The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-05-20

6Orice IFdQSeT-SlIQpSOn-t Grdn- ger was but recent innovation due to the belief that Simpson by itself was altogether too hopelessly plebeian to attract even a modicum of attention had consorted with the gilded youth of several capitals, and his education had progressed to such an extent that the youth of Kokomo would have stoned him instantly upon his arrival at the town depot. He ambled with a rocking gait drawn from the guardsmen he had so carefully watched, down the steps or the hotel on to the terrace, and his attire would have attracted notice from a Hindoo idol. He wore spotlessly white f1annels. white shoes pipeclayed to a dazzling degree, a thoroughly British straw hat, chamois gloves and a pale blue scarf held together with a massive pearl.
 For an instant Mime. la Comtesse looked at him and then, with a little cry of greeting, rushed toward the steps and took both his startled hands
 "Ah, my dear Horace Granger Seempsonv' she said excitedly. Has your sister told youY Horace swallowed once or twice savagely end then made q heroic eff fort to keep down the radiance that was choking him, made two effectual dabs at his eyes with the handkerchief he took from his sleeve and responded joyfully, though brokenly:
 ''She has, indeed. I assure you am quite overcome, my dear friends. Really, assure you"
 With a silvery laugh Mime. de Cham pigny stepped backward from him, making little courtesy as she did so. The earl came forward with out stretched hands and grasped one of Horace's between both his own. My dear young& friend" he said. Not at a1l-not at all" As the remark seemed a trife am- biguous, Horace looked at him inquir- ingly, but, reading reinsurance in hir face, replied instantly: .. "I assure you am. I assure you l am. It's quite overpowering, isn't it t2'' With a look of commiseration the countess regarded him and said softly:
 "Ah, poor M. Horacer'
 From his spra wled attitude in the chair the honorable 1Almeric dra awled protest.
 say! OCu Idke IL tudC way, you know. She's very happy" Horace recovered himself instantly and crossed the terrace quickly to grasp the hand of the bridegroom to be. The fact that it was as limp as a mackerel did not worry him an instant
 She's worthy of it-she's worthy of It. I know she isl And when will 1t be, St. Aubyn?' he said.
 
 Enthusiastically "So clear is his grasp of the case, eh?"
 Newcastle flashed her a glance and turned to Horace.
 "Oh, the date?" he said doubtfully. ''I dare say within a year-two years"-
 Ia There was another little cry of pro test from the countess, and the earl glared at her menacingly. Horace started, too. and seemed to be about to enter a positive objection, but he contented himself With saying: A
 "Oh, but I say, you know, isn't that putting it jolly far off? The things settled, isn't it? Why not say a month instead of a yearF
 "Ha-humr' said the earl. "Oh, if you like! I don't know that there is any real oD1ect1On.
 q do, indeed" returned Horace. ''See here. Why not let them marry here in Italy?"
 Newcastle could scarcely conceal his satisfaction, while Mime. de Cham pigny executed bit of pas seul be- hind 'Horace's back.
 "Ah, the dashing methods of you Americansv' returned the earl smil- tngly. You carry things on so! Next you'll be saying, Why not here at Sor- rentor"
 Well, and why not, indeed?'' asked Horace instantly.
 And then" went on Hawcastle, smiling, "and then it will be, Why not within a fortnightT'' ''
 "Right-or' cried Horace. And why not within a fortnight?'
 Almeric sat up and stared at his mo- ble father and brother-in-law to be, but the earl smiled once more that cheerful smile and waved a deprecat- ing hand.
 "Ah, you wonderful people! You are whirlwinds, yet l see no reason why it should not be in a fortnight"
 "Oh, here! say, you know" inter- jected Almeric, heaving himself erect in the chair and waving a protesting crop. The earl turned on him in- stantly.
 "As I say, dear boy, why not?" he inquired suavely, and Almeric wilted immediately.
 "Just as you say, governor" he an- swered meekly.
 Enchanting! Bravar' cried the countess: and Haweastle "a gain turned to the palpitating Horace.
 My son is all impatience," he mur- mured, fixing the young man with his eye.
 Quite so, quite so!' answered Al merle dazedly, and his father went on:
 Shall we dispose of the necessary little details at once-the various mi nor arrangements, the-er-er-settle- ment?" and interrupted himself with a friendly laugh and patted Horace upon the back. Of course as men of the world-ours world-you understand