Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-11-19
CHAPTER Xxx.
Continued.

followed my uncle down the stairs.
Thoroughly vexed and panied as
was 10 hear my dear father so pitiless-
~ disparaged by his brother. 1 was
not ut all surprised at uncle Sans
bitterness. Circumstances seemed to \
show that my father aud l had both /
fallen victims TO the clumsy fraud OF 4
an ignorant old man. But the situo- /
ton bad now become hopeful II I
uncle Sans theory was correct. as l ,
hoped and believed il might prove TO
be. reconciliation OF the brothers was
not only possible but highly probable.
my uncle's recent declaration 10 the
contrary Notwithstanding.
As soon as he entered the brilliant
~ lighted dining room unce Sam as
sumcd his ARREST manner. in no way
indicating the serious thoughts which
had occupied his mind minute or so
before. All the company. except Mr..
Rosenberg. had departed; and my
aunt and Miss Marsh. who were
dressed for dinner. appeared very
charming in white silk robes trimmed
with old lace. each lady wearing a
girdlc from which depended n superb
fan .1fnamented with feathers and
diamonds.
1 shall not attempt 90 describe either
the apartment OK the decking of the
table. being wei assured OF my in
ability 10 do SO. Suffice it TO say that
both were as artistic and luxurious
as the best artists in those things at
the end OF the nineteenth century can
prov Ge FOR men OF lavish expenditure.
A. soon as dinner was over. we adj
5ourncd to the drawing room, with
the exception OF uncle sam. who be-
tool, himself 20 the roof 10 smoke.
saying that he would prefer 70 be
alone rs he bad troubled matter 10
unr;,vcl. and could not accomplish his
purpose without consuming three
cigars. 1T is now" said he. glancins
at hs watch. II few minutes past
min. and l may not see YOU again be-
fore morning. so goodnight and pleas
ant dreams"
Deer old uncle sam, How well
knew the subject on which he intended
10 exercise his thoughts. and how ar.
dcnuy / hoped "a renewal of his friend
ship with my father would result from
his deliberations.
Whether her womanly Instincts had
perceived The attraction which hei
sister had for me- and her kindilness
OF heart prompted her 10 crafty me
or that il so befell OF accident I know
not. but 10 my great satisfaction, OI
returning 10 the drawing room ny
aunt at once entered into conversation
with Mr.. Rosenberg. leaving Mis-
Marsh and me 70 pass our time 81
best we could.
What an evening was thatl Why.
was almost happy and really believ
i should have been quite SO but 10
the shadow OF the arrangement be
tween the two brothers whose live
were bound up with mine.
The conversation of lovers, so dC
lightful to the parties immediatel
concerned. is notably uninterestin
10 everybody else; and it is not N
intention to bring upon myself tina
ridicule which men past the amorou
phase OF their career so mercilesSl
and incOnSistently lete out to the
fellows engaged in il by recordin
in this place my conversation wit
Constance Marsh on that memorial
occasion. Suffice il to say that
telling the tale of the Sequins. whiC
] seized this opportunity to relate.
greatly excited her sympathy. NJ
long silence was forgiven as soon I
ats cause was understood and II WI
clear TO me that had established IN
self ia her favor more firmly ths
ever
Il understand you will be from hon
all tomorrow" l observed.
Yes" replied Miss Marsh. II a
going to Tarrytown. Mrs. Van Rer
selaer has just returned from EuroI
and is TO give a big reception"
Where is Tarrytown. and who
1frs. Van Rensselaer," | inquired.
'Tarrytown is a beautiful villa
on the Hudson. about twenty-five mil
from here. Mrs. Van Rensselaer,
the widow OF Martin Van Renssela'
the railroad king. Everybody
heard OF old Martin Van Renssela
who died two years ago worth 81
million dollars"
Yes, think have read sOmethi
about him somewhere" l said. '"T
me. Connie dear viii the Rev.
Price be thereg"
Il don't know. I'm sure. l he
not" replied Miss Marsh.
81 am qSite unable to express my
light that your entertain such no
May beg you will increase it by Z
ing me why you hope he may not
thereT