The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-05-02

her feet and hands at liberty, and ber
heart ut rest 2"
"l hope | am not OBTAINING YOU mad
am!" | stammered at last, for want OF
something better to say. "Ifyou will al
low me, l will take a book and amuse
myself till"
MY lady could scarcely repress a start
of astonishment. which plainly said, what
on earth does the man man She did
not say this verbally. however, but sup.
piled its place with, "Did you wish to see
Mr.. Robinson particularly
"Why, my dear madam" l replied,
with faint attempt at a smile, 81 certain
ly did expect to see Mr.. Robinson he
told me that two o'clock precisely was his
diuner hour"
This time there was no Disgusting her
real feelings-Mrs. Robinson's brow dark
ened like midnight. 1t was plain enough
now-what | had only surmised before
that Mr.. Robinson had not thought it ne
cessary to give his lady due notice of his
expected guest. Perhaps he had forgot
ten the invitation he himself had given
two hours before. Most likely so, thought
for the hands Of II dial on the mantle piece
were pointing to half past two, and no
MIR. Robinson.
al am afraid" l said "that there has
been some slight mistake. Mr.. Rob
inson certainly asked me 10 dine with him
at two O'clock; but perhaps it is not con.
venient. And as he probably has been
detained" - and | arose and put my
hand on my hat. | had bitter left
this unsaid !; it put the Gaping stone
on my forfeiture Of Mrs. Robinson's good.
Nobody likes to have the countenance
read faithfully al all times.
PRAY, don't think of such think as
leaving" Mrs Robinson exclaimed with a
grim smile. "Most happy to see you at
our poor table. l dare say Mr.. Robinson
will be in soon; most lkel- as you say,
he has been detained in his office, he Of
ten is. Perhaps you will be so kind as
10 excuse me for few minutes. Mr.. Rob
inson won't he out long, lam sure" And
without waiting for n reply, the lady dis
appeared more hastily than she had ca
tered the parlor.
Thinks to m: myself "Here's pret-
ty mess If could but make my exit
unseen, would" And l blushed to nv
fingers ends till they fairly tingled.-
Hang all family dinuers, and the men
who invite their friends to them!' | un
consciously calculated, as reseated my
sell in a mood Of desperate resignation.
Friend Robinson's house was not very
large one, and it was not long before |
heard distinctly enough, the opening and
shutting of doors not over and above gent
ly. The street door was opened and shut,
and opened and shut, again; but no Mr..
Robinson. Soon afterwards, from the
region below, fancied l heard the sounds
of fixing and frying or something akin
to it, Then in the dining room adjoin.
ing the parlor in which sat-not
couch Of roses, by any means-I heard
the creaking of an uplifted table flap, the
rattling of plates, the Gathering of knives,
forks and spoons and the jingling of fglas-
ses.
"Comc," thought I; at will be all
right at last. But that Robinson-where
can the man have got to?"
Thanks be praised; the door bell rings
at last-a loud, sharp ring, which none
but the master Of the house is privileged
to givo-and enter Mr.. Robinson.
ala, you have been here before me, /,
sce," said he, trying, as it struck me, to
look unconcerned; IL have been detained,
but, better late than never" md he ap
piled his hand to the bell.
Tell your mistress that am come in,
Sarah," said he, when the girl entered, Fl
cry red in the face. DINNER is ready,
supposef"
will be ready in quarter of an hour, sir"
said the dam$el.
"Bless me! Does your mistress know
what time it is:" exclaimed Mr.. Robin
son, looking at his watch, which, as we'll
as the dial, pointed to quarter Of three.
Mistress wants to see you, sir, for min
ute, if you please" continued the girl, eva
ding her masters question altogether be-
side the mark.
Mr.. Robinson was obedient to the sum-
mons, and disappeared.
1t is no use-if people will talk loud, it
Is absurd. in them to expect other people
will put their fingers to their ears told
you just now that friend Robinson's house
was not large one. And it was very
sonorious one. Now, these circumstances
put together, will cxonerate me from the
charge Of listening-which did not
The fact is, could not help hearing
First, gentle murmuring in a female
voice, from some place below stairs
sounding very much like remonstrance,
but the import of which could not, and
| did not particularly wish to make out
though might possibly guess at it.
Concluded next week
LEAsURE HoURs.-In what way can