OF post Without
a word to her husband she had sent f2. which were
all she could spare the moment This late
afternoon in October she in her dim drawing
room thinking of Hartleys letter. while she smiled
and congratulated and hated Mrs. Prendergast.
And now" said the visitor. when she had en-
larged upon the advantage Of Clements Exhibition
from every possible point or view now is your
''Splenddly," answered Mrs Sandman. "splen-
didly. We have the most favorable reports OF him.
Twice already his salary has been increased He
course, you know that Mr.. Vincent is one OF our
Then YOU hope Hartley may ultimately have a
good position?'
good position already. Mr. Vincent has no s-- Sons
and four daughters. There IS not the slightest
Hartley will become a member of the firm
truthful woman, - but, as she admitted two days
later she really could not help 1t. The admission
the town and Major sandeman was a member
although he seldom touched a cue or a card. Two
CAST had taken him aside. and with great cordially
congra tulated him upon the excellence Of Hartley
40 tell the truth. JIM" said Major Prendergast
a short. slimly built man Of an anxious, nervous
temperament. lit was rather relief after what
What had you heard?' demanded Sandman
"oh, well, boys will be boys-evep ones own; you
sOlSmnly
II couldn't help it. JIM" she exclaimed. ITO sit
there and hear Helena talk about Clements success
WAS more than human nature could endure,
frowned, but sat stolidly in his chair. wondering
what Ted Prendergast had heard (from Clement
no doubt about Hartley who astounded his mother
and father BY arriving home at $50 the following
the sandemans expected guests to dine. and when
the bell rang the Major happened to be in his dress
Jim. cried Mrs Sandman, from the floor be-
"Hartley?" said her husband and walked heavily
downstairs. Joining his wife in the hall the very
ny, With two boxes on the roof 9''OO
Hartley was tall slender young man Of rather
entered entered the house With hangdog air.
OF her CONSERVATION. Mrs. Sandman remembered
hour
and with rueful glance at the inQuisitive house
maid, Hartley went into tho dining room. where
brodery as liable A an 9e tbs OK na Ihdan EN-
ed into fans for the dinner party There to his
parents dismay. he leaned against the wall bury
Ing his face IN his coat sleeve and sobbing ike
small child The story was soon told. He had got
himself TO a ten-pound note and. the inevitable
detection. had been turned neck and crop out OF
spared prosecution.
usual and although Mrs sandemans ne cheeks
were wet, she thought of her now unwelcome
ranged that Hartley should remain in his own
room, partly because his presence at the table
inCOnVenlenL Driu-
eipally Tor the reason that ne had parted with his
rather more heavily than he had come down. and
began methodically to take of his and waist
coat He was the first to enter the drawing room,
where the gas had been lighted and the blinds
paper which had been dropped in the fender He
still had a profound admiration for his wife an
fewer than the Majors ON the I rare 6
when she appeared in an evening dress his eyes
would dwel! upon her a little regretfully. mas
remain hidden under bushel.
But this evening he was quite startled when she
with powder to such an extent that IT looked posi-
late MI. and Mrs Wentworth arrived and At the
same time he perceived the odor of tobacco, un-
from Hartley's bedroom. As Mrs Sandman sat
yoluby talking, Mrs. Wentworth glanced at her
face. then covertly at Mr.. Wentworth but the
hostess continued TO talk without much idea ~
When dinner announced Major Sandeman
made no attempt to move. and Mrs. Sandeman
start, that the visitors rallied him and Hart
ley heard them laughing they downstairs
The soup tureen had beer removed. and the Major
sat abstractedly crumbling his bread when Mrs
Wentworth addressed her hostess
little Tb S~ ago she on ma %ay Ipo the station
table II, perhaps. she had hitherto overlooked
his presence
"Oh yes!" cried Mrs. Sandman with chastity
cheerfuness; 'he arrived more than an hour ago
but he had been so busy to the very last moment
In London that we persuaded him not to come in
Raising his pale placid eyes. Major Sandman
gazed his wife In bewllderment
Has the boy got holiday. Sandeman?'' asked
Mr.. Wentworth
"of course" said the hostess. before the embar-