The Second Generation

nt to Theodore Hargrave. It was illuminative of her real character and of her real mind as to Ross, and as to Dory also, that, instead of being crushed by her brother's look of d

ticulate; "and a mighty poor joke it is. Dory! Why,

ominous tone, with that in her eyes which should in pru

ng some day, he'll never have anything or any standing in society. I thought you had pride, Del. Just wait till I see him! I'll let him know what I think of

ve has the advantage of any man we know. He's got more in his head any minute than you or your kind in your whole lives. And he is honorable and a gentleman-a real gentleman, not a pretender. You aren't big enough to unde

n leading up to, with all the queer talk you've be

st self. "I believe it is!" she exclaimed, as if dazed. Then the light seemed to go, seemed to have been only imag

o about the world and get education and manners and culture, and then to come

uddenly restored. "But mentally, Artie, dear, he's been distances and to pl

lost you

; "on the contrary, I've put my

th me," he retorted. He

ome myster

him, I felt a little uneasy. You see, I've had a long course at the same school that has made such a gentleman of you. But, as the result of your talk and the thoughts

arreling about?" Mrs. Ranger was hurrying through the room on her way to the

" almost shouted Arthur. "Del here

d short. "Gracious

first at Arthur, then at Del. She looked long at Del, who was proudly erect and was at her most bea

"but we-we've broken our engagem

emed to buzz with the thinking and feeling. Then,

th mother, Artie,"

e hurt you, Del. But I meant every word, only not in anger or

marry Theresa Howland. And I've engaged myself to Dory-partly to cover it, but not altogether, I hope. Not principally, I believe. I'm sick and ashamed of the kind of things I've been so crazy abou

like Ross, though I never would have said anything, as you seemed to want him, and your father had always been set on it, and thought so high of him. He laid himself out to make your pa think he was a fine character and full of business-and I ain't denying that he's smart, mighty smart-too smart to suit me." A long reflect

han to flourish. "Teachin' 's worse than preachin'"-Del began to slip dismally down from the height to which Arthur's tactless outburst had blown her. Down, and down, and down, like a punctured balloon-gently, but steadily, dishearteningly. She was ashamed of herself, as ashamed as any reader of these chronicles is for her-any reader with one standard

t's no use to risk telling him. A shock might-might make him worse." She started up. "I must go

though not a whit less determined. "I ought to admire him more

lthy hand, lifted her from her chair, drew her tiptoeing and breathless toward the room in which her father was sitting. She paused at its threshold, looked. There was Hiram, in his chair by the w

Mother!"

. She was moaning, "I b

ou my u