Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-08
LACK FRIDAY.
BY FREDERIC S. ISIIAM,
Copyright. 1904. the Bobos-Merrin Company,
CHAPTER XIII.
A Day for Reflection.
Author Of Under the Rose, The Strollsrs.

A Day for Reflection.
If Mr.. Rossiter had apprehended that the
ties that bound his daughter to him would
be weakened under the new conditions OF
her Hfe he was doomed to agreeable DIS
appointment On the contrary, the bond
between them seemed to become stronger,
and, at this period. they were often seen
| together. The social season in town mao
| long since waned, and had been succeeded
| of spring had become the full-perfumed
| flowers of early summer; they bloomed IN
| park and garden and threw their redolence,
| as far as might be, out over the dusty city.
| The air still retained a freshness, but the
| crimson sun. sinking every night in blaze
| of glory, gave promise of sultry days to
come
Calling on the morning after his visit to
Wall street at his daughters home, Mr..
| Rossiter was shown into the great drawing
room While waiting for Elinor to appear,
| he critically examined the pictures with
| which the walls We're adorned. From the
| painted canvases he passed on to his own
| reflection, depicted in the pier glass
| which from floor to ceiling. As he stood.
| a fine, aristocratic figure, casually survey
| ing himself his daughter entered.
Pausing at the threshold to draw on her
] gloves, she could not but notice the express
sion of satisfaction on his thin features. He
was half smiling while adjusting his white
| mustache, as if his nominations were far
Good morning, papa?'-and she stood,
tall form in blue, by his side.
Good morning. my dear. l see you are
ready for walk"
Still holding her hand he surveyed her.
How well you are looking9
And you" she laughed quickly, though
with some restraint, Il never saw you look
ing younger or in better spirits"
ITO tell you the truth. l never felt bet
teri he answered. "a little business mat
ter, my dear, that has terminated-well,
rather better than we thought. But will
tell you about 1T as we go along.
Suppose we go into the park, and you
can tell me about it there she said, almost
gayly.
Mr. Rossiter assented, and In few mo-
mentS they descended together the formid-
able array of steps leading into the street.
Within the little garden the distant rum
bling of the busy thoroughfare sounded like
the monotonous breaking of the surf, Its
pulsations steady, deep, apparently never
ending.
well. papa?"
She was bending over Towering bush
and he, with well-pleased eyes, had been
watching her. but at her words he started.
'Bless me, had nearly forgotten!'
Elinor looked up.
Confess" she said, as they stroled down
the path, you were thinking of some ia
yorite verses.
gets too old for poetry"
Some never care for it," she returned.
thoughtfully.
Never care for itr he expostulated.
What heresy!"-and proceeded to tell her
of the message he had received from Rich
ard Strong, the visit to Wall street and the
result of their interview.
She listened attentively. but said nothing:
only looked at him earnestly and appeared
to be thinking deeply.
II don't think much of the bonds myself
for venture. continued Mr.. Rossiter,
cheerily. but 1 notice that in the Journal
of Commerce several firms are bidding fifty
for them today"
rs that-what you sold them for?"
Eyes, Mr.. Strong undoubtedly bought
them for n speculation. Well, 1 hope they
will go higher! Goodness knows, l was
glad enough to get them OFF my hands at
any prlce!'
Speculation" ElInor felt sure Richard
Strong was opposed to all that the word
implied. What then had moved him to buy
this questionable southern paper? She
pursed her brow. she wanted time to think;
here it seemed impossible; perhaps out on
the noisy streets
''of course she said hastily, SIN a mat
ter like this Mr.. Strong probably consid-
cred both sides carefully. But our walk,
papa-we must not miss that!
He swung the cane lightly. 'sNo. in
deedf" he assented, following her down the
path.
So many people were out and the thor
oughfares appeared so animated, Mr.. Ros-
sitter did not observe his daughters sub
sequent preoccupatlon. Moreover, she UNI
consciously walked a little faster than
usual. and the old gentleman, in adapting
his step to hers, found the brisk exercise
not entirely conducive to conversation. Ac-
cordingly, he contented himself with bow
ing here and there, with occasional COM
ments on the people they met. r-.a
To these and other passing remarks she
answered mechanically. She remembered
she had once, in her solicitude for her
father, referred to the bonds in a SEEM
ingly careless manner to Mr.. Strong and
that his reply had been non-committal. He
ID not know exactly what they were worth
or whether they could be sold.
AS she reviewed this incident suddenly
her face became tinted with color; her
heart beat a little faster. She felt both
Inundated and annoyed
But this feeling soon passed. Her father