The Washington herald., 1914-08-23

not quite" The memory of some OF his
attempts in that direction came sweeping
over him and he was in danger OF blush
ing.
Guessing at q Romance.
And / can smoke a weet-a cigar. you
know. I've learned that"
20 Verdant, you naughty boy" cried
Mrs. Green. Il was deadly afraid that
Charles Larkyns would teach you all his
wicked school habits
This attack upon the character Of
Charles Larkyns was not TO pass un-
challenged. Little Miss Mary at once
bridled up.
Why. mama" cried she, all gentle
men smoke and I suppose that Mr..
Charles Larkyns and Verdant must do
as others do But l daresay, Verdant,
that Mr.. LarLyns taught you more use
full things than smoking"
From this little ebullition OF little Mary
her attitude toward Mr.. Charles LarlSyns
may be vaguely guessed.
20 yes. ne taught me to grill deviIed
bone" went on Verdant.
Grill a devilT" almost sobbed Aunt
Virginia, Infatuated young man"
The venerable spinster thought of her
will and Of the advisability of altering
a csttain clause in il which dealt with
Mr.. Verdant Green.
And to make shandy-gaff, and sherry
cobbler, an ''egg-hip' went on the rois-
tering blade: 20 it's capital I'll teach
you how to make it and wen have some
tonight"
other Kinds of knowledge.
And thus the young gentleman aston
ished his family with the extent OF his
learning and proved how a youth of
naturally good attainments may acquire
at a great university. other knowledge
than what simply pertains to classical
literature.
And so much experience had our hero
gained that, when the long vacation was
over and he returned to Brazenface with
his firm and fast friend. Charles Lar
kyns, he felt himself entitled to assume
patronizing airs TO the freshmen who
then entered and even sought to impose
upon their credulity in ways which his
own personal experience suggested.
II was clear that Mr.. Verdant Green
had made his farewell bow as an Oxford
freshman.
His Constant Partner.
We will not dwell longer upon Verdant's
college career, amusing and instructive
as IL was, but come to the time when.
being well along in his course, he went
down to Green Manor to keep the Christ
mas holidays-
Charles Larkyns went to the rectory
to keep the holidays also, and took with
him as his guest the Versatile Bouncer.
Also as guests at the rectory were the
Misses Honeywood. cousins Of Charles
LarlSyns, their father, landed proprie-
tor in Northern Northumberland. Bloom
ing girls they were, Miss Patty and Miss
Kitty, children Of the rector's only sis
ter.
The Manor Green saw such revels as
had not been seen there for many a
long year. For miles around the gentry
came 20 the festivities. Every night.
in the language OF the playbills. there
were singing. dancing and variety OF
other entertainments
Verdant performed more polkas in that,
alas, too short Christmas week than
he had before in his whole life-and Miss
Patty Honeywood was his constant
partner and instructor. ...
She was both good natured and per-
severing. allowed Verdant to dance on
her feet without a murmur- had watch
fully guided him when he was In danger
OF collision with foreign bodies.
The Last Night of December.
It is an old saying that gratitude begets
love. Verdant had already reached the
first part of this dangerous creation, for
he felt grateful to Miss Patty for the
trouble she had bestowed upon his awk-
wardness.
It Is the last night of December. The
old year, worn out and spent with age.
rFaa in ahaafa NJ annU