The Washington herald., 1908-07-19

I warm red preoonin2ted- The curtains
were OF genuine FIorentine brocade: the
gilded wooden frames Of the pictures had
assumed a quiet and unobtrusive- tone.
In this room George Vennable. then a dis
tinguished don at Oxford. had met HIS
Alicia Nothing had changed since then:
not piece OF furniture had been moved:
the tea equipage was the same. But the
people about the OctagonaI tea table we're
/ fve-and-twenty years older. During that
| period the parson had buried his wife and
his ambition: and now he had Joy. dear
I child-dear. good child-and his collec-
[ tons Poor old Giles had nobody. OF
Z his seven children, not one remained 20
cheer his declining years. Two were dead,
| three sons were out IN the world. the
girls had married neighbors; one was the
/ wife OF Col Jaliand's eldest son. and the
other. not without much consideration.
I had consented to become the helpmate Of
/ the rector OF Hagley Marsh. who had
abundant private means. and was quite
( likely 10 be made q colonial bishop.
Yes, yes. said Sir Giles. thawing IN
der the geniality OF George Vennable's
manner You are right. my dear fell
I low: We have had much 10 be grateful
/ for. and this cOnfounde6 plague must be
I fought tooth and nail We are lucky 10
have young Tisdale; a very clever fellow.
young Tisdale-sound. very sound I IN
derstand he was sent for al once?"
joy sent for him said the parsOn.
smiling family. sensible OF his own lin
itatiOns and the limitations Of those about
hira- He knew-none better!-that before
God and yulan this inflated stupid. kindly.
ComPlaCeEt egOist was the murderer OF
little Nellie MOwland- And he. George
Nennable. had been accessory before the
fact Had he chosen 10 pit his powers OF
persuasion against the others obstinacy.
the sites would have been swept away
long ago. The pars0n stroked his we'll
shaven chin and smiled. but in his blue
eyes lay shadows. Sir Giles was abso-
lutely assured that he. as landlord. had
done all that was possible. George Ven
nabie never willfully deceived anybody.
not even himself,
Or Snelgrove is our medical attend
ant" remarked Miss Priscilla we have
more confidence in a man Of years and
experience
George Vennable shook his head
Ny dear lady. parsons. doctors. and
schOolmasters ought 10 be young and
strong and keen" He pushed back his
chair Good night Giles. good night.
Priscilla We received the parcel Of linen.
Lavinia- Many thanks"
He was escaping when Miss Priscilla
called him back Such an opportunity
for discussing matters OF grave domestic
import might not occur again
One moment. George
Certainly"
He turned. Miss Priscilla had risen.
but Lavinia remained seated. her mouth
open. her eyes protrudfng. a wrinkle be
tween her arched eyebrows. as Il she
were wondering what her elder sister
was about TO say. and doubtful whether
she could say it adequately on the spur
OF impulse Sir Giles had crossed to the
chimney-piece to ring the bell. He, too.
paused. standing on the hearth rug. ad-
justing his pince-nez. staring at hts sister
something unexpected
You know. OF course. that Esme Bur
CESS has left the village
We sPeeded his departure
Is Il iudiscreet 20 ask II there is any
understanding between the young peO-
ple2-
George vennable twisted HIS lips into
whimsical smile.
There's more true understanding be
tween those two than between all cE Us
put together. but you don't mean that
I don't mean that. George. and I don't
believe IL You know what mean. There
has been some talk
You drive me into corner Officially.
I know nothing. but suppose there Is I
what you call an understanding Joy
might do worse"
she might do a deal better" snapped
Miss Priscilla
What has the young man got2-' said
Sir Giles. heavily. but with a g,eam OF
interest in his eye
Marriages Of kiEsmen were serious af- |
fairs. because, II arranged upon lines not
sound the high contracting parties were
likely 70 come to want, and then became /
an iucumbrance upon heads OF families :
Esme Burgess had reckless blood in his /
veins.
He has five hundred a year replied /
George Veunable; and with his fellow /
ship. and what he makes by scrfbbling-" /
Sir Giles held up his hand.
No young fellow IN his position should /.
marry upon less than a thousand 1
year" He glanced at the aunts. who I
never failed him upon these occasions.
I quite agree said Miss Priscilla
Miss Lavinia murmured: The mini 4
mum
George Vennable edged nearer the door. /
HIS blue eyes were twinkling as he fired 4
q Parthian shot
IN any case" he said lightly. 7 shall /
give Joy a free hand IN the choice OF a
husband She must marry 10 please her
self. God bless heri not to please me-Or
you Goodnight"
He walked home not quite 50 brisklv
as usual. thinking Of JOY and the future
He had reason to believe that he would
not make very old bones. and tonight
his responsibilities as father and parson
added new burden TO increasing years.
He sighed more than once. and blinked 1,
1t the stars. which did not seem. some
how. to shine very clearly. Twice he L
splashed into puddle. much 10 HIS ex-
2speration. because he was scrupulous
about the condition Of his clothes.
Dear me"' he muttered. There are
l lot Of puddles-" Il
Then the philosOphic habit came to his
'escue- MOrtals. he reflected. had to
walk In the dark sometimes. with no bet
er light than stars twinkling behind ;
Tracks OF cloud; and. pick ones way how
me might. q man could hardly hope 10
,scape puddles.
Accordingly, he pushed on with a long
= step til he reached the rectory. where
10y was awaiting him, with a smile upon .
Ter lips Invariably, II at home, she vel
'omed him Ike this. and perhaps he
'ad come TO accept such obiations as a ]
natter OF course. But tonight. when she
'rought his slippers. and settled him into
N easy-chair by the fire, he glanced at !
Ter with apprehension.
What is the matter?'' she asked. D
As I came home. I wondered what I
hould do without you"
She laughed gayly. (
You darling old fuss-potl You don't
hink that I'm in any dangerg' 4
Not from diphtheria. perhaps"
Good gracious, What do YOU .rneang'' Z
II you should marry the wrong :
nan-' :
The wrong man?'' For an instant she