St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-05-25

QoL play a C0ELdIu musical SO1QOLQ1n2,
the theme of one of the bard's effu-
Eions, and at once Jocelyn Wray COM
piled Lord Ronsdale stood sedulously
near, turning the leaves. Steele watch
ed the def hand It was slim, arts
kocratie and suggested possibilities in
legerdemain.
can attractive looking part" whis-
pered q woman near John Steele to
another Of her sex during a louder
passage in the number. care they
'I don't know, my dear. Perhaps.
She's extremely well off in this worlds
goods, and he has large properties, but
"a diminishing income She lowered
her voice rather abruptly as the ca.
dence came to pause. The music
went on again to its appointed and
spirited climax.
'FWas formerly in the diplomatic
service, believe" the voice also went
on; "has strong political aspirations,
and, with a wealthy and clever wife,
ga girl might do worse. He is both
cold and capable-an ideal combination
for a political career-might become
prime minister-with the prestige of
his family and hers to-
John Steele stirred The whispering
ceased. My lord turned the last page.
The girl rose and bent for an instant
her fair head. And as Steele looked at
her again there came over him-this
time, it may be, not without certain
bitterness-an impression Of life and
it's joys-springtide and sunshine,
bright, remote-so remote-for him.
A babel of voices replaced melody.
The people got up. A number fingered.
Many went after speaking to their
hostesses and Sir Charles. John Steele,
at the rear, looked at the door leading
into the main hall toward the young
girl, then stepped across the soft rugs
and spoke to her. She answered in the
customary manner, and others ap-
preached. He was about to draw back
to leave when
ooh, Mr.. Steele" she said, my I'M
Gle wishes to see you before you go.
He was saying he had some''-
"Quite right, my dearw And Sir
Charles, who had approached, took
John Steeles arm. "Some curious old
law books I picked up today at bar
gain and want your opinion Of" he
went on, leading the other into lofty
and restful apartment adjoining the
library. Steele looked around him.
His gaze frightened as it rested on
the imposing and finely bound vol
umeS.
you have superb collection Of
books" he observed, with a sudden
quick look at his host.
eyes. I rather pride myself on my
library" said Sir Charles complacent-
ly. ''Lost good many of the choicest,
though" he went on in regretful
tones, ''some years ago as 1 was re-
turning to Australia. A rare lot Of
law books, a library in themselves, as
well as a large collection of the cias-
sizes, the worlds poets and historians,
went down with the i'll fated Lord
Nelson"
"Ah?"' John Steele looked away. IA
great mart, London, for fine editions"
he said absently after pause.
'eIt is. But here are those l spoke
off, And Sir Charles indicated a num-
Der Of volumes on large center table.
John Steele handled them thoughtful
about them. A choice copy of one of
the Elizabethan poets, intruding itself
in that august company, then attracted
Steele's attention. He picked it up,
weighed and caressed it with gentle
fingers.
"WhO shall measure the influence Of
"a little parcel like this?'' he said at
length lightly.
''True." Sir Charles eye caught the
title. "As Portia says, TT blesseth
him that gives and him that takes
Excellent bit Of binding too. But, -
with new zest, take any interest in
rare books Of the ring, full of eight
zenith century colored prints, and so
on?''
81 can't say at present that the do
ings Of the ring or the history Of pugil-
lists attract me-"
'"That's because you've never seen an
honest hard fought battle perhaps?"
ga fattering designation, I should
say, of the spectacle of two brutes dis
figuring their already repulsive Wis
agesv'
1.-TWO brutes - disfguring?" the
drawing voice Of Lord Ronsdale, who
had at that moment stepped in, in
quired. MAY I ask what the-talk is
about?'
Sir Charles turned. "Steele was diff
fering from me about a good, old hon
est English sport-the ring, it's tradi-
lions, it's chronicles
"Ah!' The speaker looked at John
lott IL,
regarding the pages Of book he yet
held
"For my part" went on Sir Charles
in a somewhat disappointed tone, 81
am one who views with regret the
decadence of great national pas
time"
"Well, it's overY' the light tones of
Jocelyn Wray interrupted The girl